RMNP Camping Guide
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Camping Guide
Use this Rocky Mountain National Park Camping Guide to help you find the perfect campsite or backpacking trip at RMNP. To begin with, there are five drive-in campgrounds in the park open during the summer, and one is open in the winter; restrictions apply, and backcountry camping requires a permit.
Reservations Accepted at these Campgrounds
- Aspenglen Campground
- Glacier Basin Campground
- Moraine Park Campground - open for winter
- Timber Creek
First Come, First Served Campgrounds - fill quickly on summer days
- Longs Peak - tents only
Campground Amenities
- No campgrounds have electricity, water, or sewer hookups at RMNP camping sites.
- There are NO RV hookups. Camp trailers and RVs are welcome at some sites so long as they meet camp size restrictions and are self-contained.
- Potable water is seasonal.
- Flush toilets are seasonal.
- Food lockers are mandatory but seasonal.
- Some have ice, firewood, and recycling, but all are seasonal.
RMNP Guide - Entrance Requirements
Entering RMNP requires a Timed Entry Reservation. These become mandatory between May 27th and October 10th, 2022. This type of reservation combines a Parks Pass/Entrance Fee plus a reservation with a service such as in-park camping, horseback riding, or a tour.
Stay Limits
Stay limits of 7 nights are in place from June 1st through September 30th. The limits extend to an additional 14 nights at the year-round campgrounds throughout the rest of the year. For further information, call 877-444-6777.
RMNP Guide Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping at RMNP provides an exhilarating escape by allowing people to immerse themselves in an environment where they can have an opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the value of nature’s beauty.
The first step in planning your trip is to decide where you want to camp and for what length of time. As you plan your trip, consider the physical condition of the least experienced member of your party and the distance and elevation gained from the trailhead to your destination. Be prepared and make a checklist of all the necessary items needed for backpacking.
You must have a backcountry permit to camp overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry. You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry office (beside the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on Highway 36, west of Estes Park). To minimize the impact on the park’s resources, the number of permits issued is limited.
There are many excellent resources on backcountry hiking and camping. Take the time to learn Leave No Trace principles, how to backpack safely, and how to care for the environment. Always remember this is your park. Its 269,723 acres are a resource for not only you but for many future generations to come.
Get Outside with the Rocky Mountain Nature Association
Classes & Tours
Since 1962, Rocky Mountain Field Seminars have offered outdoor educational adventures. With unprecedented access to Rocky Mountain National Park, the seminars offer a comprehensive curriculum of courses in natural history, photography, outdoor skills, cultural history, art, and nature writing/field journaling.For Kids
Family fun activity days are a great way to kick off your Estes Park vacation. Expert naturalists lead educational environmental explorations, demonstrate how to share nature with children in creative ways, and provide ideas for planning the rest of your vacation. Leave the video games, computers, and cell phones behind as you connect with your kids in the great outdoors.Field Trips
Rocky Mountain Field Seminars designs custom adventures for families and groups. You can also pick the date and the subject of your adventure. Examples include a guided hike to teach safe hiking and leaving no trace, a look at the re-vegetation of RMNP, ecology top-to-bottom along Trail Ridge Road, or Animal Tales! Each course is designed to the needs of your group, and instructors are great at leading cross-generational outdoor experiences.
Rocky Mountain Field Seminars is a program of the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (RMNA), the nonprofit partner of Rocky Mountain National Park since 1931. RMNA also publishes materials of regional significance, operates more than 50 bookstores (including the visitor center bookstores in the park), and provides leadership for philanthropic efforts to protect public lands, renovate historic structures, and construct trails and visitor facilities.
