Media Contact:
Rachel Oppermann
Visit Estes Park
ROppermann@VisitEstesPark.com
(970) 586-0500
Rocky Mountain National Park was 2018’s 3rd most visited national park.
All of that world-class mountain scenery and adventure comes with a little dose of reality though—you won’t be alone in wanting to experience it. The park’s 4.59-million visitors in 2018 tell that story quite well, and summer road closures and lines at the park’s east entrances and popular trailheads are common.
Take it from the folks who live and work in Estes Park – there are ways to avoid the effects of everyone realizing how awesome Rocky is (and, seemingly, visiting at once).
Most importantly – plan ahead. Knowing which trails to tackle first, how to get to them, the park’s busy times and where you’re going to stop for your morning coffee will save you a surprising amount of time – and a lot of frustration. Some things you can decide or do ahead of time?
- When to leave. We recommend an alpine start. In the biz we use this term to mean get an early start. RMNP has implemented a timed-entry permit reservation system from May 28 to October 11, 2021. If you're headed to the Bear Lake Corridor, you'll need one from 5am to 6pm, alternatively just 9am-3pm for the rest of the park. Going late is also a great option, as the park tends to clear out early evening, allowing for wildlife spotting around dusk and beautiful sunsets.
- Buy an entrance pass online. Cutting down the amount of time you spend at the entrance gate cuts down the amount of time everyone spends at the entrance gate.
- Decide on your route. Knowing where (and how) you plan to see the park before you get there means avoiding long lines to chat with rangers at the Rocky Mountain National Park's visitor centers. Consider a guided tour into the park. Numerous tour companies will be thrilled to give you a seat on their Jeep or bus and tell you why they love the park so much.
- Make a plan B. Know that your chosen #1 may not pan out—and that’s OK. It’ll be there tomorrow too, but have a plan B for how to fill your day, whether that’s a scenic drive, a walk through town, or another trailhead or hike option.
Another idea: make a trip out of it. Stay overnight in Estes Park to make that alpine start or to have another day to shop Elkhorn Avenue. Game nights and live music happen regularly and there is always a smattering of special events going on. Pair that with excellent food and local booze tastings and you’ve got yourself one heck of an awesome trip; it’s a great tactic to make sure you have a second chance to hit the park– and to live like a local.
Visit Estes Park's mission is to drive tourism and year-round economic growth through effective and efficient destination marketing. For more details about VEP go to VisitEstesPark.com.
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Visit Estes Park – The Destination Marketing Organization
1200 Graves Ave / P.O. Box 4426
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
(970) 586-0500
www.Facebook.com/EstesPark
@VisitEstesPark