Rocky Mountain is a gorgeous high alpine park with an unlimited number of incredible adventures for you and your family to enjoy. There are so many things to do in Rocky Mountain no matter the time of year — it’s time to go exploring!
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I’m out hiking in the Rockies any chance I get, and I can’t wait to share my favorite things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with you.
This article includes information on family activities, hiking, biking, winter activities, and so much more.
Keep reading (or if you want to fast-forward, click on the links below) to find the perfect activities for your specific interests!
The Top 10 Things To Do in Rocky Mountain
If this is your first visit to the park, you’ll want to be sure to hit all of the can’t-miss activities and best places! You won’t miss out on anything with this list of the top ten things to do in Rocky Mountain.
If you can make it through this whole list, you can relax knowing that you’ve had an immersive tour of Rocky!
When you are ready for more detailed information on the top things to do, including driving directions and trip planning help, click over to this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to Rocky Mountain.
The Trail Ridge Road
The Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved road in any national park in the United States!
As you drive, you’ll explore several different landscapes, from evergreen forests to the high tundra, as you reach 12,183 feet above sea level.
Chasm Falls
Take a short walk to Chasm Falls, where you will be greeted by a gorgeous waterfall as it thunders down a narrow canyon.
This impressive 25-foot waterfall is tucked into one of the most scenic areas of the park.
Bear Lake
Bear Lake is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park!
You’ll be surrounded by incredible views as you stroll along this short nature trail that follows the lakeshore.
Alpine Visitor Center
The Alpine Visitor Center is the highest visitor center in any U.S. national park.
This visitor center is found along the Trail Ridge Road at 11,796 feet elevation!
Holzwarth Historic Site
Tundra Communities Trail
Near the top of Trail Ridge Road, you’ll find the Tundra Communities Trail.
Though the trail is short, the views will take your breath away – quite literally, thanks to an elevation of about 12,000 feet.
BEAR SAFETY 101
You may encounter bears while exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn how to prevent an encounter, what to do if you see a bear, and where to get bear spray so that you can be confident on the trail!
Forest Canyon Overlook
Looking for a panoramic view of Rocky Mountain? Make your way to the Forest Canyon Overlook.
From here, you’re hovering over a stunning tree-filled canyon with amazing views of Longs Peak.
Adams Falls
Adams Falls is a small waterfall compared to others found in Rocky Mountain, but it is still beautiful.
There’s a chance you’ll see moose wandering in this area, and you may even see some wildflowers, too!
Emerald Lake Trail
Located in the Bear Lake area, the hike to Emerald Lake is about 3 miles roundtrip.
You’ll pass through stunning aspen and pine groves as you make your way to two sparkling alpine lakes (Nymph Lake and Dream Lake) before arriving at Emerald Lake!
Alberta Falls
If you’re looking for an easy but beautiful hike, then make sure Alberta Falls is on your list.
This one-mile trail through the forest leads to a roaring 30-foot waterfall!
For additional information and driving directions to each of these stops, check out this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to Rocky Mountain.
How long does it take to see the top ten things in Rocky Mountain?
You’ll want no less than two full days of sightseeing to get through this list, but you’ll have to move fast in that amount of time! If you’re able to give yourself at least three full days, you’ll be able to see the best things in Rocky Mountain while avoiding the crowds and enjoying each stop to the fullest.
If you’d like more help, I have a whole article devoted to helping you figure out how many days to spend in Rocky.
Planning a trip to Rocky Mountain can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Rocky Mountain Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Rocky Mountain National Park is waiting to provide you with big adventures, no matter your age or skill level! Now that we’ve covered the top 10 things to do in the park, it’s time to dig deeper into your own personal interests.
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain With Kids
Rocky Mountain has a ton of fantastic, family-friendly trails. Just because these trails are short and easy doesn’t mean they are short on views and adventure!
If you are exploring with small children and like the ease of a stroller for getting around, then you should take advantage of stroller-friendly trails such as Lily Lake, Sprague Lake, and Coyote Valley. As you walk along these trails, be on the lookout for wildflowers, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and views of the continental divide.
If viewing a waterfall is more of your family’s scene, then Rocky Mountain has a trail for that, too. Alberta Falls and Adams Falls are easy trails that lead you to gorgeous waterfalls.
The Tundra Communities Trail is another short hike, and it provides a different perspective of the park as you are up above the tree line.
Click here for more information on my favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain.
If your kids like to learn about the park while participating in activities, you can take them on a self-guided field trip! You can choose from many different activity/tour options on the official Rocky Mountain website and print out the materials before you get to the park.
Rocky Mountain also has a Junior Ranger program that is fun and educational for the whole family. When you get to the park, you can pick up an activity book at any visitor center. Once the book is completed, your child earns a badge!
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain if You Love to Hike
If you love to hike, Rocky Mountain has so many exciting trails that shouldn’t be missed! I recommend hiking to Sky Pond, Chasm Lake, Fern Lake, or the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
The trail to Sky Pond is one of those must-do hikes if you can cover 10 miles comfortably, and because it’s a must-do, this trail is busy. However, it is definitely worth braving the crowds to see this view at least once! You’ll start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and pass by Alberta Falls, The Loch, and Timberline Falls on your way up to Sky Pond, so you can turn around at any time and still have an amazing experience.
Hiking to Chasm Lake will take you along the epic trail to Longs Peak. You won’t make it to the top of Longs Peak (which is a route for experienced climbers only), but you will love the views from this lake right below the summit.
A lesser-known dayhike that I absolutely love in Rocky Mountain is the Fern Lake Trail. If you’re looking for a fabulous dayhike with fewer people than the other two already mentioned, try this one! I like to start at Bear Lake, hike to Odessa Lake, and then drop down to Fern Lake. When you’ve finished the hike, you can take the park shuttle back up to your vehicle.
If you’re looking for a much longer hike, then I suggest the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This trail stretches from the borders of Mexico to Canada, but the portion inside of Rocky Mountain is a 28-mile round trip loop. You will travel through mountainous forests with elevations spanning from 8,000-11,500 feet. About 12 miles into the loop, the trail reaches the continental divide!
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!
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain if You Don’t Want to Hike
If hiking isn’t something you can do or want to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, you can still see the beautiful scenery!
You’ll find several scenic drives to choose from in and around Rocky Mountain, but the two you don’t want to miss are the Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road. Both of these scenic drives will take you through gorgeous landscapes and hopefully provide some amazing wildlife viewing opportunities.
If you want to go on a fun drive just outside of Rocky Mountain, check out the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. This drive is crammed full of beautiful views and historic buildings. You might even see a ghost town or two!
I highly recommend stopping by the Holzwarth Historic Site if you love history! You will need to go on a short walk to reach the main historic area, but then you’ll be able to immerse yourself in this interesting area. Volunteers are on staff to provide tours through this historic dude ranch and teach you more about what it was like to stay here in the early 1900s.
Rocky Mountain has so many other opportunities for soaking in the scenery — no hiking required. You can go biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, or fishing if you’re hoping to experience the beauty of these mountains.
Winter Activities in Rocky Mountain
Snow activities abound in this stunning winter wonderland! If you like snowshoeing, skiing, or sledding, you’ll love the winter months in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Snowshoeing is the most common way to get around the park in the winter. Snowshoeing can be done by people of all ages, no special skills are required, so it’s a great way to see Rocky. I love snowshoeing to Calypso Cascades, around Sprague Lake, or in the Beaver Meadows area of the park. There is even a ranger-led snowshoe walk that will cover all the basics of snowshoeing.
Cross-country skiing is also a popular way to enjoy the winter in Rocky. I enjoy skiing on the west side of the park, where the snow is usually deeper and less disturbed.
Did you know that Rocky Mountain has its own designated sledding hill during the winter? If you love sledding, head over to Hidden Valley, where you’ll find the perfect sledding hill, shelter, and restrooms!
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain if You Love Ranger Programs
If you love ranger programs, you’ll find a variety of options to choose from in Rocky Mountain!
Evening programs are held nightly in various locations around the park. These programs range in topics from wildlife to geology to history and provide a deeper understanding of Rocky Mountain and what makes it so great. Stop in at any visitor center to see the schedule and topics available while you’re there.
Daytime ranger programs include wildlife viewing, guided hikes, and talks about the park’s history and features. I really enjoy the wildlife talks at the Alpine Visitor Center, but you can find interesting programs throughout the park. Be sure to pick up a Jr. Ranger book for your kids — there are special programs just for them as well!
Stop by the Holzwarth Historic Site to step back in time and learn more about this beautiful dude ranch and the people who lived here. You can tour the buildings, learn more about the ranch, or try your hand at ropin’! This site is staffed by park rangers and volunteers most days during the summer.
Wheelchair-Friendly Things to Do in Rocky Mountain
You’ll be able to enjoy many of the best sights if you’re visiting Rocky Mountain in a wheelchair — there are so many fabulous viewpoints, nature trails, and scenic drives in this park!
Most viewpoints, trailheads, picnic areas, and visitor centers in Rocky have accessible parking stalls. The official park website has detailed information about each area of the park and its accessibility. Please note that while many of the overlooks say they do not have accessible parking spaces, that doesn’t mean that you will not be able to park and enjoy the view from your wheelchair.
Several gorgeous trails are accessible by wheelchair, including the Coyote Valley Trail, Lily Lake Trail, Sprague Lake Trail, and Bear Lake Trail. You can even rent an all-terrain wheelchair for free in this park! You’ll find more information about all of these trails in this post (near the end).
Three of the in-park campgrounds have accessible campsites – Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, and Timber Creek. You’ll be able to take in all the views and enjoy the ranger programs held at these campgrounds.
You can also enjoy the views from your car as you drive on the park’s scenic roads, the Old Fall River Road and the Trail Ridge Road. The views from these roads are unbeatable, and you will feel close to nature as you drive through some of the most stunning scenery in Rocky Mountain.
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain With Your Dog
Due to the large amount of wildlife and efforts to protect them, you won’t find many places to take your dog in Rocky Mountain National Park. For more information on things to do with your dog in Rocky, check out this detailed article: Is Rocky Mountain Dog-Friendly?
High Adventure Activities in Rocky Mountain
If you’re looking for something to get your adrenaline going, rock climbing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and 4x4ing are all great options in and around Rocky Mountain.
A popular rock climbing destination in Rocky Mountain is Longs Peak, which is the highest summit in the park at 14,259 feet. You can take the Keyhole Route, which is a thrilling climbing experience.
Outside of Rocky Mountain, several companies in Estes Park offer their own guided adventures. You can look into ascending 600-foot tall cliffs through a system of cables and ladders or even camping on the side of a cliff!
Horseback riding is another popular way to experience Rocky Mountain. Two stables are located in the park, Glacier Creek and Moraine Park Stables, and tours run daily during the summer.
Whitewater rafting is a thrill, and it’s a popular activity right outside of Rocky Mountain. You’ll find numerous companies that offer guided whitewater rafting trips that leave from the town of Estes Park.
4x4ing is popular in the Estes Park area. Take an off-road tour in the Rocky Mountain area and see beautiful sights while having an adventure.
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain if You Love to Bike
Biking is an awesome way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park!
You are mostly limited to paved and established roads in the park, but fortunately, that includes Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. If you are more of a recreational cyclist, some companies can take you to the top of Trail Ridge Road and send you downhill for an exciting return toward Estes Park.
Be sure to check out the bicycling regulations inside the park here.
Biking is not permitted on any trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, except for a 2-mile segment of the East Shore Trail near Grand Lake. If you’re looking for mountain biking adventures, you’ll want to head out of the park for that. I suggest trying out the Hermit Park area just east of Estes Park on Highway 36 — the Limber Pine Trail is a favorite!
Things to Do Near Rocky Mountain
The area around Rocky Mountain is full of adventures! If you’re looking for additional things to see while you’re in the area, here are a few of my favorites:
The town of Estes Park is charming and has so many things to do! In addition to the many outdoor activities (horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking, fishing, etc.), you can ride the aerial tram, paddle at Lake Estes, enjoy the Riverside Walk, or hang at the Open Air Adventure Park.
Grand Lake is the town just outside of the park’s western boundary. This town is small, quaint, and more relaxed than Estes Park. The most popular thing to do here is to swim or boat in the nearby lakes!
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is an amazing driving route located just outside of Rocky Mountain. If you’re looking for a dose of history and want to soak in the beautiful views of the area, this byway is a great way to spend your time.
If you want to explore more of Colorado and don’t mind driving further from the park, Denver has unlimited activities for your group. I also like to visit Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Maroon Bells near Aspen, or the mining towns turned ski resort towns of Vail or Breckenridge.
I hope you have an incredible time experiencing these things to do in Rocky Mountain. Happy Trails!
More Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Information
Rocky Mountain Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Rocky Mountain — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Rocky? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Rocky — the top 12 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
This post may contain affiliate links. Dirt In My Shoes gets paid a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase from these links. Thanks for your support!
Leave a Reply