If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s talk all about the amount of time you’ll need to have big adventures in this park.
How many days should you spend in Rocky Mountain? I recommend 3 full days to get to the main highlights that you won’t want to miss! This park is full of incredible hikes and views that can easily keep you busy for a few days.
My name is Ash, and I am a former park ranger and mountain junkie. Rocky Mountain has some of the biggest, tallest mountains in any national park, so it’s time to get Rocky Mountain high!
Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you’ll want to budget for your visit to Rocky.
Can I See Rocky Mountain in One Day?
You’ll barely even scratch the surface of Rocky Mountain if you are only in the park for one day, but you can still see some amazing things!
With one day in the park, I suggest trying to get to Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Road, two of the most popular areas of the park. You’ll love the gorgeous lake views surrounded by pines with views of the Continental Divide from Bear Lake, and there are a few shorter trails in this area that you can enjoy.
You’ll also have time for a breathtaking drive along Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in any U.S. national park.
With one day in Rocky Mountain, you won’t have time to see the smaller and off-the-beaten path stops, which may limit your wildlife sightings. You’ll also be traveling to some extremely popular areas during the busiest times of the day, so expect a lot of crowding and traffic.
Traffic and crowding at Rocky Mountain can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to wait an hour or more to enter the park or to find parking?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with 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 in Two Days
Spending two full days in Rocky Mountain will allow you to cover a lot more ground, see more wildlife, and find solitude on the trail!
You’ll have enough time to explore Bear Lake and the Trail Ridge Road without having to rush or stress about crowds.
If you can spend two days in the park, you’ll also have time to spend some time on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trails that you can access from the Grand Lake Entrance are totally different than anything you’ll see on the east side. You can find more solitude as you hike the East Inlet Trail or the Coyote Valley Nature Trail. Or, if you’d like a dose of history, check out the Holzwarth Historic Site.
With two days in Rocky, you’ll be able to add in some off-the-beaten-path activities in the park that will get you away from the crowds. You’ll also have some flexibility to photograph the mountains in the best lighting and look for wildlife during the optimal hours!
Rocky Mountain in Three Days
You can cover a good amount of ground in Rocky Mountain in two days, but it’s incredible the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend three full days in Rocky Mountain, you will have time to hike some fantastic trails, drive the main park roads, and escape the crowds.
Spending three full days in the park is ideal if you want to hit all of the main attractions in Rocky Mountain and really enjoy the picturesque landscapes. You’ll easily be able to explore Bear Lake, drive the entire Trail Ridge Road, and add in an activity such as horseback riding or rock climbing.
If you’re hoping to find some off-the-beaten-path spots, capture beautiful photographs when the lighting is good, or head out to see wildlife during the optimal times, you’ll want to budget three days in Rocky!
With this amount of time, it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when the crowds are the smallest. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!
Do you need help with your daily schedule for Rocky Mountain?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Other Things to Consider
Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Rocky Mountain, you’ll want to consider these things:
How much time will it take to travel to and from Rocky Mountain (not including your sightseeing days)?
Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Rocky Mountain but you don’t get to the park until 10 a.m., you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — most parking lots will be completely full by then.
Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?
If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.
Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?
Rocky is a destination all by itself, but there are so many amazing things to do in Colorado. You could spend a ton of time exploring the area! You’ll find Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park within a half day’s drive of Rocky Mountain, so give yourself plenty of time to experience these awesome parks.
Rocky Mountain Itinerary Options
I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Rocky Mountain, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between other Colorado attractions!
After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.
If you have:
A Weekend
I recommend spending your whole weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park if that’s the time you have – you’ll need all of that time to get through the park.
One Week in Colorado
Rocky Mountain and Colorado Mountain Towns
Day 1 — Fly into Denver and drive to Rocky Mountain (1.5 hours)
Day 2 — Rocky Mountain
Day 3 — Rocky Mountain
Day 4 — Rocky Mountain all day, then drive to Breckenridge/Frisco (2.5 hours)
Day 5 — Breckenridge
Day 6 — Drive to Garden of the Gods (2 hours) and spend some time exploring
Day 7 — Garden of the Gods in the morning, then drive back to Denver to catch your flight (1.5 hours)
10 Days in Colorado
Colorado National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Denver and drive to Rocky Mountain (1.5 hours)
Day 2 — Rocky Mountain
Day 3 — Rocky Mountain
Day 4 — Rocky Mountain in the morning, then drive to Great Sand Dunes (5.5 hours)
Day 5 — Great Sand Dunes
Day 6 — Great Sand Dunes in the morning, then drive to Mesa Verde (4 hours)
Day 7 — Mesa Verde
Day 8 — Mesa Verde in the morning, then drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours)
Day 9 — Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Day 10 — Drive back to Denver to catch your flight (5.5 hours)
Rocky Mountain and Colorado Mountain Towns
Day 1 — Fly into Denver and drive to Rocky Mountain (1.5 hours)
Day 2 — Rocky Mountain
Day 3 — Rocky Mountain
Day 4 — Rocky Mountain all day, then drive to Breckenridge/Frisco (2.5 hours)
Day 5 — Breckenridge
Day 6 — Breckenridge/Frisco in the morning, then drive to Aspen (2.5 hours)
Day 7 — Aspen
Day 8 — Maroon Bells
Day 9 — Drive to Garden of the Gods (4 hours)
Day 10 — Garden of the Gods in the morning, then drive back to Denver to catch your flight (1.5 hours)
2 Weeks in Colorado
Colorado National Parks + Arches and Canyonlands
Day 1 — Fly into Denver and drive to Rocky Mountain (1.5 hours)
Day 2 — Rocky Mountain
Day 3 — Rocky Mountain
Day 4 — Rocky Mountain in the morning, then drive to Great Sand Dunes (5.5 hours)
Day 5 — Great Sand Dunes
Day 6 — Great Sand Dunes in the morning, then drive to Mesa Verde (4 hours)
Day 7 — Mesa Verde
Day 8 — Mesa Verde in the morning, then drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours)
Day 9 — Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Day 10 — Black Canyon in the morning, then drive to Moab, Utah (3 hours)
Day 11 — Arches
Day 12 — Arches
Day 13 — Canyonlands Island in the Sky
Day 14 — Drive back to Denver to catch your flight (6 hours)
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!
Have an incredible time in Rocky Mountain National Park!
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.
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.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
The Ultimate Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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Hi Ash, love your website and Youtube videos. I just returned from a trip to Rocky Mountain NP and looked at your articles and itineraries about the park both before and after my visit. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a mention of the altitude issues people may have at the park. The lowest altitude in the park is about 7400 feet (2256 meters) and I’ve found it is very helpful to acclimate a day or two in Denver (5280 feet/1610 meters) before heading to RMNP. Even with that, I discovered hiking at Bear Lake (9470 feet/2880 meters) can be difficult for those of us who are not in the best physical shape. Staying overnight and walking in Estes Park was very helpful for my body, because the next day I did much better hiking at the 9000+ foot level. I spoke with a few people who mentioned that they were thinking of leaving the park early due to their symptoms of altitude sickness because the flew into Denver and drove directly up to RMNP. It’s just a thought, but an article about the altitude issues at Rocky Mountain (along with Yellowstone, Glacier, etc) and some other parks might be helpful to people. Thanks!
Thanks Paul! I address the altitude sickness more in my Rocky Itinerary and have the activities planned out in there to help you get used to being in such a high elevation. But it’s always good to have a reminder :)
Hi
I will be in RMNP from the 15th afternoon to the 18th. I got Timed entry+Lake Road for 4 PM on the 15th.
I also have a 7-day vehicle pass. But I do not see tickets for the 17th (says NR and will be available on the 16th at 7 PM MDT).
For the 18th I see Timed entry+Lake Road for 4 PM but the Timed entry is NR and can be available on the 17th evening.
What are the chances of me getting tickets the previous evening? Any recommendations?
You’ll find a full video walking you through the reservation process and answering your questions on the Dirt In My Shoes YouTube channel!
Planning trip to RMNP in early June(4-6). Not sure how timed entry works. Exactly when do I get permit? Is it one month prior to exact dates(May 4-6) or one month prior to June 1st(May 1st}?
You’ll need to be online on May 1st to snatch up reservations for any dates in June!
We are planning a trip for September and October from NH and hoping to visit Indiana Sand Dunes, all of the Colorado and Utah parks, as well as Great Basin, Petrified Forest, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend and then Gateway Arch on our way back home. We have already visited 35 parks, but this will be our first big trip hauling a 26 foot camper with a Dodge Ram 1500 truck. We are just a husband and wife team and enjoy short hikes usually under 4 miles, love wildlife and history. We are probably limited to driving about 400 miles a day for big travel days. Do you have itineraries for this type of trip?
Hey Tammy! I provide itineraries for the individual parks, not full road trips. I do have some blog posts about road trip routes I like (you’ll find those routes in the How Many Days Should I Spend posts for some of the parks). Have a great time!