Park of China
Overview
| Designation | US National Park |
| Location | Northern Colorado, USA |
| Latitude, longitude | 40.4, -105.7 Google Maps |
| Nearby sites | Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 264km, Great Sand Dunes National Park 295km Search nearby |
| Highlights | High mountains |
| Top sights | Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake |
| Wildlife | Mountain lions, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears |
| Area | 265,800 acres |
| Highest point | 14,259 ft |
| Nearby cities | Denver |
| Official website | http://www.nps.gov/romo/ |
| Themes | Mountain, Snow Mountain, Forest, Lake, Stream, Glacier, Peak, Wildlife, Hiking & climbing, Scenic drives, Alpine meadows |
About
Rocky Mountain National Park lies in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, about 100 miles northwest of Denver. The Continental Divide runs through it. It covers 266,000 acres (over 1,000 km²). The highest peak, Longs Peak, rises to 14,259 ft.
The park has about 360 miles of trails, 150 lakes, 450 miles of streams, 60 peaks over 12,000 ft and several small glaciers.
A quarter of the park lies above the tree line.
US 34, also called Trail Ridge Road, crosses the park and the mountains. Its highest point is 12,183 ft (3,713 m).
Visitor map
Travel tips
Getting there: The nearest large airport is Denver International; Estes Park, the town at the eastern entrance, is about two hours by road. The west-side town of Grand Lake is linked to it by Trail Ridge Road.
Reservations: In the busy summer and autumn season the park usually requires a timed-entry reservation; the hours and the areas covered change from year to year, and the Bear Lake Road corridor is controlled more tightly.
Shuttles: In summer free shuttles run from the Estes Park visitor center and the Bear Lake Road park-and-ride to the Bear Lake area, where parking is very limited.
Sights: Around Bear Lake a group of short trails leads to several alpine lakes. Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest continuous roads in the United States, reaching about 3,713 m, with tundra overlooks along the way.
The road: Trail Ridge Road closes in winter and is usually open end to end only from late May to mid-October, depending on snow.
Time: Two days cover the Bear Lake area and Trail Ridge Road; climbing Longs Peak (4,346 m) takes a full day and a very early start.
Season: September and October are the elk rut, when animals are often seen around Estes Park; wildflowers peak in July; in winter only some roads stay open.
Where to stay: Hotels are mostly in Estes Park and Grand Lake; the park has a few campgrounds, which should be booked ahead in season.
Travel information
Day trip: visit Bear Lake first, then take Trail Ridge Road (US 34) over the mountains to Grand Lake, or drive to Farview Curve and turn back.
Getting there: the park is about 100 miles northwest of Denver. From Denver, take I-25 north, then US 36 west. Free shuttle buses run in the park in summer.
Road conditions: the middle section of US 34 through the park is closed from mid-October to the end of May. Old Fall River Road is one-way and closed from October to the end of June.
Lodging: there are hotels in Estes Park, on the east side of the park, and in Grand Lake, on the west side.
Safety: the park is at high altitude. In the alpine zone, watch for altitude sickness and keep warm. Also beware of lightning, fast water, avalanches and wildlife.
Map
