Best Camping Spots In Rocky Mountain National Park

Amenities For Rocky Mountain Np Campers

The best camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is really about unplugging and embracing your surroundings. For that reason, amenities are pretty limited in RMNP. Tent camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is very popular because there are large sections designated only to tents. Youll also find generous campsites that are very comfortable for campers and RVers.

Best For Camping In Rocky Mountain National Park

Moraine Park Campground

15 Minutes from Estes Park

8 Minutes into Rocky Mountain National Park

Camp Sites: 244 Total Sites. 49 Walk-to Sites. 101 Tent only. No hookups offered. In Winter, 64 sites are open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why it is Family Friendly: Moraine Park Campground offers the best of both worlds. It is near Estes Park for dining and activities, but located within the park to enjoy nature, views and access to the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park. Toilets and water only.

How to Book:

Mount Kidd Rv Park & Campground

Canadas number one camping destination is a campground with motorhome, trailer, and tent sites, tennis courts, a playground, & a common room. Mount Kidd RV Park & Campground fits that bill.

Year-round Kananaskis camping is offered in the Canadian Rockies. The Kananaskis Country Golf Course is next door, and Nakiska Ski Resort is only minutes away.

Are you ready to rumble in your RV to one of the most beautiful places on earth? Then visit Mount Kidd RV Park to get started on your next RV road trip.

Mount Kidd RV Park & Campground is one of the top camping destinations in Canada.

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Required Listening For Wilderness Permit Pickup

A reading of the Wilderness Camping Regulations for Rocky Mountain National Park.

Wilderness Offices

Overnight travel in the wilderness requires a permit. Permits and information are available at two Wilderness Offices within Rocky Mountain National Park. Please contact the Wilderness Office for updated information on the status of Wilderness campsites . For status of wilderness campsites on the west side of the park, call the Kawuneeche Visitor Center Wilderness Office at .

On the east side of the park, the Wilderness Office is adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

On the west side of the park, the Wilderness Office is located inside the Kawuneeche Visitor Center.

Current Notices

• There will be temporary closures in some wilderness campsites. Please contact the Wilderness Office for updated information on the status of wilderness sites.
• Park staff are removing some dead trees that have been killed by an outbreak of native pine beetles. The removal reduces risk associated with falling trees. Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly during times of high winds.
• We recommend that you visit the following topics:

Andrews Creek Camp Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

On your way to this cliff-hemmed, pine needle-strewn patch of alpine comfort, youll pass two deafening waterfalls, a glassy, peak-reflecting lake known charmingly as The Loch, and a shady aspen forest sprouting between boulders of pink granite. The glacier itself lays smoothed across charcoal-grey slopes just west of the remote Andrews Creek campsite and drips enough meltwater to send a creek burbling past the sites sunny clearing. Park at Glacier Gorge and follow signs to The Loch, then hike around the right side of its crystalline surface and 0.6 miles past its western end to find the right turnoff up Andrews Glacier Trail. Got some time? Turn this hike into a 6-day loop.

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Mather Campground Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is truly one of the most incredible parks in the United States. With stunning vistas, a variety of hiking trails, and unforgettable rock formations, this is a park everyone should visit in their lifetime. Mather Campground is located on the South Rim in the Grand Canyon Village, which has lodges, a visitor center, and more, and it accepts reservations up to six months out.

East Cape Sable Everglades National Park Florida

When you wake up to the sound of murmuring ocean waves here, it wont be because an errant beach ball smacked you in the face. Waving grasses and palm fronds edge this remote white sand beach on the southernmost tip of the lower 48. Paddle 11 miles west from the Flamingo Marina and round the point for a secluded site on the capes southwest-facing shore. Bonus: manatee and dolphin sightings abound along this undeveloped shoreline.

13. The Dune Field, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

This Salvador Dali dreamscape of rolling dunes lies the imposing shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Walk northwest through this trail-less wilderness from the visitor center. After a half mile, cross the Medano Creek bed and continue northwest to the 750-foot Star Dune. Camp on any flat spot north of Star Dune. Sunsets paint the dunes in orange and blue and gild the 14,000-foot crest of the mountains to the south. Youll sleep soundly on the sandy ground, but dont doze off too fast watch for shooting stars slicing the dome of the night sky. In the morning, head south to complete a 6.6-mile loop back through the main dune field.

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Best For Rvs And Amenities:

Spruce Lake RV Park

5 Minutes from Estes Park

16 Minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance

Camp Sites: Over 100 RV spots with 30 or 50 amp hookups

Why it is Family Friendly: Enjoy the Big Thompson River right from your spot and Spruce Lake stocked with trout right on the property. There are also 2 pet play areas, mini golf, hot tub, general store, shower and laundry facilities and a playground on property.

How to Book:

Reserve A Slice Of Heaven

Get immersed in nature within Rocky Mountain National Parks more than 124 peaks, 150 lakes, forests, meadows and rivers. Five campgrounds and backcountry camping offer tent campers access to the mountain views, waterfalls and wildlife wonders at elevations exceeding 8,000 feet. Tent camping within this magnificent corner of the United States requires planning. Although the seasonal Timber Creek and Longs Peak campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, most park tent sites fill by reservation. Make reservations up to six months in advance to secure a spot at the seasonal Aspenglen, Glacier Basin campgrounds or the year-round Moraine Park walk-in tent sites. Visit Recreation.gov or call 444-6777 to stake claim to a campsite. More than 200 backcountry campsites are located throughout the park, many within a short hike from trailheads. Select a backcountry individual or group site from the wilderness campsite map on the park website. Backcountry permits are issued online beginning March 1 of the current year, or at the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche visitor centers. Backcountry tent campers are limited to three consecutive nights at one campsite. From June 1 through September 30, stays are limited to seven nights total throughout the park.

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Our Top 11 Rocky Mountain National Park Boondocking Spots

Rocky Mountain National Park has over 100 peaks, hiking trails of more than 350 miles, and about 147 lakes that you need to explore for you to exhaust the major sceneries there. The park is open 24/7 and it would be beautiful if you wake up to a mountain sunrise. There are many Rocky Mountain national boondocking spots around the park but the following are the best and most of them are located in Estes Park:

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Clouds Rest Yosemite National Park California

Follow a granite ridge across the nearly 10,000-foot spine of Yosemite and see all there is to see from one place: Half Dome, the Valley, the Clark Range Clouds Rest is your Cloud 9 when it comes to iconic Yosemite scenery. Camp about two miles north of the summit where the terrain level out and intersects a creek water is scarce on top of the Rest itself.

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Best Campgrounds In Estes Park Co

Written by Meagan DrillingerOct 23, 2021

Estes Park is an adventure-packed city in northern Colorado and an excellent base camp to explore the state’s great outdoors. You’ll find plenty of things to do here throughout the year. It is one of the gateways to Rocky Mountain National Park, sprinkled with lakes and blanketed in thick forest. Come summer, Estes Park becomes a hot spot for travelers from all over the world, and weekend trippers from nearby Denver. During this time of year, campgrounds become the places to be in Estes Park.

Estes Park has many wonderful campgrounds within a 15-minute drive from downtown. Some are more rustic and geared towards avid outdoors people, while others cater to those who need a few more creature comforts, like the Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Resort or Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. Most of the campgrounds, however, are within a stone’s throw from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as the trailheads that lead up into the coveted mountains.

Most campgrounds have the standard amenities, like fire rings, picnic tables, and parking spaces. Others also include Wi-Fi, shower houses, hookups, and even swimming pools. The national park has several campgrounds, as well, which are much more rustic, but have the very best locations if the national park is your primary reason for visiting Estes Park.

Find your next best place to spend the night with our list of the best campgrounds near Estes Park.

East Side Of Rocky Mountain National Park

Aspenglen CampgroundLocated on US 34 just west of the Fall River entrance station , Aspenglen Campground has 53 sites, many of which accommodate RVs up to 30 feet. Aspenglen Campground has a unique facilityprivacy stalls where you can hang your own solar shower. Its generally open from late May to late September. Reservations are available through recreation.gov.

Glacier Basin CampgroundThis large, 150-site campground, is on Bear Lake Road about six miles south of the Beaver Meadows entrance station. Its generally open from early July into the fall. Sites are available for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Reservations are available through recreation.gov.

Longs Peak CampgroundThis small, 26-site campground is for tents only and does not accept reservations. All sites are first-come, first served. Located just of US 7 south of the town of Estes Park, its a great location for hikers eager to take on the tough hike up Longs Peak . Generally open during the summer months only.

Moraine Park CampgroundMoraine Park Campground is the only year-round campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its located on Bear Lake Road, just a few miles south of the Beaver Meadows entrance station. The campground has 244 sites for tents and RVs up to 40 feet Reservations are available through recreation.gov, though sites are first-come, first-served in winter. Moraine Park Campground has a unique facilityprivacy stalls where you can hang your own solar shower.

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County And City Parks

Each County and City have different rules and regulations as far as camping. Some allow it, some dont. The more rural the county the more likely you will find a good option for overnight camping. You will find some County campsites listed on the links under our private lands camping, but otherwise your best bet is to do some online research.

Upper Pines Campground Yosemite National Park

Stunning waterfalls, deep valleys, diverse wildlife, and the iconic cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome draw visitors to Yosemite National Park every year. There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, and they all require reservations. Upper Pines is a great year-round option in Yosemite Valley with 235 total spots.

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Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

To preserve unimpaired for this and future generations the beauty, history, and wildness therein, I pledge to protect Rocky Mountain National Park.”

Find More Rv Parks Near Rocky Mountain National Park

For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than Campground Reviews and RV Trip Wizard. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.

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Which Campground And Showers

Looking to visit RMNP for one week in August and would like to tent camp. I dont know much about the park. Of the campgrounds in RMNP, what would be the pros and cons of each for tent camping? Also, I understand the campgrounds in the park do not have showers. Are their hot showers near/outside the campgrounds that are pay by the minute/shower, etc? Thank you for your help!

I really like Glacier Basin campground. It looks out to a wonderful view and the breeze in the tall pines cant be beat for lulling you to sleep.

As for the showers, the laundry in Stanley shopping center has been mentioned having showers but I cant speak from experience. We always planned to camp a night in Estes or on the way the first night away from RMNP to shower and do a load of laundry.

Have fun

I prefer Moraine Park Campground .. the sites seem more secluded. Here is a link to photos of each site from each CG!!!

Showers probably somewhere in town, many of the RV parks have pay showers.

The National Park campgrounds do not have showers. There is a laudry mat at the Stanley Shopping Center, I think its $4.00 a shower.

The showers in the laundry are located in Upper Stanley Village. It is the same center as Safeway except the in the very opposite corner by the Hallmark store, Mountain Home Cafe and Notchtop Bakery. Not sure what they cost.

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Should I Book Campgrounds In Advance

We suggest you do so when you will be arriving somewhere late at night that is remote . We also suggest you reserve a campground if you will be camping in a popular area during high season on a friday and saturday night. When that isnt possible try to have at least two options for a campground, then if one is full you already know where a second one is!

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Rocky Mountain National Park Facts

1. THE PARKS FIRST ADVOCATE WAS A TEENAGER

Enos Mills, who moved to Colorado on his own as a young teen in the 1880s, is considered the Father of Rocky Mountain National Park. Mills love of Colorado made him a devout advocate for the creation of the park, and he spoke and wrote at length to educate the public on nature preservation.

2. THE PARKS FIRST PAYING GUEST WAS A LONGTIME FAN

Abner Sprague, a 19th century homesteader and pioneer, was the first person to pay $3 for park admission in 1939. Today, visitors on foot or bicycle pay $10 per person and those in vehicles pay $20 for a seven-day pass.

3. IT FEATURES THE HIGHEST CONTINUOUS PAVED ROAD IN THE COUNTRY

Peaking at 12,183 feet , Trail Ridge Road runs 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park. Work was completed on the highway to the sky in 1933 after four years of an off-and-on construction schedule that was largely determined by high-elevation weather conditions.

4. BIGHORN SHEEP ARE THE SYMBOL OF THE PARK

Bighorn sheep, the largest wild sheep in North America, are both the symbol of the national park and for all of Colorado Parks & Wildlife, because of their distinct presence in the state. Rocky Mountain National Park is currently home to approximately 300 to 400 bighorn sheep.

5. THE COUNTRYS FIRST FEMALE NATURE GUIDES WERE TRAINED AT THE PARK

6. ITS POPULAR

Complete Guide To Camping In Rocky Mountain National Park

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Rocky Mountain National Park, located in north-central Colorado, is a truly stunning National Park. Comprised of alpine meadows, 14,000 foot peaks, and meandering streams, RMNP is truly a one-of-a-kind place to visit. Planning a Rocky Mountain National Park camping trip is the perfect way to experience this environment first-hand.

There is just nothing like spending a night out under the stars in your tent or RV to truly gain an appreciation of this spectacular place.

Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding areas have more than enough camping options to suit your needs. From the five developed campgrounds in the park, a plethora of backcountry campsites, to tons of nearby RV and car camping spots, and even free dispersed camping, youre sure to find the perfect campsite.

Keep reading to get all the details to plan your perfect camping trip in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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