Rocky Mountain High -- 4 Tips For Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park
If you're visiting Colorado, a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is surely a must-do on your list. Like all the national parks throughout the country, Rocky Mountain is the perfect way to get out and enjoy nature with the entire family. Here are four tips for a trip during any season.
Stay in Estes Park. Get the full Rocky Mountain experience by staying at a hotel in the gateway town of Estes Park. This historic area offers plenty of lodging, dining, and shopping options and is resplendent with awesome mountain views. You may even be able to see some resident elk meandering around any of the quaint hotels and inns. If you want a grand overnight stay, consider checking into the incredibly gorgeous Stanley Hotel (made famous by The Shining). Just beware of ghosts in this historic hotel.
Drive on Trail Ridge Road. The highest fully paved road in the U.S. is in Rocky Mountain National Park, and it's a highlight of any visit to the area. At its crest, the road rises to nearly 11,500 feet and features a stark Alpine tundra backdrop. Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, marmots, elk, and ptarmigans. Due to its high elevation, though, Trail Ridge Road is closed in the winter, so check with the rangers before heading up.
Use the Shuttle. One of the best -- and certainly the most popular -- places to go hiking withing RMNP is the area around Bear Lake. Sitting at nearly 9,500 feet, Bear Lake is the trailhead for a series of small, beautiful lakes that are wildly popular hiking destinations. If you visit Bear Lake in the summer, you're going to run into a lot of traffic and congestion by mid-morning. So, instead of wasting time and frustration parking at the lake, take the convenient, free shuttle bus from Alpine Visitor Center or the nearby park-n-ride lot.
Go Hiking, but Carefully. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the country, which means you will encounter unique alpine terrain and high-elevation animals like bighorn sheep. The downside to this great park geography is that some visitors find the elevation to be a challenge. When you go hiking around the park, be sure to test your high-elevation limits by starting out conservatively and not wandering too far from civilization. If you're not used to the height, you may experience an inability to catch your breath or early fatigue. The weather can also be fickle, so dress in layers while out and about on the many small trails throughout the park.
Your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park will surely be one to remember -- no matter what your age or activity level -- if you follow these few easy tips. So, get out and enjoy what the unique geography of Colorado has to offer.