Best Times to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in 2025

Are you thinking of taking a trip to Rocky Mountain but are unsure of when to go? My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I can’t wait to help you decide when is the best time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park!

You’ll want to consider things like the weather, what’s open, and the crowds when choosing the best time to visit Rocky. Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:

• Beat the crowds: October
• Travel during the summer: June
• See lots of wildlife: September
• Go backpacking: July or August
• Save money: October
• Have a unique adventure: December

The weather in this park changes drastically each month.  Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park!

Average Monthly Temperatures in Rocky Mountain

This information is for the Estes Park area (7500 feet above sea level)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	39	41	45	53	62	73	78	77	70	60	46	40
Avg Low (F)	16	17	21	27	34	41	46	45	38	30	23	18
Avg Snow (“)	4.6	6.3	7.8	3.8	0.5	0.1	0	0	0.5	1	3.8	5.7
Avg Rain (“)	0.4	0.5	0.9	1.3	2	1.8	2.2	1.9	1.2	0.8	0.6	0.5

Winter in Rocky Mountain (December-March)

Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park can be an exceptional time to visit due to fewer crowds and a mixture of peace and adventure! If you’re planning to visit during the winter months, extra planning is crucial for a successful trip due to extreme weather changes and various road closures.

Portions of the Trail Ridge Road and the entire Old Fall River Road are closed during the winter, but you can typically still drive to popular areas like Hidden Valley, the Kawuneeche Valley, Bear Lake, and Wild Basin.

Skiing, snow-shoeing, sledding, and wildlife viewing are the best things to do in Rocky during the winter months. More information about planning an epic winter trip can be found here.

December in Rocky Mountain

If you’re looking for a fun Christmas getaway, December in Rocky can be a magical experience. Temperatures typically drop below freezing, so be sure to bring your warmest winter gear and get ready for some holiday fun.

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in December if you’re looking for a unique adventure. You’ll get to enjoy all of the beautiful winter activities in the park, and then you can head into town for exciting holiday events!

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• Activities to enjoy include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, ranger-led snowshoe walks, and wildlife watching. Find more information about winter activities in Rocky Mountain here.
• Park trails are icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• The local communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake host fun Christmas events for families to enjoy.
• The crowd levels are low.

January in Rocky Mountain

January in Rocky Mountain provides wonderful winter adventures and beautiful mountains covered in snow. Temperatures hover around freezing during the day, but the snow is usually perfect for skiing and snowshoeing.

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• Activities to enjoy include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, ranger-led snowshoe walks, and wildlife watching. Find more information about winter activities in Rocky Mountain here.
• Park trails are icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• The crowd levels are low.

February in Rocky Mountain

February in Rocky Mountain looks a lot like January, with cold temperatures and snow. Many things are still closed down for the season, so if you want to get out and see the park, you’ll want to strap on a pair of cross-country skis!

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• Activities to enjoy include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, ranger-led snowshoe walks, and wildlife watching. Find more information about winter activities in Rocky Mountain here.
• Park trails are icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• The crowd levels are low.

March in Rocky Mountain

March is still considered winter in Rocky Mountain National Park, so expect cold temperatures and snow up in these mountains!

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• Activities to enjoy include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, ranger-led snowshoe walks, and wildlife watching. Find more information about winter activities in Rocky Mountain here.
• Park trails are icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• The crowd levels are low.

Spring in Rocky Mountain (April-May)

Springtime is a time of transition in the park.  As the long winter starts to melt away, the animals begin 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.  Many trails are still snow-covered during the spring, but you may start to see wildflowers blooming in the lower elevations of Rocky Mountain during this time!

April in Rocky Mountain

April in Rocky Mountain is considered spring, though I wouldn’t ditch your winter coat just yet! Temperatures are starting to creep into the lower 50s during the day, and things are starting to open in anticipation of warmer weather ahead. Snow is still common in late spring, and the Trail Ridge Road isn’t fully open yet.

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• Biking is a popular springtime activity in Rocky. The Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road open to bicycles on April 1.
• Park trails are icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• Wildflowers begin to bloom in the park’s lower elevations starting around the end of April.
• The crowd levels are low.

May in Rocky Mountain

The world feels more alive when May arrives in the Rockies! Daytime temperatures are pleasant, and the park sees less precipitation at this time. May is a great time to visit the park before crowds start to swarm in for the summer if you’re okay with exploring Rocky’s lower elevation areas. The popular sights and trails in the park’s higher elevations aren’t usually accessible until late May or early June.

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side for most of the month. The entire road usually opens around Memorial Day (weather permitting).
• The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits. Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine Visitor Center opens in conjunction with the Trail Ridge Road at the end of May. The Moraine Park Visitor Center usually opens for the season at the end of May. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open for the whole month. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are usually open by the end of May. If you’re visiting at the beginning of May, the Moraine Park Campground is open year-round.
• Biking is a popular springtime activity in Rocky. The Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road open to bicycles on April 1.
• Park trails are still often icy and snow-packed, so traction devices and poles are recommended. Route-finding skills are important due to drifting snow and sudden blizzards.
• Wildflowers begin to bloom in the park’s lower elevations.
• The crowd levels are moderate.

Summer in Rocky Mountain (June-August)

The great thing about Rocky Mountain during the summer is that everything is open!  You’ll have unlimited lodging and dining options, plus access to all of the main points of interest, tours, programs, and visitor centers.

Your options are endless during the summer, but peak season comes with a price — crowds. Be prepared to share the fantastic sights of Rocky Mountain National Park with people from all over the world during the popular summer season.

June in Rocky Mountain

June in Rocky Mountain is characterized by warm weather and access to most of the park’s best hiking trails and viewpoints. The park campgrounds are running at full capacity by early June, and almost all park roads are open.

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in June if you need to travel during the summer, but hope to find slightly smaller crowds.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open except for the Old Fall River Road.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Biking, rock climbing, and hiking are popular summer activities in the park. Many higher-elevation trails may still be covered in snow at this time.
• Wildflowers are blooming in the park’s lower elevations and starting to bloom in the high alpine tundra.
• Thunderstorms are common during the summer months. These large storms typically roll in almost every afternoon, and the weather can change dramatically in a short amount of time. Avoid afternoon hiking in the high elevation areas of the park if possible.
• The crowd levels are high.

July in Rocky Mountain

The month of July is typically the busiest time in Rocky Mountain, so make sure you have a good plan for navigating the crowds and finding parking! Expect daytime temperatures to be in the high 70s, with afternoon thunderstorms almost every day.

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in July if you are hoping to go backpacking in the park.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Biking, rock climbing, and hiking are popular summer activities in the park. Some higher-elevation trails may still have snow until about the middle of the month.
• Wildflowers are blooming in the high alpine tundra.
• Thunderstorms are common during the summer months. These large storms typically roll in almost every afternoon, and the weather can change dramatically in a short amount of time. Avoid afternoon hiking in the high elevation areas of the park if possible.
• July is wildfire season in Rocky Mountain. You may find the air to be smoky from nearby fires, areas may be closed, or fire restrictions may be in place.
• Take advantage of the warmer nights by packing your tent and spending some time in the backcountry. It’s a great way to avoid all of the summer crowds and see a new part of the park!
• The Fourth of July in the town of Estes Park is amazing! Click here for details about the activities and fireworks.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

August in Rocky Mountain

August is another extremely busy month in Rocky Mountain, so make sure you have a good plan for finding parking and navigating through the crowds. Daytime temperatures are usually in the high 70s, but you’ll want to be aware that this is wildfire season. It’s not uncommon for the air to be smoky and the landscape views to be hazy.

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in August if you are hoping to go backpacking in the park.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open.
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• Biking, rock climbing, and hiking are popular summer activities in the park.
• Thunderstorms are common during the summer months. These large storms typically roll in almost every afternoon, and the weather can change dramatically in a short amount of time. Avoid afternoon hiking in the high elevations of the park if possible.
• August is wildfire season in Rocky Mountain. You may find the air to be smoky from nearby fires, areas may be closed, or fire restrictions may be in place.
• Take advantage of the warmer nights by packing your tent and spending some time in the backcountry. It’s a great way to avoid all of the summer crowds and see a new part of the park!
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

Autumn in Rocky Mountain (September-November)

A quiet solitude begins to fall over the Rocky Mountain landscape as the busy summer crowds start to die off.   A chill settles in as the animals and plants begin to prepare for winter…and it’s magical!

Autumn in Rocky Mountain National Park is fabulous, especially after Labor Day weekend.  A few highlights of a trip during this season include fall colors, bugling bull elk, fantastic wildlife watching, and more elbow room to enjoy the sights.

September in Rocky Mountain

September is my favorite time to be in Rocky Mountain National Park. The temperatures in early fall are still warm but comfortable, providing some of the most ideal hiking weather and trail conditions you’ll find during the year (sunny days and cool nights). The summer crowds have gone, but most things in the park are still up and running. This is a wonderful time to be here!

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in September if you want to see lots of wildlife, especially the bugling elk.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open, but weather-related closures are possible.
• All visitor centers are open, but some may begin operating on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are open, but some begin to close around mid-September.
• Many ranger-led programs are available.
• The elk rut begins in September! You can view the elk and hear the males bugling in the lower elevations of the park at this time.
• Fall colors begin to show around mid-September — you’ll love the golden hues of the park’s many aspen trees.
• The crowd levels are high, especially around Labor Day.

October in Rocky Mountain

It’s hard to know what you’ll get if you visit Rocky Mountain in October! Sometimes, the weather is mild and pleasant, but sometimes the snow comes and stays. Things start to close down in late October in preparation for the cold, but the weather just may hold out for some fabulous sightseeing opportunities.

I recommend spending time at Rocky Mountain in October if you’re hoping for cheaper hotel rates and a quieter experience.

What You Need to Know

• The alpine sections of the Trail Ridge Road close down by mid-October. After mid-October, the road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side.
• The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits. Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine Visitor Center closes down in conjunction with the Trail Ridge Road in mid-October. The Moraine Park Visitor Center closes in mid-October. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are usually closed by mid-October except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• The elk rut continues into October! You can view the elk and hear the males bugling in the lower elevations of the park at this time.
• Fall colors may still be lingering in October — you’ll love the golden hues of the park’s many aspen trees.
• The crowd levels are moderate.

November in Rocky Mountain

November in Rocky Mountain marks the end of the autumn season. You’ll start seeing temperatures that tend to stay in the 40s during the day near Estes Park, but it can easily creep down lower than that in the more mountainous areas! Snow is common during November, and the Trail Ridge Road is closed for the season.

What You Need to Know

• The Trail Ridge Road is typically open to Many Parks on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. The Old Fall River Road is closed. All other park roads are open as weather permits, but expect winter driving conditions (chains are often required). Road conditions can change at any time.
• The Alpine and Moraine Park Visitor Centers are closed. The Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open on reduced hours. You can see the current schedule here.
• All campgrounds are closed except for the Moraine Park Campground, where vault toilets and running water are available during the winter months.
• You won’t usually find enough snow yet to participate in winter activities.
• The crowd levels are low.

Now that you’ve learned about the best time to visit Rocky Mountain, you’re ready to make your dream trip a reality. Happy trails!

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