Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
STEP ONE: Choose a Time of Year
>> When should I go? <<
Your first task is going to be quick — we’re just getting warmed up. Grab a piece of paper, a notebook, a spreadsheet…whatever it is you like to take notes on. You’ll want to keep it handy so that you can keep your research in one place.
Right now, let’s choose a time of year that you want to visit Rocky Mountain.
Each season in this park is unique and can give you a completely different experience depending on when you go. Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time of year for you!
Special note: You may already have a pretty good idea of when you will be able to go. For example, traveling during the summer might be the only time of year you can take your family. I totally understand, but keep reading. Let’s make sure you know what to expect while you’re there.
Winter (December – March)
A visit to Rocky Mountain during the winter is an enchanting and magical experience!
During the winter months, most of the Trail Ridge Road is closed to vehicles. Weather permitting, the road stays open on the east side to Many Parks Curve and on the west side to the Colorado River Trailhead.
The Old Fall River Road closes to vehicles, but the Bear Lake Road typically stays open if conditions allow.
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding are the most popular activities you’ll find available during the winter months. Check out the Hidden Valley sledding hill for extreme winter fun in the park!
What You Need to Know
- The snow scares away most travelers, so winter is a fantastic time of year to visit the park if you don’t want to fight through the crowds!
- Winter temperatures in Rocky Mountain are often well below freezing, so be sure to pack your warmest winter clothes.
- The Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers stay open year-round, and the nearby towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake also offer activities, restaurants, and lodging year-round.
- Ranger-led guided snowshoeing hikes are led on both sides of the park throughout the winter.
- Plan on all of Rocky Mountain’s trails to be densely covered in snow.
- More information for planning a trip to Rocky Mountain during the winter can be found here.
Spring (April – May)
Springtime is a time of transition in the park. As the long winter starts to melt away, the wildlife begins to emerge, and the roads, campgrounds, and hotels begin to wake up and prepare for a busy summer season.
Crowding during the spring is low, mostly because not everything is open yet. If you’re hoping to experience the hiking trails or stay in the park during your visit, I’d recommend travel dates mid-May or later. In this park, later is better because it takes a while for the snow to melt away.
What You Need to Know
- Check the road conditions for updated current conditions. The Trail Ridge Road doesn’t typically open until Memorial Day, weather permitting.
- Wildflowers begin to bloom in the lower elevations of the park during late-April and May.
- Most campgrounds within the park don’t open until mid-late May.
- Some front-country trails will still be snow-covered, and ALL backcountry trails will likely still be challenging to access during the spring.
Summer (June – August)
The great thing about Rocky Mountain during the summer is that everything is open! You’ll have numerous lodging and dining options in the nearby towns, plus access to all of the main points of interest, tours, programs, and visitor centers within the park.
Your options are endless during the summer, but that comes with a price….crowds. Be prepared to share the fantastic sights of Rocky Mountain with people from all over the world during the popular summer season.
What You Need to Know
- As mentioned above, the crowd level during the summer is high. This will impact your trip in some way, as you will likely not be able to get places as quickly as you’d like or enjoy the sights without distraction. July and August are the busiest months.
- To better avoid the crowds and traffic jams common to Rocky Mountain during the summer, you’ll definitely want to have a solid plan, like this detailed itinerary! Having a plan will minimize wasted time and make your trip much more enjoyable.
- Summer is thunderstorm season in Rocky Mountain. At such a high elevation, the weather can change in an instant, and thunderstorms are common nearly every afternoon!
- Front-country trails are snow-free during the summer months, but it’s not uncommon to encounter snow in the backcountry until mid or late July.
Autumn (September – November)
A quiet solitude begins to fall over the Rocky Mountain landscape as the busy summer crowds start to die off. A chill fills the air as the animals and plants begin to prepare for winter…and it’s magical!
Autumn in Rocky Mountain is fabulous. A few highlights of a trip during this season include fall colors, fantastic wildlife watching, and more elbow room to enjoy the sights.
What You Need to Know
- While September still sees a fair amount of crowds, it is still substantially less than during the summer months. A visit in October is nice but can be unpredictable because of incoming winter weather.
- Most campgrounds within the park are closed for the season by the beginning of October. The Trail Ridge Road typically closes by mid-October.
- Autumn weather in Rocky Mountain is completely unpredictable. Be prepared for every kind of weather — rain, snow, hail, sun, wind, biting cold, etc. Come prepared!
- The peak for fall colors in Rocky is typically the end of September. Aspens usually start changing colors around the middle of September.
- Even though snow may fall during your Autumn trip, many backcountry trails *usually* stay snow-free throughout September.
Well, there you have it! I know….it’s a lot of information about the seasons of Rocky Mountain. But now you’re ready to make a decision.
Let’s complete Step One. Decide what season is going to be best for your trip to Rocky Mountain and write it down!
Now you’re ready for Step Two.
Click NEXT to find out how long you should plan to stay in the park!
Leave a Reply