Rocky Mountain National Park, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park boasts majestic mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes, offering a stunning backdrop for exploration. Visitors can embark on scenic hikes along the park’s extensive trail system, marvel at the beauty of cascading waterfalls, and observe a diverse array of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. With its panoramic vistas and abundant recreational opportunities, Rocky Mountain National Park provides an immersive experience in the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. Please be aware, according to NPS, from May 23 through mid-October, a timed entry reservation is required to enter and visit all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park during peak hours. Be sure to visit the park website for current closures and conditions.
Map of Rocky Mountain National Park:
Top Photography Locations and Sights at Rocky Mountain National Park:
As photographers, we know that many of you will only have one chance in a lifetime to visit the National Parks. To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of our top photography locations and sights at Rocky Mountain National Park! While this is not comprehensive, and there are many more amazing sights to see, it should give you a good feel for the park.
Bear Lake Road Corridor
The Bear Lake Road Corridor in Rocky Mountain National Park, a 9.2-mile paved road climbing from 8,200 to 9,475 feet, offers a gateway to stunning scenic views, diverse hiking trails suitable for all ages, and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for elk in Moraine Park during spring and fall. Key attractions include Bear Lake, known for its picturesque views of Hallett Peak, and other destinations like Sprague Lake, which features a wheelchair-accessible loop trail, picnic areas, and year-round restrooms. The corridor also provides free shuttle services during summer, connecting popular trailheads such as Glacier Gorge and Bierstadt Lake, enhancing access to high-elevation hikes and camping at sites like Glacier Basin Campground.
Moraine Park
Moraine Park, located off Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, is a historic meadow carved by ancient glaciers, once home to a golf course and resort before returning to its natural state. It offers trailheads for Cub Lake and Fern Lake, and is renowned for awe-inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains, especially during the elk rut from September to October, when visitors can observe the elk mating ritual. The park is also ideal for viewing wildlife and sunsets, though visitors are reminded to keep their distance from wildlife to prevent harm and legal issues.
Horseshoe Park
Horseshoe Park is a lowland meadow featuring small lakes, offering spectacular views of the Mummy Mountain Range and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, including Bighorn Sheep, Moose, and Elk. Visitors can access the area via pullouts such as West Horseshoe Park Pullout for meadow access, Upper Horseshoe Meadow Pullout for aerial views and wildlife spotting, and Sheep Lakes pullout for observing animals in the water or enjoying sunsets. However, meadow closures are typically in effect from May to October, restricting entry to protect native wildlife, with viewing permitted from the pavement; activities are centered around observation, with a strong emphasis on maintaining distance and not feeding wildlife to ensure safety and preserve natural behaviors.
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile highway in Rocky Mountain National Park, connects Estes Park and Grand Lake, climbing 4,000 feet and offering a journey through diverse ecosystems from montane forests of aspen and ponderosa pine to subalpine forests of fir and spruce, and finally above treeline at 11,500 feet to its highest point of 12,183 feet. This scenic route, known as a “scenic wonder road of the world,” provides thrilling views, wildlife sightings including pikas, marmots, ptarmigans, and bighorn sheep, and vibrant alpine wildflower displays, with opportunities to explore via pullovers and the Tundra Communities Trail at Rock Cut. Visitors can observe the Continental Divide at Milner Pass, and enjoy forest-rimmed meadows with grazing elk, making the drive a memorable adventure best experienced over at least half a day.
Wild Basin
Wild Basin, located in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, serves as a major access point to a variety of hiking destinations along the North St. Vrain Creek, featuring a series of captivating waterfalls including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls, as well as pristine alpine lakes such as Ouzel Lake and Bluebird Lake. This less-crowded area offers trails through lush forests and up to high peaks like Mount Copeland and Tanima Peak, with opportunities for backcountry camping and wildlife viewing. Ideal for day hikes or multi-day backpacking adventures, Wild Basin emphasizes solitude in diverse ecosystems, from montane valleys to alpine tundra, though visitors should be prepared for variable conditions and potential road closures for maintenance.
Longs Peak Area
Longs Peak, standing at 14,259 feet, is the highest summit in Rocky Mountain National Park and is visible from nearly anywhere in the park, showcasing unique profiles and changing moods with the weather. The Keyhole Route, a popular climbing path especially in summer, is not a hike but a challenging climb involving sheer vertical rock faces, narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs, where conditions can turn winter-like at any time, requiring mountaineering skills and specialized equipment. Activities include climbing, with precautions advised for altitude sickness and sudden weather changes like afternoon thunderstorms and lightning in June, July, and August, emphasizing the need to respect personal limits and be prepared to turn back for safety.
West Side (Kawuneeche Valley)
The West Side, also known as Kawuneeche Valley, is a vibrant area of Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake, CO, characterized by the presence of the Colorado River and rich wildlife including moose, elk, pika, and marmots. This valley is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering opportunities to observe animals grazing and wildflowers blooming, as well as activities like hiking in the alpine tundra where visitors can spot elusive pika and hear the whistles of marmots. The area is also home to the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, providing educational experiences and ranger-led programs that enhance visitors’ understanding of the park’s natural and historical significance.
Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife Photography:
Rocky Mountain National Park is filled with wildlife and biodiversity. If you like wildlife photography, you will love what this park has to offer!
Want to learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:
- Rocky Mountain National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)
- Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Guide: (Color Travel Guide)
- Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years
- Mystery In Rocky Mountain National Park (National Park Mystery Series)
- Best Easy Day Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)
- Death in Rocky Mountain National Park (Death in the Parks)
- It Happened In Rocky Mountain National Park: Stories of Events and People that Shaped a National Park (It Happened In Series)
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Featured National Park Photographers:
- NPS / Ann Schnolau: Alluvial Fan, Harbison Meadow, Upper Beaver Meadows
- NPS / CH: Bierstadt Lake, Chasm Lake, Copeland Falls, Lake Haiyaha, Lake Irene, Lake of Glass, Lake Verna, Nymph Lake, The Loch
- NPS / Helen Evans: Rainbow Curve
- NPS / John Marino: Fern Lake, Rock Cut
- NPS / Karen Daugherty: Gore Range Overlook, Ouzel Falls
- NPS / Kim Grossman: Farview Curve Overlook, Horseshoe Park, Sheep Lakes
- Shutterstock / Alexey Kamenskiy: Cub Lake
- Shutterstock / cvm: Bear Lake
- Shutterstock / Hale Kell: Longs Peak Above Bear Lake, Moraine Park
- Shutterstock / Jeff Grabert: Elk Bugling in Rocky Mountain
- Shutterstock / JMY Photography: Mills Lake
- Shutterstock / Judith Andrews: Alert Bighorn Sheep
- Shutterstock / Kelly vanDellen: Alberta Falls
- Shutterstock / M. Leonard Photography: Pika Chirps From His Home
- Shutterstock / Marcin Kopczynski: Emerald Lake
- Shutterstock / Michael Ryno: Dream Lake
- Shutterstock / Morgan.clairew: Golden Mantled Squirrel
- Shutterstock / Sean Xu: Chasm Falls, Marmot Resting on a Rock, Sprague Lake, Young Female Wild Moose Feeding
- Shutterstock / Stephen Moehle: Trail Ridge Road
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