Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations and Fees

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain National Park has five official campgrounds, with about 570 sites in all. The quick answer is yes, you can camp inside the park. But without an advance reservation, don't count on finding a site between May and September. Sites go fast on Recreation.gov as soon as the reservation window opens.

Campgrounds in the park (5)

• Campground Aspenglen Campground recreation.gov · 52 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Glacier Basin Campground recreation.gov · 150 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Timber Creek Campground recreation.gov · 98 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Moraine Park Campground recreation.gov · 244 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Longs Peak Campground recreation.gov · 26 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Rocky Mountain National Park?

Yes, and that's a real advantage. Many major American national parks have completely privatized their lodging options. Here, the five campgrounds managed by the NPS remain open to everyone, with no need to stay at a resort or lodge. Wild camping isn't allowed outside designated sites unless you have a specific backcountry permit, as explained below. Campfires are allowed only in the fire rings provided at each site.

Campgrounds in the Park

Moraine Park Campground

The park's largest campground has about 245 sites. It's the only one open year-round, making it the default choice for an off-season or winter visit. Electrical hookups are available at some sites, making this the best base for well-equipped RVs. When we visited in September, elk came down to graze in the adjacent meadow every evening. It was a free show included with the stay. Rate: about $30 per night, or $40 with an electrical hookup.

Glacier Basin Campground

About 150 sites, including group sites. Open from late May through mid-September, depending on snowfall. Located near the Glacier Basin Trailhead, this is the campground for hikers on the east side. You'll hit the trail before the crowds arrive. Tents and small RVs are allowed. Rate: about $30 per night.

Aspenglen Campground

About 50 wooded sites along the Fall River, near the Fall River Entrance. Open from late May through early October. Its small size makes it popular and quick to fill up, so we recommend booking even earlier than elsewhere. Tents and small RVs, subject to length restrictions, are allowed. Rate: about $30 per night.

Longs Peak Campground

Twenty-six sites, tents only. It's designed for hikers who want to start climbing Longs Peak (14,259 feet, the park's highest point) at dawn. Motorized vehicles longer than 26 feet aren't allowed. Open from late May through early October. Rate: about $30 per night.

Timber Creek Campground

About 98 sites on the park's west side, roughly 9 miles from the Grand Lake Entrance. It's the only campground on the west side, so it's essential if you're crossing the park via Trail Ridge Road from Granby or Grand Lake. Tents and RVs are allowed, but there are no hookups. Open from mid-May through mid-October, depending on snowfall. Rate: about $30 per night.

RV vs. Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?

RV campers have several solid options. Moraine Park remains our top recommendation, with spacious sites, electrical hookups, and easy access from Estes Park. Timber Creek also works well for RVs on the west side, without hookups. Aspenglen and Glacier Basin accommodate smaller vehicles, but check the length restrictions on Recreation.gov before booking. Longs Peak is strictly for tents.

For routes, suitable equipment, and services designed for RVs, see our Rocky Mountain RV camping guide.

Camping Nearby: Campgrounds Outside the Park

When the park is full, which is common from June through August, several private campgrounds and National Forest sites open around Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. Camping outside the park doesn't exempt you from the required Timed Entry Permit during certain periods. Check the entry requirements on the NPS website. For alternative lodging outside campgrounds, see Rocky Mountain lodging options.

Wild Camping and Backcountry Camping (Permit Required)

Backcountry camping is allowed with a specific permit, available on Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. More than 260 backcountry sites are spread throughout the park, along varied routes and at high elevations. Permit fees apply when you make the reservation. Spending the night outside a designated site without a permit is a violation punishable by a fine.

We recommend booking your backcountry permit at the same time as your flights. Reservation windows open at 8 a.m. local time, and the most popular areas, including Bear Lake and Flattop Mountain, fill quickly. For details on routes, difficulty levels, and trail logistics, see our Hiking guide.

How and When to Reserve a Campsite in Rocky Mountain National Park

All reservations go through Recreation.gov, with a six-month window, or 180 days, before your stay. For a July trip, open your browser in early January at the exact opening time. Aspenglen and Glacier Basin sometimes sell out in less than ten minutes. Moraine Park stays a little easier to book because of its size.

A few first-come, first-served sites remain at Moraine Park in the off-season. Plan to arrive before 9 a.m. to give yourself the best chance.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Rocky Mountain National Park?

The park entrance fee is added to these rates. It starts at $30 per vehicle per visit, or $70 for the annual Rocky Mountain pass. To compare all America the Beautiful passes and entrance fees for U.S. national parks, our Entrance Fees & Passes page explains the basics.

Camping Safety and Best Practices

Black bears. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to an active black bear population. Storing food in the metal bear boxes provided at every site is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. Don't leave food, cosmetics, or scented products such as toothpaste and sunscreen in your tent or in plain view inside a vehicle.

Altitude. The campgrounds sit between 7,900 and 10,500 feet. If you're arriving from Denver or the lowlands, allow 24 to 48 hours to acclimatize before strenuous activity. Persistent headaches, nausea, or shortness of breath at rest are warning signs to take seriously. Don't try to push through them.

High-elevation thunderstorms. From June through August, thunderstorms frequently develop in the early afternoon. Leave ridges and exposed areas before noon. A perfectly blue morning sky can turn to hail by 2 p.m. That's the mountains, not the coast. Our Weather page provides day-by-day forecasts.

Cold nights. Even in July, temperatures at elevation can drop below 41°F. Bring a sleeping bag rated for at least 32°F in summer, along with thermal layers for nighttime.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

Families with kids: Moraine Park. It's the largest and best equipped, with the elk meadow as a bonus.

Hikers focused on trails: Glacier Basin for the east side, or Longs Peak for the climb of the same name.

RV camping: Moraine Park, with hookups, or Timber Creek, on the west side without hookups.

Nature and solitude: Aspenglen for its small size and wooded setting, or backcountry camping with a permit if you really want to get away from it all.

Off-season: Moraine Park only. It's the only campground open in winter.

To plan everything, return to our complete Rocky Mountain guide and narrow down your travel window with our guide to the seasons in Rocky Mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions