Towing to Rocky Mountain National Park

I personally wouldn't pull that combination in those mountains. I haven't towed in that area, but I think it would be a scary experience. If you had an Excursion, my answer would be different.

Was there yesterday, you gain about 2800 feet from Loveland to Este Park, up Big Thomason Canyon, twisty road but no problem. If you are worried camp in Loveland. Its a beautiful place, we go up three or four times a year. We usually stay in hotels because we are there only for two days or so, its only 130 miles from our house. New Years night going to dinner we hit a BIG elk, busted out the wind shield in our car. That was a first for us and we have been there over the last 25 years at least 50 times.

Jaycodragger wrote:
We are thinking about a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Was wondering if anyone has been there towing a travel trailer. I am pulling a 2008 Jayco 28 BHS with a 2008 Expedition which does an OK job on the highway. I see the campgrounds are at 8000 feet or higher.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

I'm local, having been in this area since '81, so I'm a semi-native! I go up to Rocky a lot and camp at a variety of locations there. As long as you're planning to tow only up to the Estes Park area, you should be fine. I tow there all the time with a 2003 Tahoe LT and a 2007 Keystone Outback 25RSS and it's fine...at the lower elevations. NOT RECOMMENDED for going up on Trail Ridge Rd with the trailer.

Depends on where in RMNP you're looking to go, and what time of year. There are 3 campgrounds inside the park on the east/Estes Park side, at varying elevations. These CG inside the park are very popular, so reservations, particularly for Moraine Park are advised. There are some first come/first served spaces but they go quickly. There is one park on the west/Grand Lake side, Timber Ridge, but to access it is recommended to come in from the south via US 40 from I-70 to US 34.

Roads inside the park where these 3 campgrounds are located (all three at lower elevations on the east side) are very good, wide and not a problem for pulling a trailer. Access to all three are good, with Aspenglen probably the tightest to get in. Moraine Park is easy to get into and is very popular. Glacier Basin is at the highest elevation at ~9000ft but it's not difficult or steep to get to.

Here's a link to more info on camping in RMNP:

Camping in RMNP

There are a variety of commercial campgrounds in the Estes Park area. Here's a link to what's available commercially:

Este Park CG


There are a lot of areas immediately around Estes Park, notably along CO 7 or US 36 where there are USFS campground sites. Again, it's going to depend on when you're planning to visit as to whether these would be viable. Most don't open until mid-May due to snow still being in the campgrounds; some don't open til June or July.

For the 2015 summer season, it is very likely that US 34, the main route from Loveland to Estes Park will be closed or severely restricted for most of the season. CDOT is planning major road renovation from the floods of 2013 and plan to replace the temporary roadway with a more permanent one. I don't have a timeline on that yet, just that it is currently in the design phase and construction is definitely set for 2015. If I had to guess, I'd say it will probably start in April for the preliminary work.

I pull a slightly smaller trailer with a 03 Expy/ less HP/ fewer gears and a 07 like yours. The 07 is faster up the steepest stuff and more gears means better speed control coming down. That said I still use the 03 more often, it has the better ride. Most of the time hair pin curves keep you from going too fast no matter what you are in. Being in control going down hill is much more important than fast up it.

I also made the trip from Michigan with an '04 Expy and a 4,400 lb. trailer. It required a lot of patience going uphill, but we made it. Your Expy has a few more HP and torque so that would make it a bit easier.