Rocky Mountains National ParkAt just over 400 square miles (nearly 266,000 acres), Rocky Mountains National Park is not even the largest National Park in the United States. But any of its millions of annual visitors will agree that this is a terriffic National Park and worth a visit. Located in the beautiful state of Colorado, this is a national park for those who love the outdoors. Fishing, biking, hiking, climbing, photography, camping and more. Any one who loves the outdoor, will appreciate this place of beauty. One of the main reasons has to be granted to Trail Ridge Road. Crossing the park from east to west, this 50-mile drive drops into the Kawuneeche Valley, where visitors can see the Colorado River. Along the way, you will climb up to over 12,000 feet through some of America's highest peaks. But those statistics don not even begin to describe the breathtaking scenery that you will see along the way. As you make your way through the famed Roof of the Rockies you will see glacier-carved mountains at every turn. Stop at Forest Canyon Overlook and you will see alpine forests that are among some of the most magnificent anywhere. Take a few minutes to visit the Alpine Visitor Center at Fall River and the friendly staff will tell you all about the area. Rocky Mountain Photos
Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Rocky Mountains National Park offers some of the best hiking anywhere along its over 350 miles of trails. Bear Lake is one of the most popular starting points. Sitting at the base of Hallett's Peak at the Continental Divide, it is a magnificent sight all by itself. Hiking here can be a little more demanding than other areas, though. Park elevations range from 7,500 at minimum to over 14,000 feet. At those heights, the air is thinner and the UV stronger. Be prepared. You will need plenty of water, since the thin, cooler air evaporates moisture from your lungs faster. Headaches are a common symptom for those who don't hydrate properly. Whether driving or walking there is plenty of wildlife to see, too. Rocky Mountain NP is home to over 3,000 elk, 800 Bighorn sheep and over 280 different bird species. Visit the Bighorn at Sheep Lake anytime from May through mid-August. See the moose wander through the willows along the Colorado River in Kawuneeche. Keep a close eye out and you may spot some river otters, too! At dawn or dusk you can see some of the many bats that hover over the lakes looking for insects. Marmots are easy to spot on the tundra along Old Fall River road. Stellar Jays dot the skies along Trail Ridge road, sharing space with the Prairie Falcon and the odd Golden Eagle. White-tailed Ptarmigans are another fascinating bird species that call the park home.
The park offers several museums and historical sites. The Moraine Park Museum is one of the best. It is filled with items from the area that give a great overview of the natural flora and fauna. The Never Summer Ranch is another favorite, offering a look at what a resort from the past was like.
Rocky Mountains National Park is open year round. That makes it possible to explore it Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall just like the other 3 million annual visitors. A non-summer visit will be less crowded and offers views you can't see during those hot months. In Fall, Elk move to lower elevations to Horseshoe Park, Beaver Meadows and other locations. The leaves change from green to gold. During Winter, there is skiing galore on the North Inlet trails or at Bowen-Baker. Coyotes come out to hunt. In Spring, Peregrine Falcons nest on Lumpy Ridge, not far from the Red-Tailed Hawks. Or, see thousands of sage-colored buttercups or blue pasque wildflowers. Visit Rocky Mountains National Park at any time of the year and you will share the opinion of millions who rightly call it one of America's premier natural wonders! Rocky Mountain National Park Weather
Here Is A Great Rocky Mountains Map
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