Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids: The Ultimate Guide for Your Visit (2025)

Rocky Mountain National Park is America’s fourth most-visited park, with more than four million visitors each year, and it’s one of Colorado’s greatest gems.

My husband and I LOVED adventuring here with our daughter, where we could marvel at the towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife.

If you’re planning a getaway to Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, this guide provides all you need to know to help you prepare, including the best things to do, sample itineraries, and important tips to know before you go.

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Here are my top recommendations for Rocky Mountain National Park.

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🛌 WHERE TO STAY:
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn

BEST THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS:
🐻 Walk around Bear Lake
🏔 Drive Trail Ridge Road
👟 Hike the Tundra Communities Trail
📗 Help them earn their Junior Ranger book and badge
🦌 Search for wildlife

Not sure you want to explore Rocky Mountain National Park on your own?
Hire a private tour guide for your family

Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful to visit any time of year, but summer is the most popular season for families because kids are out of school and all the roads and trails in the park are most accessible. The popular Trail Ridge Road is only open from late May until the fall, for example.

If you want to skip the summer crowds, try visiting in early June or September when most areas are still open and the temperatures are mild.

September and October are perfect months to visit if you want to enjoy the stunning fall foliage. It’s also elk mating season, so you’re likely to see lots of elk running around.

If your family is into activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, then winter is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Just be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions and possible road closures.

If finding wildlife is high on your family’s list, note that you’ll have the greatest chance of seeing animals in the spring, summer, or fall.

Rocky Mountain National Park with kids: Trail Ridge Road

How Many Days Should You Stay at Rocky Mountain National Park?

The ideal length of time to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park depends on your family’s interests and your kids’ attention spans and skill levels.

We went to the park with our three-year-old daughter and found that three days was perfect. It gave us enough time to explore many areas of the park while still pacing ourselves based on our daughter’s needs — and how far she could go with her little legs. 🙂

That being said, if you’re visiting Denver or another nearby town and only have one or two days to explore the park, you can still see a lot in that time.

And if you’re planning an extended stay of five days or longer, that will give you and your kids even more time to explore and relax.

I’ve included sample one-, two- and three-day itineraries in this post, as well as additional ideas of things to do if you’re planning a longer trip.

Where to Stay at Rocky Mountain National Park

If you’re interested in camping inside the park, Glacier Basin and Aspenglen are two popular campgrounds on the east side of the park.

Most people visit and stay on the east side because that’s where the best hiking trails and attractions are, but if you want a quieter retreat on the western side of the park, try Timber Creek Campground.

⚠️ NOTES:
– Campground spaces are limited and book up quickly, so try to reserve your spot as soon as possible!
– Moraine Park is another favorite place for campers, but it’s closed from May 2023 to early Summer 2024 due to construction.

If you’re looking for more comfort and amenities, Estes Park is one of the most popular towns near Rocky Mountain National Park, offering plenty of accommodation options, from rental properties to hotels and motels.

To find accommodations in Estes Park, use the interactive map below. We stayed at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, which was a simple motel but it was clean and kept up well.

Is Estes Park good for families?

Absolutely! Estes Park is a prime destination for families visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

We loved that it was close to the park entrances but also offered its own attractions in town, including the Estes Park Riverwalk and nearby playground, the Fun City amusement park, the historic and spooky Stanley Hotel, and lots of family-friendly restaurants.

How to get to Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is easy to get to by car from various directions. Most people drive into the park from the east side near Estes Park.

The park is about an hour and a half from Denver International Airport. We rented a car near the airport and enjoyed the scenic drive into the mountains.

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Park entrance stations

There are four entrance stations at Rocky Mountain National Park.

On the east side are the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrance stations, the closest entrances from Estes Park. About 19 miles south of Estes Park is the Wild Basin entrance station.

The only entrance on the west side of the park is the Grand Lake entrance station.

Important Things to Know Before You Go

Here are some top tips to be aware of before entering Rocky Mountain National Park:

Reserve both an Entrance Pass AND a Timed Entry Permit

In addition to purchasing an entrance pass for Rocky Mountain National Park (you can buy in person or order in advance from the NPS.gov website), you also need to reserve a Park Access Timed Entry Permit.

These permits can only be ordered on the Recreation.gov website in advance and are booked up quickly, especially during the summer peak season.

⚠️ NOTE:
Another fun little detail is that these permits aren’t available for purchase until 5 p.m. the day before the timed entry, so plan to be online as close to that time as possible to snag your permit before it sells out.

Park Access or Park Access+?

There are two types of timed entry permits available. Both permits cost $2 for one vehicle.

Park Access: Allows you to visit any area of the park except the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
Park Access+: Allows you to visit any area of the park, including the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

If all the entry permits are sold out for a given day, you can still get into the park with just your entrance pass before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. (for Bear Lake Corridor, you would have to enter before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m.).

Once you’re in the park, you can stay as long as you want — there is no specific exit time frame.

Be cautious of the high elevation

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the country, with altitudes well over 10,000 feet in many areas.

Altitude sickness is common, which can include symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, and even unconsciousness. People with pre-existing conditions like heart or lung disease are particularly vulnerable.

Another interesting “symptom” we experienced with our three-year-old daughter was that she needed to pee much more frequently than usual (sometimes she would demand a restroom every 5-10 minutes!).

At first we thought she was getting a bladder infection, but then we heard this seems to be a common — and normal — reaction to higher altitudes for some people.

Make sure you take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated, especially with kids. The only “cure” for altitude sickness is to go down to a lower elevation.

Pack the essentials

Temperatures can vary significantly from lower to higher elevations, so bring layers along, even in the summer. When we went to Rocky Mountain National Park in August, temperatures could be in the 80s near the park entrances and decrease to the 40s and 50s along Trail Ridge Road.

Other essential items include sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and plenty of water and snacks.

There are water refill stations at some facilities and trailheads (note that the water in lakes and streams is not safe to drink). The only place where you can purchase food in the park is at the Trail Ridge Store near the Alpine Visitor Center.

Mind the weather

The weather can change rapidly in Rocky Mountain National Park. What begins as a sunny, clear day can quickly turn into a strong thunder- or snowstorm.

On one of our days in the park, we started an afternoon hike at Hidden Valley with sunshine but heard thunder in the distance.

Within only a few minutes, it started raining and we saw a giant bolt of lightning hit the end of the parking lot where our car was. We ran for cover in the pavilion and made it right before it started downpouring. Even the park rangers were spooked by how close the lightning struck.

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, we went from areas with sunshine to driving rain and even HAIL. Once we made it to really high altitudes and noticed the weather was not letting up, we decided to play it safe and head back.

The National Park Service recommends hiking before noon to avoid getting caught in an unexpected storm and to return to the trailhead immediately if you hear thunder. Lightning strikes are very common and can cause serious injury or even death.

Expect limited parking and no gas stations in the park

Most trailheads and lookout points have very small parking lots, so you may want to come to the park early or later in the day to secure a spot, especially during peak season.

If you’d prefer to leave your car in one place, there is a free shuttle bus that stops at areas along the Bear Lake Corridor, as well as a hiker shuttle that departs from the Estes Park Visitor Center (reservations required). There is no shuttle bus on Trail Ridge Road or the west side of the park.

Note that there are no gas stations inside the park and it’s about 50 miles between Grand Lake (west entrance to the park) and Estes Park (east entrance to the park).

My recommendation: Arrive at the park with a full tank of gas. 🙂

There are restrooms throughout the park

A detail that’s especially good to know when you’re traveling with kids is that there are plenty of restrooms scattered throughout the park. You should find one at most trailheads and visitor centers.

Some facilities have regular flushing toilets, like at Hidden Valley, but most are “vault toilets,” which are basically elevated port-a-potties. They’re still better than going on the ground. 🙂 Most of them are equipped with hand sanitizer, too.

Map of Rocky Mountain National Park + Key Attractions for Kids

Most of the kids’ activities that I mention below are highlighted in this map. Click the icon in the top right corner to view a full-size version of the map.

Things to Do at Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids

Here are some of the best activities to do at Rocky Mountain National Park with kids of all ages. Since we went to the park with our three-year-old, we were looking for things that would work for her small legs and short attention span.

Most of these activities would be fun for older kids, too, but I also list some additional hikes at the end that would be better suited for preteens and teenagers.

1. Walk around Bear Lake

It’s easy to see why the Bear Lake Road Corridor is a popular part of the park. It has plenty of accessible trails that are catered to more novice hikers.

One of the most family-friendly trails is at Bear Lake, where you can walk around the entire lake and enjoy the beautiful reflections in the water. The trail is even paved so you could use a stroller, too.

Other stroller-friendly and wheelchair-accessible walks at Rocky Mountain National Park include Lily Lake* and Sprague Lake (east side of the park) and Coyote Valley Trail (west side of the park).

🌿 *Lily Lake is also home to the Phenology Project, where you and your kids can help the park collect important data by recording your observations as you walk along the loop trail.

Tell your kids they are “community scientists,” helping the park track changes in plant and animal activity.

2. Hike the Alberta Falls Trail

Not far from Bear Lake is the Alberta Falls Trail, a 1.7-mile round-trip hike that begins at Glacier Gorge. This easy trail ends at Alberta Falls, a 30-foot waterfall that thunders down to Glacier Creek. This would be a beautiful spot to stop for a family picnic.

3. Drive the epic Trail Ridge Road

One of the most scenic drives in the entire park is Trail Ridge Road, reaching elevations of over 12,000 feet. Kids will marvel at the mountain peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Some of the most breathtaking stops along Trail Ridge Road include Many Parks Curve (with a view of Longs Peak, the tallest mountain in the park), Rainbow Curve, Forest Canyon, Rock Cut (with access to the Tundra Communities Trailhead), and Medicine Bow Curve.

About halfway along Trail Ridge Road is the highest visitor center in the National Park Service — Alpine Visitor Center — sitting at 11,796 feet. There’s a restaurant and gift shop right next to the visitor center.

The Alpine Ridge Trail (which is more of a stair climb) is also near the visitor center and is another easy path for young hikers with rewarding views at the top.

Note that there are several areas with steep drop-offs and no guardrails on Trail Ridge Road, so take caution and drive slowly.

🏔 FEELING EXTRA ADVENTUROUS?

During the summer, you can drive the nine-mile Old Fall River Road up to the Alpine Visitor Center and then take the Trail Ridge Road back down.

Note that this is a one-way, dirt road with sharp switchbacks and no guardrails — not for the faint of heart. I found the Trail Ridge Road to be scary enough. 🙂

4. Hike the Tundra Communities Trail

This was our daughter’s favorite hike of the trip. The trailhead can be found near the Rock Cut stop on Trail Ridge Road. It’s an easy walk to the top of the trail where you’ll have spectacular, panoramic mountain views.

Kids will enjoy climbing the rocks and seeing the alpine tundra ecosystem on this trail. Be on the lookout for marmots here, too!

⚠️ NOTE: The tundra is a highly protected area of the park, and the NPS asks that you stay on the trail at all times. The larger rock formations at the end of the trail are okay to climb.

5. Help your kids become Junior Rangers

Encourage your kids to protect Rocky Mountain National Park by helping them become Junior Rangers! They can receive their Junior Ranger book and badge at any visitor center.

The park ranger will ask them to agree to and help others remember the three park rules:

Don’t feed wildlife.
Throw away waste in trash bins.
Don’t pick any flowers or other natural items to take home.

Our daughter was quite proud to achieve her Junior Ranger status.

On the eastern side of Trail Ridge Road is Hidden Valley, also known as the Junior Ranger Headquarters, where kids can also practice their nature detective skills through various activities supplied by the rangers on site.

6. Learn from a park ranger

There are several ranger-led activities available throughout the week to help kids learn more about the park and its natural forces in an engaging way.

Some of their programs include Bird Walks, Bighorn Basics, Lily Lake Stroll, Family Discovery Hikes, Tundra Nature Walk, and What Rangers Do.

Note that ranger activities may be changed or canceled at any time due to weather or other issues, so check one of the visitor centers or call 970-586-1206 for the latest schedule.

7. Explore the Moraine Park Discovery Center

Another excellent place for kids to learn about the park’s geology and glacial history is the Moraine Park Discovery Center. There are several hands-on exhibits available for families from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

8. Visit the Holzwarth Historic Site

Every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the buildings that make up the Holzwarth Historic Site are open for tours (grounds are open 24/7).

Have your kids experience what life was like for the German immigrant family that called this place home in the early 1900s. The historic site is an easy hike from the trailhead, about one mile out and back.

9. Go horseback riding

Have your kids experience the magic of the mountains on a guided horseback ride. There are several horse stables that offer rides into Rocky Mountain National Park for families and kids of all ages.

Two of the most highly rated companies include National Park Gateway Stables and Jackson’s Stables Inc.

Elk herd at Rocky Mountain National Park

10. Search for wildlife

There is a chance of finding animals anywhere in the park, so one way to easily entertain kids on your drive is to have them be on the lookout for wildlife.

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to more than 60 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.

Some of the most popular animals to look for include elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and marmots.

11, Roam around Estes Park

Need a break from the high elevations? Consider taking a morning or a full day to explore Estes Park. There are dozens of shops and restaurants along Elkhorn Avenue where you and the kids can search for souvenirs and grab a bite to eat.

Behind the row of shops is the Estes Park Riverwalk, a scenic pathway along the Big Thompson River and Fall River. There is a playground near the Riverwalk for young kids to play, too.

If your kids are seeking a different type of thrill, visit Fun City, an amusement park with giant slides, a bungee jump, bumper cars, putt-putt courses, an arcade, and more.

Estes Park is also home to the historic Stanley Hotel, which was made famous through Stephen King’s The Shining. Older kids might enjoy touring the hotel and learning about its spooky ghost stories.

Where to eat in Estes Park

There are lots of restaurants to choose from, but these were our two favorites. Both were very kid-friendly with great service and good food:

The Egg of Estes: An awesome breakfast or brunch place where they give kids a box full of crayons and toy dinosaurs. They have a nice variety of kids’ meals — I recommend the pancakes, which come in a Mickey Mouse shape. 🙂
The Wayfinder: They provide a kids’ menu that includes puzzles and drawing space. This is an awesome place to try a bison or elk burger!

Kid-friendly hike at Rocky Mountain National park

12. Try other hikes for older kids

If you have older kids who might appreciate a more challenging hike, these are some other awesome trails to add to your list:

Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake: Reach all three of these lakes via a 3.6-mile out-and-back hike.
Gem Lake: This 3.4-mile out-and-back hike begins at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead and leads to cool boulders for kids to climb, as well as birds-eye views of Estes Park.
The Loch: For a longer hike, this 6.2-mile out-and-back trail passes Alberta Falls and ends at a stunning lake called “The Loch.”

Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids: A Perfect Three-Day Itinerary

Taking the items listed above into consideration, here is a suggested three-day itinerary to enjoy as many park attractions as possible while keeping your kids’ skill and energy levels in mind.

Note that this itinerary assumes you are staying on the east side of the park or in Estes Park. If you plan to stay on the west side, you may want to flip the order of activities a bit.

Day 1:

Morning: Arrive at the park, walk around Bear Lake, hike the Alberta Falls Trail, and have a picnic.
Afternoon: Drive Trail Ridge Road and stop at lookout points along the way, walk the Tundra Communities Trail, and visit the Alpine Visitor Center.
Evening: Drive back to the east side and have dinner in Estes Park or grill at your campground.

Day 2:

Morning: Visit the Moraine Park Discovery Center and participate in a ranger-led activity.
Afternoon: Picnic near Moraine Park, and then go on a two-hour horseback riding tour through the Fall River and Aspenglen area.
Evening: Have dinner and tour the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.

Day 3:

Morning: Complete the Junior Ranger program at Hidden Valley and drive Trail Ridge Road to the west side of the park to hike the Coyote Valley Trail.
Afternoon: Have a picnic at Timber Creek and explore the Holzwarth Historic Site.
Evening: Drive Trail Ridge Road back to the east side and search for wildlife in the meadows at dusk. Enjoy a final dinner in Estes Park or at your campground.

Two-Day Itinerary

If you only have two days in the park, I recommend following Days 1 and 2 in the above itinerary, skipping the trip to the west side of the park.

You could easily add a stop by Hidden Valley on Day 1 as you drive Trail Ridge Road to get your kids’ Junior Ranger books and badges.

One-Day Itinerary

If you’re planning a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, here is my recommended itinerary to pack in as much as you can:

Morning: Arrive at the park, walk around Bear Lake, hike the Alberta Falls Trail, and have a picnic.
Afternoon: Drive Trail Ridge Road, stopping at Hidden Valley for your kids’ Junior Ranger books and badges. Pause at other lookout points along the road, walk the Tundra Communities Trail, and visit the Alpine Visitor Center.
Evening: Drive back to the east side and have dinner in Estes Park. Tour the Stanley Hotel if you have time before leaving the mountains.

Staying Longer than Three Days in Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids?

If you’re spending four or more days at the park, you’ll have time to explore some longer hiking trails with your kids, like the combined Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake hike; Gem Lake; or The Loch (details about these hikes are in the “Things to Do” list above).

You’ll also have time for your kids to participate in more than one ranger-led activity. There are many to choose from throughout the park.

FAQs

What is the best age to take kids to Rocky Mountain National Park?

Kids of all ages can enjoy the park (our three-year-old loved it!), but older kids will do better with longer hikes and educational programs. If you want to really hike, consider waiting until your kids are old enough to join you on the more challenging trails.

How long does it take to drive from one end of the park to the other?

It takes about an hour and a half to drive from the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park (Grand Lake) to the east entrance (near Estes Park) without stopping. If you plan to take your time and make frequent stops along the way, it can take between two and four hours to complete the entire drive.

The popular Trail Ridge Road is about a one-hour drive from start to finish. Note that it is not a loop road. Once you drive from one end to the other, you’ll have to head back the way you came (unless you want to take a very long scenic route outside of the park to complete a full circle).

Can you drive through the park without a reservation?

From May through October, a timed entry permit is required to enter all parts of the park between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., which you can purchase on the Recreation.gov website. (To access the Bear Lake Corridor, timed entry is required from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Note that during peak summer days, the timed entry slots aren’t released until 5 p.m. the day prior and they sell out quickly! If you aren’t able to snag a slot in time, plan to enter the park before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m.

In addition to the timed entry permit, you will need to purchase a park entrance pass, which you can order online ahead of time and have ready to scan at the entrance, or you can purchase the pass on-site. (I purchased our pass online in advance and it was quick and easy!)

Are there bears or mountain lions at Rocky Mountain National Park?

Yes, there are black bears and mountain lions in the park, but they are rare to find. If you do happen to see one, don’t try to approach it or run away. Keep your kids close to you and maintain eye contact, trying to appear larger and stronger. Bears and mountain lions usually do not attack people.

What is the most famous scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park?

Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest and most scenic drives in the park. You’ll find some of the best lookout points along this road. The road is generally safe, but there are steep drop-offs with no guardrails at some points.

Weather conditions can also change rapidly at high altitudes. If it starts to rain or snow, it’s a good idea to head back to a lower elevation.

The other famous road in Rocky Mountain National Park is Old Fall River Road, which is much more rugged with its dirt path, sharp switchbacks, and lack of guardrails. I wouldn’t recommend driving this road with your family unless you feel comfortable on really narrow mountain roads.

What is the highest point at Rocky Mountain National Park?

The highest point accessible by car is on Trail Ridge Road where the path climbs up to 12,183 feet. The highest mountain peak in the park is Longs Peak, standing at an impressive 14,259 feet.

💡DID YOU KNOW?
Longs Peak is one of 53 fourteeners in Colorado, more than any other U.S. state. A “fourteener” is a mountain that is taller than 14,000 feet. There is a total of 96 fourteeners in the United States, and all of them are west of the Mississippi River.

Conclusion: Is it Worth Going to Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids?

Rocky Mountain National Park is an awesome place to take kids of all ages. There’s nothing like adventuring as a family in the great outdoors.

Whether you’re planning a day or weekend trip or an extended vacation at the park, you won’t run out of things to do. I hope you build long-lasting memories here just like I did with my family. Have an amazing time!

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