Rocky Mountain National Park spans the Continental Divide in Colorado and is known for its incredible wildlife, stunning mountain landscapes, and endless outdoor activities. It is one of the best places to visit in Colorado in the summer. Planning a trip to RMNP can be daunting, given the many choices of things to do and places to stay. Our guide will help you plan a memorable 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We recommend products we have personally used or verified. Read the full disclosure here.
Table of Contents
- Top 5 Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer
- Rocky Mountain National Park 2 Day Itinerary
- Day 1 Morning: Bear Lake Corridor Hikes and Walks
- Day 1 Lunch: Sprague Lake Picnic Area
- Day 1 Afternoon: Visitor Centers and Ranger-Led Programs
- Day 1 Evening: Astronomy Programs and Star Gazing
- Day 2 Morning: Trail Ridge Road
- Day 2 Lunch: Alpine Visitor Center or Lake Irene
- Day 2 Afternoon: West Side of the Park and Grand Lake
- Day 2 Evening: Lake View Sunset from Grand Lake Lodge’s Porch
- Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
- How to Get Timed Entry Permits and Passes
- Where to Enter and Exit Rocky Mountain National Park
- Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Essential Hiking Tips
If you don’t have time to read this now, pin it for later!
Top 5 Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer
1. Scenic Drive Along Trail Ridge Road
No visit to the park is complete without driving along Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest continuous paved road in North America. It tops out at a whopping 12,183 ft (3,713 m). Trail Ridge Road offers panoramic views of the Rockies and is only open when they can keep the road clear of snow. This is typically from Memorial Day to mid-October, though in 2024, the road didn’t open until early June. Check the park website for status before heading out. Our 2-day itinerary below includes information about where to stop for the best views, photos, and hikes on this scenic drive.
2. Hikes and Walks
One of the park’s main attractions is hiking, with 300 miles of trails available to explore. Some of the more popular trails in the Bear Lake Corridor include easier hikes such as Sprague, Bear, and Alberta Falls trails. More moderate and challenging hikes in the area include Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Mills Pond, and Sky Pond. If you don’t have a Bear Lake Corridor entry permit, don’t worry, you still have plenty of great options. For an easier hike, consider Adam’s Falls on the west side of the part. Moderate to Challenging choices are Ouzel Falls, Cascade Falls, and Chasm Lake. See our top 12 day hikes in RMNP for detailed recommendations.
3. Wildlife Spotting
The best times to see wildlife in the park are early morning and dusk. Bighorn sheep, moose, and elk are frequently seen in the park. Don’t miss a visit in the fall, when you’re likely to hear the elk bugling during mating season. Check in at the visitor’s centers to get recommendations on where to see animals in the park on any given day. Always follow park guidelines for keeping your distance from the animals, both to protect you and the animals. Some of the places where they are frequently seen are:
- Elk: Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows
- Bighorn sheep: Horseshoe Park
- Moose: Kawuneeche Valley (west side of the park), Grand Lake (East and North inlet trails), Sheep Lake (east side of the park). You’ll often see moose in and around Grand Lake as well.
- Marmots: all over the ridge of Trail Ridge Road.
4. Photography
Many visitors come to Rocky Mountain National Park to capture photos of the wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Sunrise and sunsets are popular times to capture photos at Dream Lake and Emerald Lake and Trail Ridge Road is another hot spot. Consider signing up for a photography tour in the park during sunset or at night to catch some of the best shots.
5. Ranger-Led Programs and Visitor Centers
The park’s ranger-led programs are a great way for the whole family to engage and learn about the park. The park’s summer programs typically include junior ranger programs, guided hikes (including wildflowers and alpine tundra hikes), birding, fishing, and more. The night sky and astronomy program held in Beaver Meadows is a perennial favorite.
There are 4 primary visitor centers in the park, with additional information outposts and historical sites. The big 4 are:
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center near Estes Park
- Fall River Visitor Center near Estes Park
- Kawuneeche Visitor Center near Grand Lake
- Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road
Rocky Mountain National Park 2 Day Itinerary
This itinerary starts in Estes Park and ends in Grand Lake, allowing you to see the highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park in 2 days. Target getting a 6-8 am or 8-10 am timed entry permit including the Bear Lake Corridor for day 1. You won’t need a Bear Lake Corridor specific timed entry permit for day 2 (see more information on timed entry permits below). This itinerary requires a car, since the park shuttles don’t cover all of this route. We use and recommend renting via Discover Cars if you need a rental car.
Day 1 Morning: Bear Lake Corridor Hikes
Start your 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park by entering through the Beaver Meadows Entrance. To avoid crowds, start early and visit the Bear Lake Corridor first. It’s generally easiest to park at the Bear Lake park & ride lots. Catch the free Bear Lake shuttle from there to the trailhead. The shuttle stops at Bierstadt Lake trailhead, then Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and finally at Bear Lake Trailhead. Visitors to Sprague Lake take the Moraine Park shuttle (be sure it is headed in the direction of Sprague Lake first). There are plenty of rangers directing people to buses who can answer any questions.
Walk or hike one or more of the Bear Lake Corridor trails. The Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake hike is a perennial favorite for visitors who would like a moderate hike (the Lake Haiyaha segment is an optional add-on). If you prefer having a guide for your hike, consider this 4 hour guided tour that includes timed entry permits.
Our recommended trails include:
| Alberta Falls | Easy |
| Sprague Lake | Easy, Accessible |
| Bear Lake | Easy |
| Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha | Moderate |
| Mills Lake | Moderate, Glacier Gorge Trailhead |
| Bierstadt Lake | Moderate, Bierstadt Lake Trailhead |
| Sky Pond | Challenging |
Day 1 Lunch: Sprague Lake Picnic Area
Wrap up your morning with a picnic lunch either during your hike or afterwards at Sprague Lake. There is a large picnic area at the trailhead, and many people enjoy fishing or playing in the water in the creek (when the water levels are safe). There is often parking available at Sprague Lake, but the Moraine Park shuttle also runs frequently from the Park & Ride.
Day 1 Afternoon: Visitor Centers and Ranger-Led Programs
Stop by one of the many visitor centers and participate in one of their educational programs. Look for programs in the Bear Lake Corridor or the east side of the park. Check out the latest schedule before you go. The fishing, junior ranger, and RockyLAB programs are almost always a hit with kids.
Some of the recommended stops on the east side of the park are the Moraine Discovery Center, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and Fall River Visitor Center.
If you’re looking for a more active afternoon, consider doing additional hikes or take a trail ride in the park.
Day 1 Evening: Astronomy Programs and Star Gazing
A fantastic way to wrap up your 1st of 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park is to participate in the night sky and astronomy program held in Beaver Meadows. On many summer Friday evenings, rangers or volunteers set up telescopes near the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. On select Tuesdays, the Moraine Discovery Center has telescopes and other family activities. The 2024 Astronomy Festival offers 2 days of evening astronomy and family fun at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead, August 2-3, 2024.
If you prefer to stargaze on your own, Sprague Lake, Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Road are great options.
Day 2 Morning: Trail Ridge Road
Day 2 starts with a drive up Trail Ridge Road, which reaches 12,183 ft (3,713 m) in elevation. Consider participating in a tundra nature walk with the rangers, held most summer mornings at Medicine Bow Curve. On Thursdays, the rangers offer a longer alpine adventure walk at Forest Canyon Overlook. If you prefer to hike on your own, some of our recommended trails with spectacular views are:
| Toll Memorial Trail | Easy |
| Tombstone Ridge via Ute Trail | Moderate |
| Mount Ida Trail | Challenging |
There are a number of overlooks to stop at, where visitors only need to go a step out of the car for stunning views and photos. On the way up to the Alpine Visitor Center, check out Many Parks Curve, with its panoramic views over Horseshoe Park and Bighorn Mountain. At the Forest Canyon Overlook, on a clear day, there are great views of Long’s Peak as well as the forest canyon below.
Day 2: Lunch at the Alpine Visitor Center or Lake Irene
The Alpine Visitor Center has a café, which is a nice option for a coffee or light lunch. Many of the overlooks can be beautiful picnic spots if it’s not too windy. Alternatively, picnic at Lake Irene (on the descent towards the west side of the park).
Day 2 Afternoon: West Side of the Park and Grand Lake
Descend through the Kawuneeche Valley towards Grand Lake. Some of the top spots we’d recommend stopping on the way are:
- Lake Irene Trail: an easy 0.8 mile trail to a mountain lake, with fishing and picnic spots.
- Coyote Valley Trail: an easy 1.9 mile wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail along the creek, with beautiful views across the valley. We’ve spotted moose many times on the trail and near the trailhead.
- Holzwarth Historic Site: there is a ranger talk about homesteading in the afternoons held at the Fleshuts Cabin at the parking area. Walk another 1/2 mile to explore to the historic site itself.
- Kawuneeche Visitor Center: check out the many ranger programs held on the west side of the park, whether fishing, critter chats, or Recreate Like a Ranger.
Day 2 Additional Grand Lake Activities
If you still have time left in the afternoon, explore the area in and around Grand Lake. Consider adding a day to the trip to spend a full day in Grand Lake. Some of our recommended activities are:
- Adams Falls Trail: an easy 0.6 mile hike to the falls, with an option to continue on the more challenging East Inlet Trail.
- Cascade Falls Trail: a moderate 6 mile trail leads to beautiful waterfalls from the North Inlet Trailhead.
- Kayaking or paddle boarding on Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir: the Mountain Paddlers is conveniently located right next to the town beach offering kayaks and Rocky Mountain Paddleboard is located in the dirt lot just below the Western Riviera Motel.
- Pontoon boat rentals on Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir. Our favorite rental spot is Trail Ridge Marina on Shadow Mountain Reservoir. You can take the boats through the channel to explore Grand Lake.
- Have an ice cream at Miyauchi’s Snack Bar after taking a dip in the cold waters at the beach.
- Shopping at the cute shops along the boardwalk in town.
Day 2 Evening: Lake View Sunset on Grand Lake Lodge’s Porch
Wrap up your 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park with a visit to the Grand Lake Lodge. Whether you opt to stay here, have dinner at the Huntington House Tavern, or just have a drink on the front porch, this is the spot to watch the sunset over Grand Lake.
Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park
There are countless options for places to stay for your visit. We’d recommend staying near Estes Park for the night before you start this itinerary and after day 1. After day 2, you can either drive the 2.5 hours back to Denver or Boulder, or stay in the Grand Lake area on the west side.
Lodging on the East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
| Camping options in the park (east side) | During the 2024 summer, campsites are $35 per night. Aspenglen and Glacier Basin are available through a reservation system. This opens up 6 months in advance, and there are some short-term release sites made available (see the Recreation.gov site for details as this varies by campground). Moraine Park Campground is closed for summer 2024. Longs Peak Campground is for tents only and is first come first serve. |
| YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park | The YMCA is just outside the park entrance and offers camp style lodge rooms, cabins, yurts, camping, and even reunion cabins. They have a full set of activities to enjoy, such as archery, a craft center, pickleball, and guided hikes. You can easily spend a full day or more just exploring the programs and activities. It is slightly more expensive to camp here compared to the park, but keep in mind that a large set of activities are included. |
| Rams Horn Village Resort Estes Park | Rams Horn is also just outside the park entrance and offers luxury cabin rentals, with picnic areas, hammocks, outdoor pool, and numerous hot tubs. |
Lodging on the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
| Camping options in the park (west side) | Timber Creek Campground is available through a reservation system. This opens up 6 months in advance, and there are some short-term release sites also made available (see the Recreation.gov site for details). |
| Winding River Resort | Winding River Resort sits just outside the west park entrance and is a great spot if you enjoy horses. They’ve got trail rides, pony rides, and hay rides. While there, visit the carriage and sleigh museum and the animal farm. You can rent covered wagons, camper cabins, lodge rooms, or cabins. If you prefer to camp, choose from tent and RV sites or horse camping. |
| Grand Lake Lodge | The Grand Lake Lodge has a classic parks lodge feel (though it sits outside of the park’s entrance). Lodging options range from refurbished historic cabins and half-cabins (connecting queen rooms available) and the new tents (a bit more glamping than camping). The outdoor pool is on the patio with beautiful views of the lakes. |
| Newly remodeled log cabin in Grand Lake | This highly rated 2 bedroom log cabin has stunning views and is walking distance to the town of Grand Lake. |
| YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch | Similar to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, the Snow Mountain Ranch site between Granby and Tabernash is a 30 minute drive from Grand Lake. With camping, yurts, lodge rooms, cabins, and reunion cabins, you’ll have plenty of lodging options to fit your preference. There is fun hiking on site, archery, ziplines, a craft center, and various programs to enjoy. In winter, the nordic center is one of the best in the area. |
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
The ideal time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is between June and September. This is when the weather is best for hikes and Trail Ridge Road is typically open. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, consider a visit in May or October. The park is one of the best places to see fall colors in Colorado, especially between mid-September to the 1st week in October (though this varies by year). For those who enjoy winter sports, visiting RMNP in winter is wonderful for snowshoeing, winter hikes cross-country skiing, and winter photography.
Keep in mind that Trail Ridge Road, which connects the east and west sides of the park, is only open when it is clear of snow. When it’s closed, you can visit the east side of the park and drive around to the west side though this is not ideal. The drive takes 3.5-4.5 hours. It’s better than to pick one side of the park to visit.
Timed Entry Permits and Passes
Park Entry Fees
2024: Day pass $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass $35 per vehicle. $80 for an annual pass, which works for all US national parks. Other pass options are available.
Entry of pets into the park: pets are allowed in the park, but must be kept on a 6-foot or shorter leash. They are allowed ONLY in established roads, parking areas, campgrounds, and picnic areas.
2024 free entry days:
Monday, January 15—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Saturday, April 20—First Day of National Park Week
Wednesday, June 19—Juneteenth
Sunday, August 4—The Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 28—National Public Lands Day
Monday, November 11—Veterans Day
Timed Entry System
RMNP has 2 different types of timed entry permits, one to get you into the park, and one to enter the park and the popular Bear Lake Road Corridor.
General park entry: May and October 14, 2024, you need a permit to enter the park between 9 am and 2 pm. No timed entry permit is needed outside of these hours. You do still need a park entry pass.
General park entry + Bear Lake Road: May and October 20, 2024, you need a special timed entry permit to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between 5 am and 6 pm. You can enter without a timed entry permit outside of these hours, though you need a park entry pass.
How to Get a Timed Entry Permit: All timed entry permits are purchased through the Recreation.gov site or their mobile app. You can buy advanced timed entry permits one month ahead of time (e.g., June 1st for July permits, July 1st for August permits). If you can’t get an advanced permit, you can try to get a last minute permit. The park allocates 40% of their permits to this last minute category. At 7 pm of each day (MDT), last minute permits become available on the Recreation.gov site for the following day.
Where to Enter and Exit Rocky Mountain National Park
There are 4 main driving entrances to the park. Our 2-day itinerary starts in Estes Park and exits in Grand Lake. Estes Park is less than an hour from Boulder and less than 1.5 hours from Denver by car. Grand Lake is about 2.5 hours from Denver on average.
| Beaver Meadows | Accessed from Estes Park, Beaver Meadows is the primary entrance that most visitors use to access Bear Lake Corridor, Moraine Park, and the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center. |
| Fall River | If you are not planning to enter Bear Lake Corridor, consider using the Fall River entrance. This is convenient to Trail Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, Horseshoe Park, and Aspenglen Campground. |
| Wild Basin | This lesser used entrance is located about 7 miles south of Estes Park, and can be used to access numerous waterfall hikes, as well as snowshoeing in winter. You are not able to purchase passes here. |
| Grand Lake | The Grand Lake entrance is the western entrance to the park. The entrance can also be used to access the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. |
Visiting in Winter? Check out our helpful tips on Renting a Car in Colorado for Your Ski Trip!
Essential Hiking Tips
- Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out and watch for rapid weather changes. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline.
- Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
- Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
- Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
- First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.
- Check our post on Day Hike Essentials for a more comprehensive list of items to bring on your day hike.
If you liked this post, pin it for later!
Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
[…] County that should be on your list when you visit this majestic part of Colorado. All hikes within Rocky Mountain National Park are noted with “RMNP.” Be sure to check out the hiking tips to ensure you are well […]
[…] it can be done as a day trip from Denver (with a 1.5 hour drive each way), we recommend spending 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Don’t forget to reserve your timed entry permit before you […]
I wish we had this itinerary when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park years ago! We loved the park and thought it was spectacular. It looks like we could have enjoyed it even more with these suggestions. Pinning it for our next trip there.
Thanks!
Thank you for posting so many beautiful photos! It’s not the same thing as being there, for sure, but at least I could imagine I’m there. What a gorgeous place!
Thank you
[…] Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has 300+ miles of hiking trails, ranging from wheelchair- and stroller-accessible to very challenging. Most hikes, such as Emerald Lake, Bear Lake, and Sprague Lake, go around or lead to scenic mountain lakes. In addition to hiking, the park is known for its scenic drives, wildlife viewing, nature and wildlife photography, and incredible ranger-led programs. […]
[…] Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has 300+ miles of hiking trails, ranging from wheelchair- and stroller-accessible to very challenging. Most hikes, such as Emerald Lake, Bear Lake, and Sprague Lake, go around or lead to scenic mountain lakes. In addition to hiking, the park is known for its scenic drives, wildlife viewing, nature and wildlife photography, and incredible ranger-led programs. […]
You have so many stunning national parks in the US! I´m planning a roadtrip and want to visit as many as possible! This is a great way to spend 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Thank you, hope you can visit many of these parks.
I always new Rocky Mountain NP is beautiful, but I didn’t realize how many things there are to do in the area. Stargazing would absolutely be at the top of my list for a visit! Even if I was tired from the day from wildlife spotting haha
I feel like you can always make time for star gazing, even if it’s just on your own instead of one of the organized sessions.
i can see why you said this is one of the best places to visit in Colorado during the summer (looks like it could be just as awesome during winter too)- i’d LOVE for the opportunity to visit some day!
Thank you. It’s absolutely beautiful in winter, though Trail Ridge Road isn’t open. Still plenty to see and do at that time of year.
[…] days ago21 comments Share this article FacebookXRedditPinterestEmail Previous article 2 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Next article How to Pick the 10 Best Day Hikes in Grand County, Colorado Home » Blog » […]
Your photos look amazing! I loved my trip to the Rockies and I can’t wait to go back! Thank you for this guide.
Thanks for the feedback!
Loved visiting the Rockies but it was too many years ago! This article reminded me of all the fund times we had. So thank you. Really hope to visit again with my kids.
Thanks, hope you have a chance to visit.
I just loved Rocky Mountain National Park and would love to return. We didn’t have enough time there and your post shows all we can do if we had a bit more time to spend exploring. It’s so beautiful!
I agree. It’s a place you can definitely visit numerous times and still not see all there is to see.
This article is so helpful, I plan on traveling to every national park and will definitely be coming back to this when I get a chance to go there!
I’d love to visit every national park, I have quite a few to go though!
Did you actually seek the elk and bighorn sheep? Quite awesome! Thanks for including info on the entrances. I can’t believe how hard it is to find how to get into places sometimes.
The elk we see quite often–the best is when you can hear them bugling in the fall during mating season. We see bighorn sheep a little less often, but yes, we definitely see them.
This park sounds huge. I love the idea of a night-time astronomy program. I definitely would be on the lookout for the wildlife too.
The nighttime astronomy program is always a hit, as are the wildlife–great choices.
The lake picnic area is so pretty, amazing wildlife to spot and awesome scenery to catch during the hike..
It’s always such a wonderful experience to see local wildlife life in their natural habitat, and seeing the night sky would be amazing. Sounds like many great hiking trails as well.
Thanks for the feedback!
What a beautiful park!
(Are there any hiking trails that go over the range, to be able to see the difference in habits on either side of the Continental Divide?)
There are quite a few trails up through the alpine tundra. One of the coolest trails is a long distance trail called the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It isn’t all up on the continental divide but portions are. I haven’t hiked the whole thing, just portions of it.
This is a great itinerary, I love that you included the different levels and entry points. I will use this when I head out there
Thank you!
I would love to visit the Rocky Mountains someday!
Hope you’re able to visit!
Fantastic guide! This looks like the perfect outdoor adventure. I’d love to do some stargazing here!
It is so dark at night in the park that star gazing is incredible!
I do love mountains and have been to the Rockies in Canada and these are now on my bucket list, great tips by the way wish I followed them before I went to the Canadian ones lol.
I need to spend more time in the Canadian Rockies!
What a magical experience., particularly seeing the animals in their natural habitats.
Thanks, it is wonderful seeing the moose and elk in particular.
I really appreciate details you have put in – Especially how you have mentioned the difficulty levels. Not everyone can take the same trail- I always love your pictures,
Thank you!
The Park Rangers at National Parks are incredible! Love that they’re highlighted in this itinerary.
The ranger programs are such a hit with kids and are free, and so many people don’t take advantage of them.
This is such a well thought out way to get the most out of the trip to Rocky National Park. I’d love to see the wildlife up close and hiking one of the many trails.
Thank you!
I didn’t realize there were so many things to do here! and these photos are beautiful. will definitely refer back to your post when I’m finally able to visit!
Great! It is a beautiful park!
What an amazing activity list for what to see and where to hike at Rocky Mountain National Park. I have until October until my annual “America the Beautiful” National Parks pass needs to be renewed. I’m adding this park to my list since I want to see waterfalls and I still want to see a big horn sheep. I was on the lookout for them at Joshua Tree National Park and didn’t see any.
Summer is a great time to go, but if you can visit in September-October, you’ll see the leaves changing colors and it’s a bit less crowded.
A photography tour is something I’ve never even thought of doing! That sounds incredible in a place like this. And I bet seeing the stars is just something else.
The sunset and nighttime photography tour is wonderful, I’ve seen these offered in Moab too.
Wow! You’re so lucky you got to see a moose and big horn sheep! We didn’t get to see any wildlife on our visit 🙁 great post!
Sorry you didn’t see the moose or bighorn sheep. We visit quite a bit. I can’t say that we see them every time, but quite often.
I really wish I had the guts to do hiking like this!
Some of these are very manageable, like Sprague Lake and Bear Lake. Others are harder of course, but there’s something for everyone.
Me too!
Great advice ! We loved Rocky Mountain NP, although we only did the Emerald Lake area hikes.. we had younger children..you absolutely need reservations for cars, which helps with crowds…the surrounding towns looked welcoming and fun.. I need to plan more time inside the park in a couple of year.
The Bear Lake/Emerald Lake area is wonderful for little kids as you mention. Visiting when the kids are a bit older can be a lot of fun too.
I love your photography and pinned several pix. I think I would take your advice and stay a third day. It looks like too good a place to rush
Having 3 days would be ideal. You could easily make a week of it, but 3 days would give you plenty of time to explore I think.