Where Should I Camp in Rocky Mountain National Park?

You’re headed to Rocky Mountain National Park where more than 800 miles of trails await you for an adventure full of fun, but where should you camp? Here’s a personalized guide to Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds to  help you decide where to spend the night, from car camping paradise and remote backcountry sites to RV heaven.

At Rocky Mountain National Park, all campground sites must be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov, with the exception of the Longs Peak Campground, which is first-come, first-served. To help you decide where you should camp, we’ve developed this park campground guide based on what type of camper you are: Car Camper, RV Camper or Backcountry Camper.

In 2023, the park is requiring all visitors have a timed-entry pass that you have to buy in advance for $2 on Recreation.gov. However, if you have camping reservations or backcountry permit, you can use those as your timed-entry pass.  You can enter the park on the first day of your camping reservation. You will still need to pay your park entrance fee at the entrance station.

Car Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

Timber Creek Campground on the West Side

Just 10 miles inside the park from the Grand Lake entrance, the Timber Creek Campground has 98 sites. Open late May through early November, it is the only campground on the park’s west side. Sites must be reserved on Recreation.gov.

Located along the Colorado River, this beautiful campground is the definition of “Rocky Mountain high” since it sits at 8,900 feet.  It has flush toilets, offers ranger-led programs and can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length. Be aware that there is no shade at this campground since the pine beetle infestation in the area forced the park service to take down a number of trees.

Because this is the only campground on the park’s west side, make your reservation early (reservations open six months in advance).

Moraine Park Campground on the East Side

NOTE: Moraine Park Campground will be closed from late May 2023 to early summer 2024 for construction.

For striking views of Longs Peak, the park’s highest, settle in for the evening at Moraine Park Campground. For summer, reservations are highly recommended. You can make reservations up to six months in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. In the winter, no reservations are accepted ⎯ it’s a first-come, first-served basis.

Nestled in a ponderosa pine forest two-and-a-half miles south of Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, this beautiful campground offers 244 sites in the summer and 77 in winter, but you never feel like a sardine packed tightly between tents.

You’ll find a mix of flush and vault toilets, depending on water availability. RVs up to 40 feet in length are welcome here, and generators are allowed from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., except in Loop D where generators are prohibited.

Amenities include a free shuttle that connects the campground to Bear Lake and Estes Park, which is especially great to RVers who want to leave their vehicles behind. Moraine Park Discovery Center is in walking distance as are connections to Moraine Park area trails. If you have your own solar shower bag, you can connect to the shower bag stall in the campground to clean off after a day of outdoor adventure.

Longs Peak Campground on the East Side

Looking for a tents-only campground that serves as a basecamp for climbers hoping to ascend Longs Peak, the park’s highest peak at 14,259?

Head to Longs Peak Campground, the park’s only first-come, first-served area with 26 tent-only sites nestled in a pine forest at 9,500 feet is $26 per night. Because the campground is at such a high elevation, bring warm layers for the evenings and early mornings.

Note this is on the edge of the park south of the main entrance on the eastern side. To get there, head nine miles south of the town of Estes Park off of Highway 7.

Where to Camp with an RV

There are four campgrounds that have RV camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. Aspenglen allows 30 ft motor homes and trailers, Glacier Basin allows 35 ft motor homes and trailers, Moraine Park allows 40 ft motor homes and trailers, and Timber Creek allows 30 ft motor homes and trailers. Read more about RVing in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can make reservations for any of these four at Recreation.gov.

Aspenglen Campground

Open late May through late September, Aspenglen Campground is just west of the Fall River Entrance Station in a beautiful pine forest near Fall River. At 8,200 feet, you are that much closer to the canopy stars hanging above you at night.

With 53 sites total accommodating tents and RVs up to 30 feet in length (RVs permitted in loops B and C), this campground allows generators on the C Loop only from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You must make reservations up to six months in advance online at www.recreation.gov.

Because cell phones don’t work here, get ready to truly disconnect from the rest of the world and immerse yourself into the wonders of the park. Just a short walk away lies Fall River Visitor Center and ranger-led evening programs are often offered in the summer.

Can I Camp Anywhere in the Backcountry?

You cannot camp anywhere. You must camp in a designated campground or get a permit to camp in the backcountry. To camp in the backcountry, you need a permit. And you can only get one at Recreation.gov, starting March 1 at 8 a.m. MT. No permits are issued through the wilderness office at the park anymore.

Fern Lake on the North Side

For a short-distanced backpacking adventure perfect for families with strong kids, try backcountry camping for a night or two at Fern Lake. It’s 3.8 miles in from the Fern Lake trailhead. Along the way, you’ll pass The Pool, Fern Falls and Marguerite Falls.

There’s a pit toilet near the individual camping sites for Fern Lake, which can be a great convenience when camping with kids. Park officials ask that you pitch your tent close to the indicated site out of potential hazards of standing dead trees.

Spend the next day fishing in Fern Lake (but be sure to have your Colorado fishing permit with you), or exploring nearby Spruce or Odessa lakes before relaxing at your campsite and settling in for night two under the stars.

To get to the trailhead from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, follow Hwy. 36 west to Bear Lake Road for a little more than 1 mile. Take a left onto Bear Lake Road and stay on it for another mile. Then turn right onto Moraine Park Campground Road. When you se the sign for the riding stable and trailheads, take a left. This road brings you to the edge of Moraine Park. The trailhead is at the end of the road.

You do need a permit to camp overnight in the backcountry. You can get one at Recreation.gov. At Rocky Mountain National Park, you cannot walk-in, fax or call in permit requests.

The Fern Lake area experienced wildfire in fall 2020.

Ouzel Lake on the South Side

A 4.9-mile hike in, Ouzel Lake is located in Wild Basin, a more rugged area of Rocky Mountain National Park. It sits at 10,020 feet.

Along the way to the lake, you will pass Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, popular destinations, but most people turn around at the falls, leaving the trail less crowded once you leave the falls behind. Wildlife are abundant here, so keep your eyes out, especially for moose. You’ll also see a number of peaks, including Mount Meeker at 13,911.

Because of the distance required to get to Ouzel Lake, you’ll find few people and plenty of solitude once you set up camp. Park officials ask that you pitch your tent close to the indicated site out of potential hazards of standing dead trees. A maximum of 7 people are allowed at individual sites and 12 maximum at group sites. There is a privy at the backcountry campsite at Ouzel Lake.

If you spend two nights here, you can do a nice, strenuous day hike to Bluebird Lake, two miles and nearly 1,000 feet above you.

You need a permit to camp overnight in the backcountry, and you can reserve a permit in advance online at Recreation.gov. At Rocky Mountain National Park, you cannot walk-in, fax or call in permit requests.

On the east side, the backcountry office is adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. On the west side, the backcountry office is in the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. The offices are open seven days a week, but hours change depending on the season. You can call 970-586-1242 for information.

To get to the trailhead from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, follow Hwy. 36 about 1 mile east and then turn right onto Mary’s Lake Road. Follow it for about 2.4 miles to Hwy. 7. Turn right and follow Hwy. 7 to for 9.1 miles to Wild Basin Road.

Campground FAQs

Campground stay limits, throughout the park, are seven nights from May 1 through Oct. 15, and an additional 14 nights at the year-round campgrounds the rest of the year.

The water is turned off in the winter at all year-round campgrounds. Drinking water is available at entrance stations and open visitor centers.

During the summer months, firewood is sold at all campgrounds. Campers are encouraged to purchase firewood in the area(s) where they are camping. Transporting firewood from out-of-state is discouraged since it may hold harmful insects which could be spread to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Ice is also sold at all campgrounds, except Timber Creek and Longs Peak.

At all campgrounds no more than eight people, and two tents OR one vehicle and one camping unit (i.e., tent, RV, or trailer/tow vehicle) may occupy each site. Additional vehicles must park in overflow parking areas. During July and most of August, expect the campgrounds to fill every day by early afternoon.

America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on camping fees. Checkout time in all campgrounds is noon. A separate park entrance fee applies.

Park staff are removing dead trees that have been killed by an outbreak of native pine beetles. The removal reduces risk associated with falling trees. Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly during times of high wind. Temporary closures may occur at campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailhead parking areas while trees are being removed.

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