Rocky Mountain National Park Trip Planner | The Ultimate Guide
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- čas přidán 19. 03. 2023
- Are you planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Then, this Ultimate Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Guide is for you!
I’m talking you through everything you need to know to plan an amazing trip to Rocky Mountain National Park including the best way to get to Rocky Mountain, where to stay when you visit, the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, and more!
Rocky Mountain National Park is very large and complex, so if you’re overwhelmed planning your trip, head to dirtinmyshoes.com for a Rocky Mountain Itinerary: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/rocky-m...
My Rocky Mountain Itinerary gives you an hour-by-hour guide that will help you navigate through Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll also receive lodging suggestions, adjustments, and itinerary updates based on the current conditions in the park.
1:16 Rocky Mountain at a glance
4:57 How to get to Rocky Mountain - best airports
6:17 How to get to Rocky Mountain - best roads
8:23 Best time to visit Rocky Mountain
15:06 What to expect in Rocky Mountain
18:04 How many days to spend in Rocky Mountain
19:43 Where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain
27:05 Best things to do in Rocky Mountain
39:33 A typical day in Rocky Mountain
48:50 Wildlife in Rocky Mountain
Get your fully planned, hour-by-hour trip itinerary here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/rocky-m...
My goal is to make national park trip planning easy!
⭐️ Rocky Mountain Ultimate Trip Planning Guide: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/rocky-m...
⭐️ Rocky Mountain Can’t-Miss List: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/12-thin...
⭐️ Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/rocky-m...
⭐️ Bear Safety 101 - What To Do If You See a Bear: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/bear-sa...
⭐️ Bear Safety 101 - Preventing an Encounter: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/bear-sa...
Connect with Ash at Dirt In My Shoes
CZcams: @DirtInMyShoes
Podcast: anchor.fm/exploringthenationa...
Website: www.dirtinmyshoes.com
Instagram: / dirtinmyshoes
Facebook: / dirtinmyshoes
#dirtinmyshoes #nationalpark
Awesome info! I'm from Costa Rica and I am planning to do a hike at that park. Your video just fell from heaven. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much!! Great information and enthusiasm! Thanks for making me smile!
You are so welcome!
We are going to Rocky in mid July. Your videos and advice are excellent. I love watching them. I learn so much!Thank you very much Ash for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Yes, it's certainly been a long time, i can still remember the air felt so fresh, i could almost taste it. And how the snow crunching under my footsteps was the only sound, walking to Bear lake.
❤ I love the quiet, solitude that the woods, mountains bring. Haven't experienced it snow b4. Sounds heavenly
She had to mention cinnamon rolls in the Alpine visitor center....that's it, we're going! 😁
Haha it sounds like you are highly motivated by food like I am :)
Great video full of memories for me. First visit was in 1957. My family from Chicago had our choice of many open campsites at Glacier Basin when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon. I often hiked alone, to the top of the little hill next to the campground, for a spectacular view of Longs and the Front Range, and also walked into the forest to sit next to Thompson Creek and spend an hour watching beavers build a dam. Later, in 1970, I spent an hour alone in the Bear Lake parking lot during a heavy snowfall. I can't imagine the crowds there now. It was already crowded when my childhood family last visited in 1964. Thanks for a great video. I loved remembering those long ago good times.
That is so cool!
I well remember spending the winter of 85-86 as a volunteer there, very welcoming people, and dazzling scenery.
Skiing the old fall river road to mount Chapin, something i won't forget.
That sounds amazing!
@@DirtInMyShoes especially for a Londoner who hadn't been on skis before ! I remember raising the flag in the mornings, and i never let it touch the ground, and the quiet too, thanks for your reply
@@raylawes8938 You've seen the park in a way that most people don't. I love how unforgettable those experiences are!
❤ i bet that was so kool.
Thank you! I appreciate your videos a lot, I’m going to RMNP soon, thank you for all the tips!
You're welcome! Have fun!
Great Info!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Of course!
❤ thank you for this information. We are going for 1st time end of August. Was very overwhelmed looking at maps, watching traveling videos 😂 but I watched this whole video and got more instruction and info than I have from all other resources combined.
There's so much to see in Colorado, we also wanted to go to Badlands, Mt Rushmore, so I'm trying to route us lol.
Headed to your site for the in depth itinerary.
Thank you again for helping me make the better decisions of where to go in the park.
You are very welcome! Glad it's been helpful for you!
Wow this is the best ultimate guide indeed! Thank you so much❤❤
Thanks!
Awesome info!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the amazing information. I feel much better prepared for our upcoming trip !!
You're welcome! Safe travels!
Hiya greetings from germany, awesome nature and Wildlife in ur Park, wish to visit soon
Amazing video thank you so much for making it I will have to check out rocky next time I am in Denver or just in Colorado since that’s a state on my bucket list so is Montana and Wyoming
Nice! It's really convenient if you're near Denver!
Great video! We are planning a trip there in June/July and this answered a lot of questions I had. Thank Ylou!
Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your trip!
Great video! My family is planning to go to Rocky Mountain in like 3 weeks! I hope the wildfires are not a big issue during our time there
Crossing my fingers for you!
Visiting the second week of September I’m so excited to see the elk rut and gorgeous foliage 🤞🏽😊
It's the best!!
So much good info in this video! I’m wanting to plan a 3-day 2-night backpacking (tent camping) trip in June. Nothing crazy long. Which area of the park would be most ideal for this kind of trip? A loop or out-and-back would be my preference. Thanks!
I'd call and try to talk to a backcountry ranger...a good portion of the park is still covered in snow!
Love your videos! We'll be camping in the park again in September. This time we'll have 4 adults in 2 vehicles. Does that still work in one camping spot? Can we park the second car somewhere else or should we try for two spots?
Most sites will allow 2 vehicles is there's space, so just double check the specific site before you book it!
I’m interested in doing a lot of backpacking in the park this summer! is there anywhere you can point me to getting a better understanding of how permits work with camping on the campsites found in the park while backpacking?
I don't have a good recommendation for this. I'd like to make videos about it eventually, but for now, the NPS site is the only source I recommend for that info. Good luck!
My family and I are coming to RMNP from South Carolina for the first time on June 19th and we have a 19 year old special needs son who loves hiking so we have to have as little variations as possible lol. Do we have to have a timed entry permit if we are entering the park at 5 or 6 am? Amd are the park passes that go on sale on May 1 st for specific dates? Just trying to keep a schedule for him to make sure the rest of the family has a great time too lol
You'll find a video here on my channel about getting reservation in Rocky that should answer all of your questions. It's from 2023, but not much has changed. I will be releasing a new video at the beginning of May after they release the first round of reservations!
Hi, such an informative video ! Thanks !
Question - can I take Falls River Rd up to the Alpine visitor Center and back down through Trail Ridge Rd ? So I get to experience both - if yes witch one would you suggest going up and down ?( I won’t t have time to cover the west side in this trip )
Yes! You have to drive up the Old Fall River Road....it's one-way only!
Can I do Trail Ridge both ways ?
Yes@@shavyhirsch7181
So I’m going Monday august 21 but only had 2pm available. Would I be able to modify it on august 20, 5pm?
You'll just need to try for a new one on that day if you're wanting a different time!
Hi! Just subscribed! Great videos! Thinking of going with my wife next April. Watching the videos and reading your website, we’ve got a question: does your plan apply to every season? For example: if we go in april, some parts of trail ridge road will be closed, is that considered? Thanks a lot!
April is still very snowy in this park. I would read through this article before you decide when to visit: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-best-time-to-visit-rocky-mountain-national-park/
@@DirtInMyShoes ok! Thanks ash!! We just decided to go on march to avoid mud season and still get lots of snow! When we start planning more Will get your 2day itinerary! Do you know if it is ok to book hotel in estes park right on the spot, without prior reservation? Just so we can have some flexibility according to the weather when we get there
@@pibergero my itineraries don't cover the off-season when the Trail Ridge Road isn't fully open, so you'll just want to use my website to decide what to do at that time of year!
@@DirtInMyShoes Great, thanks for the info!
We were thinking about going to RMNP in May. I am wondering if that is a bad idea since it is slightly before Memorial Day. Will there still be things to do and hiking available?
You'll be able to do some things, but the Trail Ridge Road doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend (if the weather cooperates), so I personally would wait. Most of the trails will still be snow-covered in May as well.
@@DirtInMyShoesDang it my friends and I were going to go at around May 3-5th around that area. Our goal was to hike and enjoy the outdoors seeing animals and higher view points. Would you recommend staying closer to the East side but also could you include a few recs? The video is PLENTYYY so thank you!
@@1nvd Anywhere in Estes Park is great! You'll be able to get into the Bear Lake area at that time of year + up a little way on the Trail Ridge Road.
@@DirtInMyShoes thank you, subbed
What would be the best option if Bear Lake parking is full and you still want to do Emerald Lake trail?
The park has a free shuttle that you can take as long as you have an entrance reservation for that area.
@@DirtInMyShoess that the shuttle at the Park and Ride? Does that lot ever fill? If so, what would you recommend at that point?
@@hirshgoldberg1412 yes, that lot fills. The timing in Rocky is key so that you can get to where you want to go!
Hey so I have a question is the trail ridge road scary
It can be a little daunting if you're not used to driving in the mountains, but if you focus and drive carefully, it's fine for most people!
@dirtinmyshoes I want to ask your opinion on my trip. I have 10 days off do you think thats enough time to go to RMNP and Yellowstone? I am driving from Houston,Tx. Thank you in advance.
Yes! I recommend 4 in Yellowstone and 3 in Rocky for a first-time visitor.
@@DirtInMyShoes can you explain to me the parking situation please at RMNP? So not only do you need to pay to get in but you need a parking permit. Is this correct?
Correct. You need an extra entrance reservation + you still have to pay the entrance fee.@@cncjulio2710
@@DirtInMyShoes thank you for all your help.
I'm staying for several days (5-6 days) in Grand Lake in later part of July this year. Your vid has me concerned about being able to see the Bear Lake area of the park while staying in Grand Lake. Sounds like you're saying I'd need to leave Grand Lake by 500-530am to see that part of the park. Do you think I need to cancel / reduce my # of days in Grand Lake and stay in EPark for a couple of days? Also, do you have any tips for making sure we get proper timed entry permits? Park is requiring specific timed entry passes. Or does the use of the timed entry reduce # of people to the point where it's still possible to get parking in Bear Lake later in the day?
I would split your lodging between the two sides. I love Grand Lake, but it is a long drive to some of the other areas of the park. My Rocky Itinerary will help with all of the scheduling and timed entry permits!
@@DirtInMyShoes Frankly this thing with the extra permitting system (timed entry) and the parking lots / park being full so early has me questioning whether I should even go here at all. Maybe I should go to Ouray or Telluride where I can stay there, no timed entry permit, no leaving at 500am to try to beat a crowd to a parking spot, etc. Ugh.
@@DirtInMyShoes Ok I booked a couple of nights in Estes Park. I still have same nights in Grand Lake as well. I’m thinking I’ll see what reservations I can get for the timed entry Bear Lake area (when those slots open up in June) and then maybe cancel the overlapping nights in Grand Lake
@@erictriplett33 I think you'll be really happy with that arrangement. Both sides are great for different reasons! Excited for you!
@@erictriplett33 No, it's really not that bad if you're online when the reservations open up! And it does help with the crowding a lot. If you need any extra help navigating the park/getting your reservation/knowing which reservations to get, the Rocky Itinerary on my site helps a ton with that.
do we need to reserve entrence to the bear lake coridor if we plan to take shuttle from estas park?
If you have Hiker Shuttle reservations, then you don't need a timed entry reservation for Bear Lake, but you will still need to pay your entrance fee/bring your annual pass.
@@DirtInMyShoes Does hiker shuttle reservation need to be reserved in advance ? Can we find availability just when we show up in the morning to take a shuttle?
@@MaryLou-jv2zp yes, it has to be reserved in advance. If you just show up, you will not be able to ride it.
Hi! Love your channel! We are looking for people who love nature for a video collab about environment and wildlife. Would you be interested?
Thanks for thinking of me, but I'm not currently taking on any new projects until my travel schedule slows down in the fall!