Visitor Centers in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers offer a variety of services, from gift shops, bookstores, guided tours, and more. There are four visitor centers and one museum at the park.
Alpine Visitor Center
The Alpine Visitor Center is open daily whenever Trail Ridge Road is cleared (Memorial Day through mid October) This large facility is situated at almost 12,000 feet, well above treeline with spectacular views of the Continental Divide and western side of RMNP. It contains a cafeteria, gift shop, and bookstore, in addition to a staffed visitor center with maps and tundra exhibits. When tour buses empty out here, the bathrooms can have long lines, so pick your moment! Several trails lead to vantage points nearby, and rangers occasionally offer guided walks. As with all park visitor centers, parking is free.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is open daily, except Christmas. Located just outside of Estes Park on US 36, it features a bookstore and movie theater with regular free showings of park films. A few minutes’ walk down a paved sidewalk behind the center is the backcountry desk, the only place on the east side where you can reserve and purchase permits for backcountry campsites in person. Shuttle bus pickup is in the parking lot next to the bathrooms.
Fall River Visitor Center
Open daily in summer. This station has information on activities and conditions in the park, plus a restaurant, store, gifts, and restrooms. Located a few minutes outside of Estes Park on US 34.
Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Open daily, except Christmas. Located near the Grand Lake entrance station on US 34, this is the only visitor center on the west side before you reach Alpine. The backcountry desk here is also the only place to pick up backpacking permits on the west side. It contains a gift shop and theater also.
Moraine Park Visitor Center and Museum
Open daily in the summer, the Moraine Park Visitor Center is located on Bear Lake Road, just 1.5 miles beyond the Beaver Meadows entrance. Its primary attractions are exhibits on the flora and fauna of the region. It’s also situated across the road from a broad meadow where elk congregate in late summer and fall. This location is also a shuttle stop.