RMNP

Here's a web site that shows peak attendance days at the park:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143048-i3489-k8807672-Best_time_to_visit-Rocky_Mountain_National_Park_Colorado.html

Probably right after school stops, but check with the park to see if Trail Ridge Road is open before you leave. They have had a lot of snow in the Rockies this year and access to that road may be late.

Ernie, we were there in September, and it was wonderful -- fall color and somewhat fewer folks. But don't make the mistake we almost made -- I decided not to go to the East side of the park because it was too crowded. Fortunately, DW decided I was wrong (nicely, of course).

She was right. Even if it is crowded, spend some time on the east side of the park, as well as the west side. There is a good reason that the whole park is crowded -- it is terrific.

Here's some good information on the subject... and many more subjects for the park on the park's web site. Explore this site thoroughly for lots of good information.

https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/news/pr_when_visiting_rocky_-plan_ahead_for_a_more_enjoyable_visit.htm

Ernie Fergler wrote:
When does Rocky Mountain National Park start peak season? I'd like to go before the big crowd invades. Thx in advance
Ernie

Colorado Schools out on Memorial Day - SO

I know as I will be there taking care of the Granddaughters.

Best of Luck

First hand experience here. The prime season runs pretty much from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but in the fall, September/October get a lot of action due to the elk rutting.

Last year, Trail Ridge Road was open for the season the weekend after Memorial Day. Open during the day, closed at night due to refreezing of melt off. Snow walls there were 20 feet high in places. It's always a freaky drive through those snow canyons. Closure for the season was around November 18th last year, which was several weeks later than usual, which is the weekend prior to Halloween.

Rocky had over 5.4 million visitors last year. If you're there during the week, and early in the season, the crowds are not quite so bad. On weekends, there will be delays getting in to the park, starting with the first weekend of Trail Ridge opening.

Last season, the several times I was up there, on the weekends, it was bumper to bumper traffic to get IN to the park. And on one occasion it was a nightmare getting out of the park. At dusk, coming out, the back up was around 45 minutes to get OUT of the park, due to looky loos stopping IN THE ROADWAY to take pictures of the elk near town.

The Beaver Meadows entrance to the park, by the Visitors Center, has a line at least a mile long at times. A tip -- use the Fall River entrance to the park, it's less crowded going that way. The town of Estes Park even has signs encouraging folks to do that. Also, if you're going to popular destinations such as Bear Lake, use the shuttles that run extensively between Bear Lake and various points in and around town.

Thom02099 wrote:
First hand experience here. The prime season runs pretty much from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but in the fall, September/October get a lot of action due to the elk rutting.

Last year, Trail Ridge Road was open for the season the weekend after Memorial Day. Open during the day, closed at night due to refreezing of melt off. Snow walls there were 20 feet high in places. It's always a freaky drive through those snow canyons. Closure for the season was around November 18th last year, which was several weeks later than usual, which is the weekend prior to Halloween.

Rocky had over 5.4 million visitors last year. If you're there during the week, and early in the season, the crowds are not quite so bad. On weekends, there will be delays getting in to the park, starting with the first weekend of Trail Ridge opening.

Last season, the several times I was up there, on the weekends, it was bumper to bumper traffic to get IN to the park. And on one occasion it was a nightmare getting out of the park. At dusk, coming out, the back up was around 45 minutes to get OUT of the park, due to looky loos stopping IN THE ROADWAY to take pictures of the elk near town.

The Beaver Meadows entrance to the park, by the Visitors Center, has a line at least a mile long at times. A tip -- use the Fall River entrance to the park, it's less crowded going that way. The town of Estes Park even has signs encouraging folks to do that. Also, if you're going to popular destinations such as Bear Lake, use the shuttles that run extensively between Bear Lake and various points in and around town.

Thom KNOWS follow this^^^^^ info

That's a lot of very useful info.
Thanks Thom.

Thom02099 wrote:
The Beaver Meadows entrance to the park, by the Visitors Center, has a line at least a mile long at times. A tip -- use the Fall River entrance to the park, it's less crowded going that way. The town of Estes Park even has signs encouraging folks to do that.

Using Fall River entrance also means avoiding huge lines getting through Estes Park itself.

Thom is the go to guy for info up there. It will be accurate and honest.