Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain and Things To Do

Fly fishers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests. 60 peaks rising above 12,000 feet challenge intrepid hikers and climbers. Anyone visiting between Memorial Day and late autumn can see many of these peaks eye-to-eye by driving over Trail Ridge Road. Topping out at 12,183 feet, this is the highest, continuous, paved road in the United States. Front-country and backcountry campers have hundreds of campsites to choose from. Civilization and its amenities are available in the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake which flank the park on the east and west sides respectively. Ranger-led activities are an entertaining way to learn more about your surroundings. Plan some time to acclimate to the high altitude and come find your adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Glaciers in Rocky Mountain

The grand scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park is the product of a complex geologic history spanning almost 2 billion years.The area occupied by the Park has been repeatedly uplifted and eroded. Although many of its mountaintops have been flattened by ancient erosion, recent glaciation has left steep scars, U-shaped valleys, lakes, and moraine deposits. The Park's oldest rocks were produced when plate movements subjected sea sediments to intense pressure and heat. The resulting metamorphic rocks (schist and gneiss) are estimated to be 1.8 billion years old. Later, large intrusions of hot magma finally cooled about 1.4 million years ago to form a core of crystalline igneous rock (mostly granite). More

Cultural Resources in Rocky Mountain

Cultural resources in Rocky Mountain National Park include historic structures (such as roads and bridges, cultural landscapes, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, museum artifacts, and historic buildings and trails. The park also works with Native American groups to understand and protect those resources in the park that are important to native cultures.When Congress passed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act in 1915, the legislators focused on Rocky's scenic and natural wonders.

Blue Columbine

On your knees in a sea of tiny, fragrant flowers, at an elevation of 12,000'. You're experiencing the alpine tundra in bloom - a spectacular life zone covering more than one quarter of Rocky Mountain National Park. Here a four-inch pincushion plant might be fifty years old; a tiny spring beauty can have a root which reaches three feet below ground! More

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

In 1997 the route through Rocky Mountain National Park was adjusted and now consists of approximately 30 miles of spectacular scenery. In the park, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail route does not entirely travel the actual Divide, however the most breathtaking section is above treeline, consisting of high peaks and fragile alpine tundra. Travel is through the montane and sub-alpine life systems at elevations of 8,000 (2,438 m) to 11,500 feet (3,505 m). More

Scenic Vistas

Rocky Mountain National Park contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. Viewing scenery is one of the primary activities for park visitors, and the popular Trail Ridge Road provides numerous high elevation vantage points. More

Aspen Trees

Quietly sit in an aspen grove, and watch the forest spring to life. High in the trees, woodpeckers hollow out cavities in the soft aspen bark while looking for insects. Leftover holes soon become an apartment house for nesting sapsuckers, bluebirds, swallows, and other species.

Fallen aspen leaves, plant matter, and feces collect on the forest floor attracting insects and other invertebrates. Small leaf fragments and feces left behind are further decomposed by bacteria and fungi. The soil is enriched by mineral nutrients and decomposed organic material, permitting a rich, diverse understory. More about Aspens

International Recognition

Rocky Mountain National Park is recognized internationally as one of the world's most outstanding natural treasures. As a national park and wilderness, the Park's meadows, forests, alpine peaks and tundra, and everything associated with them, must be protected in perpetuity. More