Rocky Mountain National Park
Been Here Life List

Picture of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a national icon—its rugged mountains carve out a skyline that captures the American imagination and serves as both protector and passageway to the west. One-third of the park is above timberline, the 14,259-foot flat-topped summit of Longs Peak included, there are 71 peaks here that top out above 12,000 feet. All in all, there is enough snowcapped rock, wind-whipped tundra, and thin air to make a marmot giddy. Read More »

Rocky Mountain National Park Highlights

Summit hikes are plentiful in the park, and they vary in difficulty. One of the best is the Lily Mountain hike, which is interesting enough for seasoned hikers and moderate enough for novices. It's outside the main park entrance and is usually not as crowded.
The Diamond Face of Longs Peak is considered one of the premier rock climbs in the park, or anywhere in the country for that matter. The numbers say it all: 1,000 vertical feet of wall, starting at 13,100 feet of elevation with 30 routes ranging from 5.10 to 5.13 in difficulty.
Longs Peak is the most famous of all treks in this area. It consists of 17 difficult miles, and many people start at 4:00 a.m. because it is a good idea to be off of the 14,000-foot summit before afternoon lightning storms hit. Standard hiking skills are adequate up to the "keyhole," which is a popular turnaround spot. After that point, you will be scrambling over rocks and traversing exposed ledges.
A great backpacking site for first-timers or families is the Old Forest Inn Campsite. The access from Fern Lake is full of surprises, including a lot of water and unique arches. The old Forest Inn Campsite is in the very spot that an inn of the same name drew visitors in the early days of the park.
Winter is one of the best times to explore the park because the summer crowds are long gone and the peaks are full of snow. The park maintains many of the hiking trails for snowshoeing during the winter and provides recommended winter hikes in the park's newspaper at visitor centers. Most snowshoe hikes are also suitable for cross-country skiing.

By Travel Expert: Kim Lipker