Rocky Mountain Nat Park

Depends on when you are going.

Why drive that far and get that close and not visit RMNP?

evanrem wrote:
Going to Colorado for two weeks this summer and wondering if we should hit Rocky Mountain Nat park or just stay in the national forest around Vail and explore that area.

So do you have two weeks in CO or two weeks for the whole trip?

RMNP will be busy, no doubt. Worst is in the area around Estes Park. Without proper planning, getting through EP can be a nightmare. Yes, there are some very scenic places in RMNP, which is why it is busy. The west side is less busy, but the beetles have decimated stands of trees worse on that side.

You don't say when you are going. Any time much before Memorial Day can be quite tough as the high country is often still snowed in at that point. If you'll be here in the summer, it's busy many places, as CO is the destination for many travelers. Personally, Vail would be pretty low on my list of places to go. Skiing mecca, yes, but not RV friendly at all. Although Aspen is also glitzy, I think it offers far more in the summer than Vail. Again, limited camping options, esp. with your rig. You might luck out and still find a campsite at Redstone NFS CG where some sites have electric and water. Further up Bogan Flats also has sites you might fit into, but no services. If services are a must, check out the KOA near Carbondale.

Other CO options would be the Upper Arkansas River between Leadville and Salida, one of our favorite places to visit. Of course the whole SW part of the state is also an option. Durango has a number of CG options. Ouray to the north also has some opportunities. In between is some of the most fantastic mountain scenery in the US. From Ouray, you can also day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Your question is a little broad. If you could let us know the time frame and your interests, we can be more specific as to our recommendations.

BTW, you'll find reservations tough to get in some places on some weekends if you haven't already done so.

If you can only go in the summer, then yes it will be busy. We always try to go spring and fall to avoid the crowds. We were in Yellowstone in mid May this years and it was great. Low crowds, no bear or buffalo jams and the weather was in the 50's and 60's every day. But if you can't do the off season, then you may want to stay away from the busy areas.

Rocky Mtn. NP is very nice and no grizzly bears.

evanrem wrote:

Going to Colorado for two weeks this summer and

wondering if we should hit Rocky Mountain Nat park

IMHO you should at least drive through a see if it is anything like you thought it might be. Is Crowded but that’s because, like YNP it is POPULAR and GOOD. Like Yogi said “nobody goes there anymore it’s too crowded”. Lots of hikes that can be done with little or no crowds,(just get up and out early) Estes is Crowded Grand Lake not so much, we tend to stay in Grand Lake and in season will just drive through Estes. I, like you do not DO Crowds.

One more option would be to head up around Steamboat Springs – but, it, like Vail, is even pretty crowded in the Summer. Vail has a lacrosse tournament that is around the 4th of July and is now so crowded we no longer get even close then. Minturn to Red Cliff to Leadville on Rt 24 is Great so you might enjoy that if you are in the area, Then on to Buena Vista – Turquoise Lake – Twin Lakes – Arkansas’s River – Collegiates – Independence Pass (length restricted Rt 82) to Maroon Bells in the Toad/TV. I would suggest you might just find your sort of Heaven in Lake City – not crowded and just Beautiful. Ouray – Silverton - 4x4 trails to Die for - Telluride – Trout Lake – Dunton. Could make a run up toward Maroon Bells from this side and catch Marble and Redstone on Rt 133, then out to Moab on I-70

or just stay in the national forest around Vail and explore that area.

See above^^^

We will be continuing on to Arches NP.

If you go to Arches off I-70 I suggest that you jump off on Exit 214 in Utah to catch Rt 128 and follow the Colorado River into Moab, You will LOVE the Drive.

Is the Scenery and things to explore much different?

YES – It would take days to Explain.

Last year we went to Yellowstone and I had it with the crowds by the 4th day and

I hear RMNP is pretty busy also.

Yes! You are Correct!

Any input would be appreciated and maybe

some ideas on other things to see.

Tried to cover that above ^^^

We will be traveling with a 34ft TT.
Thanks

Tried to work up a map but I guess I just have too much to map out – If Vail is already on your Plan I would wonder where you will stay (Not a lot to camp in) The Leadville loop past Lake City and Ouray then on to Moab might work – lots to see and do all different and challenging/fun/exciting.

Just to name drop a few things Peak to Peak Hwy – Golden - Coors – Quincy’s – K’s – Lake City to Silverton on the Alpine Loop/4x4 trail – Train Ride – Hot Tubs - ……………………………

Think you might Like Colorado.

Hope this is of some help,

evanrem wrote:
Going to Colorado for two weeks this summer and wondering if we should hit Rocky Mountain Nat park or just stay in the national forest around Vail and explore that area. We will be continuing on to Arches NP. Is the Scenery and things to explore much different? Last year we went to Yellowstone and I had it with the crowds by the 4th day and I hear RMNP is pretty busy also. Any input would be appreciated and maybe some ideas on other things to see. We will be traveling with a 34ft TT.
Thanks

Is the Scenery and things to explore much different?

Do you mean between Vail and RMNP, or those two areas vs Yellowstone? They are all very diverse. RMNP gets you way above timberline on a drive on Trail Ridge Road that has to be experienced, as it's difficult to describe. There is a great difference in scenery between Vail and RMNP.

Last year we went to Yellowstone and I had it with the crowds by the 4th day and I hear RMNP is pretty busy also

Over 4.5 million people visited RMNP, and it's about 1/5th or smaller the size of Yellowstone. A goodly percent of folks that visit, don't get much off Trail Ridge Road, and the Alpine Visitors Center up top is packed from opening to closing each day, with Rangers now directing traffic on busy weekends. Just sayin'. If you didn't like crowds in YNP, you probably won't in RMNP. On the weekends, just to get in to the park, you need to arrive very early, like 7ish in order to avoid the lines to get in, which can stretch for a mile or more. Word to the wise...use the Fall River Entrance rather than the Main/Beaver Meadows entrance. Far less crowded trying to get in, but still will be a line.

RMNP offers a LOT of things to do for folks who want to get off the beaten path, and want to do more than about 90% of the folks going there do. In particular, if you're in to hiking, head out of Estes Park on CO 7 and go to the Wild Basin Entrance to the Park. Lots of good trails to hike in that area, beautiful scenery. It does get crowded there as well, but that's because the parking lots are much smaller there.

If you want to stay inside the Park, depending on when you're planning, make reservations NOW. There is a 180 day window, and I can guarantee that weekends within that window are fully booked. I know, because I had to go with some of my 2nd and 3rd choices on the first window day. Also,of the two campgrounds that you may want to consider, Moraine Park is the more popular and in high demand. Glacier Basin is higher in altitude and not quite as popular. Also easier to get reservations, but still can be difficult.

Your 34ft TT will also limit your selection of sites within the CGs in RMNP. There's simply not that many spots that can accommodate a larger trailer. My 25footer is no problem. Get beyond 30 feet and it becomes more tight.

Don't get me wrong...RMNP is one of my very favourite places to go, and I go there often. Since I live close, I can go frequently. I'm also a realist, and this is the reality of RMNP.

One thing that I've been doing in recent years is staying in the USFS CGs south of Estes Park, along CO 7/CO 72. There's 4 of them that one can choose from. No hookups, and they are also popular, but easier to get reservations. H E R E is a link to the CGs in that area...Olive Ridge/Camp Dick/Peaceful Valley are in fairly close proximity to Estes Park. Pawnee CG is no reservations, first come/first served, but if you can get there in the middle of the week, I guarantee you won't be sorry. At over 10000 feet the views are incredible, the hikes are exhilerating and the experience is to be experienced!

Personally I don't think Rocky Mountain National Park is worth fighting the crowds. You can hike to some nice waterfalls, and lakes, but even if miles from the trailhead, you encounter a lot of people. Trailhead parking is difficult, with the shuttle service only being so so. If you tow your trailer over the mountain, you'll be stuck behind and extremely slow moving Subaru, probably with the red lettered license plate both ways. On the downhill side they go so slow you'll have to be in first gear where the engine brake doesn't work. If you want to hang with the crowds, or hit the shops in Estes park it's okay I guess. For outdoor adventure or wilderness experience, not a good choice.

Just my opinion, RMNP is a bucket-list item, like Yosemite, Mt. Rushmore, The Mona Lisa, The Eiffel Tower, Venice.

I'm not going back to see Mona again, but I'm glad I went - once.

There's a reason the national parks are so crowded - especially in the summer. They are unique and one-of-a-kind.

I agree, our parks are getting 'loved to death' - too many people but that's for another post.

There are plenty of wonderful national forest campgrounds surrounding the parks if you want a little more quiet atmosphere but don't expect to go to the popular places and expect no crowds. Colorado has some great small towns and areas to explore. I think those might be for you. Some are Buena Vista, Leadville, Gunninson, Silverton, Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Lake City, Ouray.

I'd suggest spending a few days on the west side of Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park at Grand Lake and doing a day trip on Trail Ridge Rd. and perhaps work in a nice hike. Then you can see what it's all about without dealing with all the crowds for days. Yes, the beetles have ruined much of the forest on the west side but there are still lovely places to explore.

Good luck finding your spot in Colorado. They're out there!