Rocky Mountain National Park Camping Guide

RMNP Camping Guide

There are 5 drive-in campgrounds in the park open during the summer, one is open in the winter, restrictions apply. Backcountry camping requires a permit.

Reservations Accepted at these Campgrounds

First Come First Served Campgrounds – fill quickly on summer days

Campground Amenities

  • None of the campgrounds have electricity, water, or sewer hookups at RMNP camping sites.

  • There are NO RV hookups. Camp trailers and RVs are welcome at some sites so long as they meet camp size restrictions and are self-contained.

  • Potable water is seasonal

  • Flush toilets are seasonal

  • Food lockers are mandatory but seasonal.

  • Some have ice, firewood, and recycling but all seasonal.

Entering RMNP requires a Timed Entry Reservation. These become mandatory between May 27th and October 10th, 2022. This type of reservation is a combination of a Parks Pass/Entrance Fee plus a reservation with a service such as in-park camping, horseback riding or a tour.

Stay limits of 7 nights are in place from June 1st through September 30th. The limits extend to an additional 14 nights at the year-round campgrounds throughout the rest of the year. For further information, call 877-444-6777.

Backcountry RMNP Camping 

Backcountry camping at RMNP provides an exhilarating escape by allowing people to immerse themselves in an environment where they can have an opportunity to truly understand and appreciate nature’s beauty and natural value. 

The first step in planning your trip is to decide where you want to camp and for what length of time. As you plan your trip, take into consideration the physical condition of the least experienced member of your party, and the distance and elevation gain from the trailhead to your destination. 

You must have a backcountry permit to camp overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry. You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry office (beside the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on Highway 36, west of Estes Park). To minimize impact on the park’s resources, the number of permits issued is limited. 

There are many excellent resources on backcountry hiking and camping. Take the time to learn Leave No Trace principles, how to backpack safely, and how to care for the environment. Always remember this is your park. Its 269,723 acres are a resource for not only you, but for many future generations to come. 

 

Get Outside with the Rocky Mountain Nature Association

Classes & Tours

Since 1962, Rocky Mountain Field Seminars have offered outdoor educational adventures. With unprecedented access to Rocky Mountain National Park, the seminars offer a comprehensive curriculum of courses in natural history, photography, outdoor skills, cultural history, art and nature writing / field journaling. 

For Kids

Family fun activity days are a great way to kick-off your Estes Park vacation. Expert naturalists lead educational environmental explorations, demonstrate how to share nature with children in creative ways and provide ideas for planning the rest of your vacation. Leave the video games, computers and cell phones behind as you connect with your kids in the great outdoors.

Field Trips

Rocky Mountain Field Seminars designs custom adventures for families and groups. You can also pick the date and the subject of your adventure. Examples include a guided hike to teach safe hiking and leaving no trace, a look at re-vegetation of RMNP, ecology top-to-bottom along Trail Ridge Road or Animal Tales! Each course is designed to the needs of your group and instructors are great at leading cross-generational outdoor experiences.

Rocky Mountain Field Seminars is a program of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (RMNA), the nonprofit partner of Rocky Mountain National Park since 1931. RMNA also publishes materials of regional significance, operates more than 50 book stores (including the visitor center bookstores in the park), and provides leadership for philanthropic efforts to protect public lands, renovate historic structures, and construct trails and visitor facilities.

RMNP Educational Opportunities

Additional information on RMNP educational opportunities, including a complete course list, instructor biographies, participant stories, photographs, and trip planning information is available.

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