Rocky Mountain National Park 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. Urban development near the park has the potential to degrade scenic vistas. Development on ridgelines, light colored structures, and road scars are especially visible from within the national park. Park managers have been invited to participate in the preparation of local land use plans and zoning codes that include provisions for protecting ridgelines. Park staff also reviews development proposals and makes suggestions to local planning commissions on ways to protect views from within the park.