When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, chances are you will never want to leave. Luckily, when you’re here on vacation, you don’t have to! There are many ways to stay overnight in the park, no matter what kind of camping experience you prefer, from RV sites to backcountry camping. Camping is the best way to connect with nature- and isn’t that why you came to the Rockies in the first place?

Here is a brief overview of the different campsites available to visitors in the Rocky Mountain National Park, to help you plan a smooth and seamless camping experience.

CAMPGROUNDS

Camping in the Rockies is the perfect family experience. This national park has a wide variety of different campgrounds that can fit whatever your camping needs are. Camping fees are $26 per site, per night in the summer, and $18 in the winter. Campers may check in after 1 p.m. and are requested to check out by noon. Please be sure to abide by posted quiet hours, to provide a peaceful and comfortable camping experience for the other park visitors, and to avoid disturbing the wildlife in the park.

Aspenglen

Aspenglen is conveniently located just inside the park from the Fall River Entrance, and has 53 individual campsites. This campground is only open during the summer, and fills up very quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. It can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long, but does not have a dump station or hookups.

This site is surrounded by tall pines, and seasonal wildflowers, depending on what time of the year you visit.

Glacier Basin

Glacier Basin is an accessible campground located six miles south of the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. It has 150 individual sites, and is a good stopping point if you plan on visiting the east side of the park. This campground is only open during the summer, so we recommend reserving your spot early. Glacier Basin offers a shuttle stop, and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. There are also on site Ranger led evening programs.

Towering pines and beautiful meadows surround this campsite.

Longs Peak

Longs Peak is a tents-only campground, located in the Wild Basin area. It has 26 individual sites, and is first come first serve, as it does not take reservations. It is only open in the summer. This site is more primitive, with vault toilets and water access.

The campground is in a high elevation, forested area, leading to a very peaceful camping experience.

Moraine Park

Moraine Peak is a year-round campground, with convenient access to many trails. This campground is popular with avid hikers for this reason. The campground is beautiful, with views of the park and surrounding mountains. It has 244 individual sites, which can be reserved in advance. It can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long, and has a dump station and water hookups available. Group sites can also be reserved at this campground.

Timber Creek

Timber Creek is the only campground available on the west side of the park. This is a first come first serve campground, and does not take reservations. It is only open during the summer. There are 98 individual sites, and they can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long. There are dump stations and water hookups available. It is located a significant drive away from Estes Park- about an hour and a half. There is no shade at this campsite, due to the removal of the trees in the area because of a pine beetle infestation, so be aware of that when making your choice.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Are you someone who thinks camping should just be you and the surrounding wilderness? Then backcountry camping is for you. Rocky Mountain National Park has a number of different backcountry camping sites. You will need a permit to partake in this rugged experience, which can be obtained at the Backcountry Offices. There is one near the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Part of backcountry camping is taking responsibility for your experience, and interfering with the ecosystem of the park as little as possible. This includes practicing Leave No Trace techniques, which you can ask a ranger about.

No matter what your preferred method of camping, or what your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park may look like, there are many options for your camping experience. Be sure to reserve in advance when you can, to be sure of an available campsite, and go out and enjoy your wilderness adventure!