Plan Your Fall Trip to Rocky

Hiker on Trail to Flattop above Bear Lake with Colorful Aspen Trees in Autumn

NPS

With the arrival of crisp, cooler air, fewer hours of daylight, and leaves changing from green to hues of gold, orange, red, and brown, and the sound of bull elk bugling in meadows, fall is a special time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park.

At the park's higher elevations, snow begins to fall and dust the ridge of the Continental Divide. Winter is just around the corner in the southern Rocky Mountains.


 
The NPS Arrowhead appears on blue with text "Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Reservations"
Timed Entry Reservations

Timed Entry Reservations are required to enter RMNP during certain hours of the day from late May to mid-October. Click here for details.

A bull elk is standing next to a female cow elk in a meadow
Elk Meadow Closures

Learn about meadow closure areas for the protection of visitors and elk during the fall elk rut season.

A group of park visitors are standing at the edge of a road, looking at a meadow and viewing elk
Wildlife Viewing Tips

Planning to view wildlife in Rocky? Check out the park's wildlife viewing tips!

View of a section of Trail Ridge Road on a summer day. The road is paved and free of snow.
Park Roads

Learn more about the park's roads and seasonal road information.

Clouds, rain, light snow, and a rainbow are seen over Horseshoe Park
Weather in RMNP

Planning for your upcoming trip? Be weather aware and prepared to spend your day outside.

Webcam image from Alpine Visitor Center, showing Old Fall River Road and green grasses on tundra
Explore Rocky's Webcams

Did you know Rocky has several webcams? Check them out here!

Fall along the Bear Lake Road. Aspen have golden leaves and snow is on the mountain tops.
Explore the Bear Lake Road Corridor

View of Bear Lake Road in Fall

RVs and tents are set up in a campground in RMNP
Camping

Rocky's campgrounds are open for the summer camping season. Click here to learn more.

Three tents are set up in a designated wilderness campsite
Wilderness Overnight Backpacking

Thinking about going backpacking? Learn all about planning for a wilderness overnight backpacking trip.

Visitors are hiking on the Cub Lake Trail
Going Hiking? Conditions Can Vary

Trail conditions can vary based on where you are in the park. Check the latest Trail Conditions Report here.

Last updated: September 25, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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