Which Entrance Is Best For Rocky Mountain National Park?
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike. With its stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, and miles of hiking trails, it’s no wonder that it attracts millions of visitors each year.
However, with multiple entrances to the park, it can be challenging to decide which one to use as a starting point for your adventure. In this article, we will explore the different entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park and provide recommendations on which one might be the best fit for your trip. Additionally, we will provide information about the operating hours of the visitor centers within the park to help you plan your visit accordingly.
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How Many Entrances Does Rocky Mountain National Park Have?
Rocky Mountain National Park has five main entrances:
- Beaver Meadows Entrance, located on the east side of the park, near Estes Park, CO
- Fall River Entrance, also located on the east side of the park, near Estes Park, CO
- Grand Lake Entrance, located on the west side of the park, near Grand Lake, CO
- Kawuneeche Entrance, also located on the west side of the park, near Grand Lake, CO
- Wild Basin Entrance, located on the southeast side of the park, near Allenspark, CO.
Each entrance offers unique scenery and access to different areas of the park. We’ll get more into that in the next section.
What Are the Best Entrances for Rocky Mountain National Park?
The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park depends on your interests and really, where you want to go in the park. Also, depending on where you fly into to get to Rocky Mountain, will play a role in this as well.
If you’re looking to explore the popular east side of the park, the Beaver Meadows or Fall River Entrances are great options. The Beaver Meadows Entrance is the park’s busiest entrance and is conveniently located near the town of Estes Park. The Fall River Entrance is also on the east side of the park and offers access to the popular Bear Lake area.
For those interested in the quieter west side of the park, the Grand Lake or Kawuneeche Entrances are good choices. The Grand Lake Entrance is the park’s only entrance that remains open year-round and offers access to the scenic Trail Ridge Road. The Kawuneeche Entrance offers access to the Colorado River and the park’s less crowded west side.
The Wild Basin Entrance is a great option for those looking for a quieter and less crowded experience on the southeast side of the park. Personally, for a popular national park – I always enjoy going to the quieter entrances and working my way through.
How Early Can I Enter Rocky Mountain National Park?
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but some roads and facilities may be closed due to weather or other conditions. The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, good for 7 days.
If you plan to visit one of the park’s visitor centers, their hours are as follows:
| Visitor Center | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Visitor Center | 9:00am – 5:00pm | Seasonal – open late May through early October |
| Beaver Meadows Visitor Center | 8:00am – 4:30pm | Year-round |
| Fall River Visitor Center | 9:00am – 4:30pm | Seasonal – open late May through early October |
| Kawuneeche Visitor Center | 9:00am – 4:30pm | Seasonal – open late May through early October |
| Moraine Park Discovery Center | 9:00am – 4:30pm | Seasonal – open late May through early October |
