Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park


After leaving southern Colorado and Great Sand Dunes National Park, we travelled eastward and merged onto I 25 North - destination Estes Park, Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park.  We had a site reserved at Glacier Basin Campground in the eastern portion of the Park. We made a directional mistake in Estes Park and wound up taking a more scenic drive to the campground, but we got there and after checking in at the Ranger Station, we set up our home for the next three days in a breathtaking mountain meadow.  Directly across from our site, unencumbered by other campsites, we could view several glaciers amid bare rock peaks towering over 10,000 feet.

view from Trail Ridge Road - RMNP

Our first morning at RMNP, we set out to travel to the western side of the Park. There are very few roads in the Park and only two that take you via the North side (both of which merge half way through). The road we chose that day was Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road winds it way up through the mountains and at its' peak, breaks out above the tree line and presents views of the alpine tundra from 12,183 ft! It is a twisty, steep climb and descent, but nicely paved road the entire way to the western corner of the Park. We enjoyed the drive, paused at the Alpine Visitor Center at the apex of the drive and wound down to Grand Lake.

Elk herd near Alpine Visitor Center along Trail ridge Road

 On our way, just North of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, we pulled over to enjoy Moose watching! Across the meadow, about 100yds distant, was a mother Moose and two calves! Great fun!

Moose and calf in trees RMNP (center of frame)

Later, down at the Visitor's Center, we shared our Moose viewing with one of the Rangers who was glad to have the info. While chatting with the Ranger, I mentioned my surprise at there was not a classic lodge in a National Park. She informed me that there was,  just a mile or so down the road. Now outside the Park boundary. Grand Lake Lodge is a classic place with a fabulous front porch. Down the road we went and after talking with the staff at the lodge, were permitted to partake of a nice breakfast buffet on the front porch with Cooper and CJ lying beneath our log furniture seats! A view of the lake, quaking Aspens close by and a hummingbird added to the experience. Very nice.

view from Grand Lake Lodge RMNP

The drive back to Glacier Basin Campground took half the afternoon and as we passed the Alpine Visitor Center, we were glad we had stopped in the morning. The parking lot was packed, with traffic backed up over a 1/4 mile trying to get a parking space. Rocky Mountain NP is very popular and we were at the height of tourist season. The Park gets busy very quickly. Best to get up and get going to the things you want to see as they can become closed off til enough people leave to free up space for more visitors.

Alpine views RMNP

That afternoon, we took our lounge chairs across the driveway from our site and sat in the shade, read books and enjoyed to view. Not too hard take! The campground was full the entire time we were there, including the group sites. Large numbers of teenage hikers, families and some of us older folk were all taking in the beauty of RMNP. Again, as stated in earlier posts, some of the places get busy very quickly and reservations are advisable (recreation.gov).

view from our site! we set our chairs under those trees!

Our final day in RMNP was to be filled with several things. First, not far from Glacier Basin Campground is Bear Lake, a nice, level 1/2 mile loop around the lake. Pets are not allowed, so I stayed back at the parking lot with Cooper and CJ while Cindy hiked the loop.

Bear Lake - RMNP

Then we continued farther into the Park and picked up Old Fall River Road. This is the original road built in the early 1900's for motor traffic to the climb along the old Indian trail into the top of the Park. Today it s a one way drive, on dirt and gravel for 9 miles finishing at the Alpine Visitor Center. Beautiful, steep at times with numerous switchbacks and quite fun (there were Honda Civics driving it).

starting up Old Fall River Road - 9 miles to go!

After completing our drive, we exited the Park and drove into Estes Park and the Public Library. I needed some good WiFi and had several blog issues to finalize and publish. We spent about an hour and a half there and managed to escape the serious tourist congestion to return to our RV.

Early the next morning we were hooking up the Jeep, pulling in the slides and heading down the road towards our next destination. Rocky Mountain National Park is GREAT! If you are thinking of visiting there plan on 3 days, get out early to what you want to see and enjoy!!


until then, take care!


Cooper and CJ