Rocky Mountain National Park has five established campgrounds in the national park. Only one of them does not require a reservation. The others need to be booked well in advance.
First Come First Served
Only one campground in Rocky Mountain National Park does not require a reservation, that is the Longs Peak Campground.
Longs Peak Campground
The Longs Peak Campground is located on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park next to the Longs Peak trailhead. This campground is for tents only. The sites are nestled into the forest just a short walk from the trailhead. The Longs Peak Campground has a total of 26 tent-only sites.
Fees:
- $30 per night.
Amenities:
- Available: vault toilets, potable water, fire grates, food storage lockers
- Not available: showers, cell phone reception, Internet, store, ice, firewood, electrical hookup, ranger programs.
Open Dates:
- July through September
Directions:
From Estes Park, drive south on Hwy 7 for 9.5 miles, and turn right onto Longs Peak Road at mile marker 9. Drive 1 mile on Longs Peak Road to the campground. On the way, you will pass a junction to the Longs Peak trailhead/ranger station- keep to the right to go to the campground.
Reservations:
This campground does not require reservations. It operates on a first come, first- served basis. Be prepared to find other accommodations during peak season.
Reservations Required
The following campsites require reservations. You cannot simply show up and get a campsite. Reservations need to be made through Recreation.gov and can be made up to six months in advance. The demand for these campgrounds is significant so the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a campsite. The cost per site is $30 per night during the summer season.
Each of the following campsites have a ranger station, bathrooms with sinks and toilets, food storage vaults, picnic tables, fire grates, water, and a dump station. Each of the campgrounds also has an amphitheater where there are regular presentations by rangers in the evenings. Be aware that none of the park campgrounds have showers. There are several places in Estes Park and Grand Lake which offer showers. The campground host or ranger can give you that information.
Aspenglen Campground
This campground is next to the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park just west of Estes Park. It lies hidden in a forested area below Deer Mountain. Nearby are trails into Little Horseshoe Park, around Deer Mountain, and over to Horseshoe Park. There is also a paved path to the Fall River Visitor Center, the Trailhead Restaurant, and also the National Gateway Stables which offers horseback rides in the park. The Aspenglen campground contains 52 sites, which includes 13 tent sites, 5 of which you have to walk to reach. The maximum length of RVs or trailers is 30 feet. Most of the sites are tucked into a ponderosa forest, but there are also some meadow sites with views of Deer Mountain.
Amenities:
- Available: flush toilets, fire pits, potable water, food storage lockers, firewood and ice for sale, and an amphitheater for ranger programs.
- Not available: showers, cell phone reception, Internet, dump station, store, electrical hookup
Open Dates:
- May 27, 2022 – September 27, 2022
Glacier Basin Campground
The Glacier Basin Campground is just off Bear Lake Road, across from the Park & Ride Transit Hub which is the main station for park shuttle buses. This campground provides beautiful views of the mountains and is where the 100th anniversary celebrations for Rocky Mountain National Park were held. Due to the loss of many trees in this area from mountain pine beetle, a majority of the campsites are quite exposed. As a result, these sites have wonderful views, but little shade, privacy, or protection from the winds. There are some tree-covered sites in the A and B loops. From this campground you can follow hiking trails to Sprague Lake or to the Glacier Creek Stables which offers horse rides. You can also take a bus from the campground to other locations along Bear Lake Road.
The Glacier Basin Campground has a total of 150 sites, which includes 73 tent-only sites. The maximum length of RVs or trailers is 35 feet.
Because of its location along the Bear Lake Corridor, this campground is very popular and fills fast. It also has smaller campsites than most of the other campgrounds.
Amenities:
- Available: flush toilets, fire pits, potable water, a dump station, food storage lockers, firewood and ice for sale, and an amphitheater for ranger programs.
- Not available: showers, cell phone reception, Internet, store, electrical hookup
Open Dates:
- May 27, 2022 – September 13, 2022
Moraine Park Campground
(The Moraine Park Campground will be closed from late May 2023 through early summer 2024 for renovations.)
The Moraine Park Campground is located off Bear Lake Road, just above Moraine Park. Most sites in this campground are tree-covered. From this campground there are stunning views of Longs Peak over Moraine Park. You also have easy access to the Cub Lake Trail, Fern Lake Trail and the trails around Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park. There is also a bus which will take you to other locations along Bear Lake Road.
The Moraine Park Campground has a total of 244 sites, which includes 101 tent-only sites, 49 of the tent sites are walk-in sites. The maximum length of RVs or trailers is 40 feet.
This is the ranger station at the entrance to the Moraine Park Campground.
Amenities:
- Available: flush toilets, fire pits, potable water, a dump station, food storage lockers, firewood and ice for sale, and an amphitheater for ranger programs.
- Not available: showers, cell phone reception, Internet, store, electrical hookup
This is one of the many beautiful campsites tucked into the ponderosa forest in Moraine Park Campground.
Open Dates:
- Closed for all of 2023 for renovations. It will open again in 2024.
The campground is also open in the winter, but during this season operates on a first-come-first-served basis with more limited amenities.
Timber Creek Campground
The Timber Creek Campground is located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park in the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley beside the Colorado River. This campground has no tree cover due to a mountain pine beetle infestation that resulted in the removal of the trees. New trees are growing but will take time to provide shade. Fortunately, the surrounding views are dramatic, and you may awaken to elk or moose strolling by your tent. You can walk to the nearby Holzwarth Historic Site and follow its trail through history.
The Timber Creek Campground has a total of 98 sites, which includes 30 tent-only sites. There are four ADA sites. The maximum length of RVs or trailers is 30 feet.
Fees:
- $30 per night.
Amenities:
- Available: flush toilets, fire pits, potable water, a dump station, food storage lockers, firewood for sale, and an amphitheater for ranger programs.
- Not available: showers, cell phone reception, Internet, store, ice, electrical hookup, shade from the hot sun
Open Dates:
- 2022 Season: May 27 - September 27
Directions:
Timber Creek campground is located 8.4 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. From Grand Lake, drive North on Hwy 34 for 10 miles, and turn left into the Timber Creek Campground.
For more information, visit the campground page on Rocky Mountain National Park's official website.