WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
The park experiences its peak visitation from June to September, during the summer and fall months. Trail Ridge Road is open only from Memorial Day to mid-October, but the dates may vary. The crowds are thinner in early June and later September. Fall foliage typically peaks in mid-September. The yellow Aspens make for some astonishing images.
Spring can be a chance to get some new growth, or you could still be hit with a blizzard. June will vary and can be rainy. July – September. On Trail Ridge Road, it can be 15°F–20°F cooler than at the park’s lower elevations. Wildlife viewing and photography are good all year, but fall is particularly notable for the rut, when bull elk become active. The rut, along with yellow aspen and fewer humans, is ideal in mid-October.
The autumn months at Rocky Mountain N.P. offer photographers and nature enthusiasts a unique and thrilling experience. The crisp air carries a sense of anticipation as the park enters its rut season, a time of vibrant colors and bustling activity. This is the prime time for photographing the majestic elk in their element as they gather in herds and engage in impressive displays of strength and dominance.
This location is also ideal for photographing the Milky Way at night, so be sure to check the moon phases for optimal photography opportunities. You can still see the Milky Way during October; it’s visible during the rut season in the last month. That’s why we like October the best.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
Exploring every detail of the vast and beautiful National Park would take at least two days. However, given its sheer beauty and endless photography opportunities, most people spend several more days in this captivating location.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
The park has two gateway communities: Estes Park, located on the east side, and Grand Lake, situated on the west.
By Car:
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
The park will implement a cashless payment system for all fees and transactions at entrances and campgrounds.
As we drove through the winding roads of Rocky Mountain National Park, our cameras ready, we couldn’t help but compare it to the Canadian Rockies. While it didn’t quite live up to that level of glory, we still photographed many dynamic shots. The park’s landscape was a mix of rugged peaks and serene valleys, with the Continental Divide splitting through its center. We were in awe as we explored the diverse terrain, from lush forests to rocky tundra. And amidst all this natural beauty, the highlight for us was spotting majestic elk grazing peacefully in their natural habitat.
A HIKER’S PARK
You can create dynamic, incredible landscape photography here, but plan to spend some time hiking to your chosen location to obtain your images. Many of the waterfalls and some, but not all, of the lakes are well off the beaten path. Two waterfalls are within a one-mile hike. Some waterfalls and lakes are up to 4 miles off the road. If you like to hike as much as you like to do photography, this is your park. We didn’t hike out to many of the waterfalls on this trip. Believe it or not, we’d rather do photography than go hiking.
WILDLIFE
Rocky Mountain National Park is the place for you if you are a wildlife photographer. Herds of elk and moose are one of the main attractions at this park. There are several areas where you will see signs that it is a public elk zone. If you go in October, you will arrive during the rut when the bull elk start to breed. Grab some fall foliage and elk shots, and you are in photography dreamland. Several areas are known for moose viewing, but it is less likely to see moose than elk. The area near the Moraine Park Discovery Center is home to a large elk population.
THE ELK RUT
For most of the year, adult elk tend to stick with members of their same gender. But during the breeding season, called the rut, fully grown males compete for the favor of female elk and will even try to protect a group of females known as a harem. To show dominance, rival males bellow and mirror each other’s movements while pacing back and forth. This behavior allows them to assess their opponent’s antlers, body size, and fighting abilities. If neither male gives up, they engage in antler wrestling, which can result in serious injuries for either bull.
IS THERE A QUIETER SIDE TO THE PARK?
Yes, the Grand Lake entrance is the quiet side. You will most likely find moose near the Grand Lake area entrance. Of course, early morning and at their dinner time is the best time to go looking. Take a look at the image to the right. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a good picture of the moose. It was taken before we ate breakfast on the Grand Lake side of the town in the Kuauwuneeche Valley, where many moose call home.
Some viewing areas are closed at night to avoid interfering with the rut. This sign indicates the period from September 1 to October 31.
ELKE VIEWING AREAS
East side of the park:
West side of the park:
The majestic Rocky Mountain National Park stretched before us, reaching a high point of 11,176 feet. There was a sense of drama as we made our way to the Alpine Visitors Center. The roads snaked up the mountain, with no guardrails to protect us from the steep drop below. Despite the nerves, we couldn’t help but admire the view of Beaver Ponds at the Great Divide, the perfect spot for photography opportunities.
HIGH ALTITUDES – BE CAREFUL
However, as we ventured higher and higher into the mountains, we couldn’t ignore that our energy levels were dwindling. It wasn’t until later that we realized it may have been due to our sensitivity to altitude. One of us had experienced dizziness and vertigo after arriving by plane and waking up at such a high elevation. Yet even with this challenge, we pushed to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park for some incredible night photography at an even more staggering altitude.
PLEASE SHARE
At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.
May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating dynamic and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, and for good reason—its views are breathtaking. Some of the most popular spots include:
BEAR LAKE AREA
This is an excellent spot to photograph the park’s diverse wildlife, including bears, elk, and deer. It also offers excellent views of the mountains.
THE MORAINE PARK AREA
This is a great place to photograph the park’s landscapes, including its alpine lakes, forests, and meadows. From here, you can also get some great views of the Rockies.
ADAMS FALLS
Adams Falls is one of the most popular photography areas within the park. The falls are located on the Big Thompson River and are easily accessible from the main road. There are several pull-offs along the road where you can park and walk to the falls. Adams Falls is an excellent location for photography, both during the day and at night. During the day, the sun illuminates the falls and creates a beautiful rainbow effect. At night, the falls are lit by spotlights, creating a stunning effect.
MILNER PASS AND POUDRE LAKE
Two of our favorites are Milner Pass and Poudre Lake. Milner Pass is situated on the Continental Divide, offering views of the surrounding mountains. The area boasts numerous hiking and backpacking trails, offering plenty to explore.
Poudre Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake perfect for those who love to fish, so you can get photographs of people fishing. The trail around the lake is easy to follow and makes for a great hike.
GORGE RANGE OVERLOOK AND TRAIL RIDGE ROAD
The Gore Range Overlook on Trail Ridge Road is one of the most popular areas for photography. The overlook provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests, and many visitors enjoy photographing the scenery from this vantage point.
FAR VIEW CURVE
Are you looking for a breathtaking view of Rocky Mountain National Park? Then head to Far View Curve! This popular spot is located on Trail Ridge Road and offers stunning panoramic views of the park. Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to capture the beauty of this place forever.
RAINBOW CURVE
If you’re looking for a good photography spot, look no further than Rainbow Curve. This popular spot is just off the main road and offers stunning views of the mountains and valley below. Visitors can also find several hiking trails nearby, making it the perfect place to explore the park.
DEER RIDGE JUNCTION
Deer Ridge Junction is one of the most popular areas. It is known for its stunning views, abundant wildlife, and easy access to various hiking trails.
One of the most popular trails in the area is the Deer Ridge Trail, which offers hikers beautiful views of the valley below. The trail is also great for seeing various wildlife, including deer, elk, and bighorn sheep.
Another excellent option for hikers is the Emerald Lake Trail. This trail takes hikers to Emerald Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the park. Along the way, hikers will also pass by Dream Lake and Nymph Lake.
The Flattop Mountain Trail is an excellent option for a more challenging hike. This trail leads to the summit of Flattop Mountain, which offers stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
No matter what your hiking level, Deer Ridge Junction has a trail that’s perfect for you. So come on and enjoy all this fantastic area has to offer.
HOW TO GET TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north-central Colorado, approximately an hour and a half from Denver. To get there, take Interstate 70 west from Denver and exit at the town of Estes Park. From there, follow the park’s signs.
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR LIST – NOT TO FORGET
WHAT ELSE TO BRING – A PACKING LIST
Here is some basic information to help you plan your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. You can find more detailed instructions on some of our other pages.
Here are some great options. We stayed at The Inn on Fall River and Colorado Cabin Adventures and bring you first-hand details and pictures.
THE INN ON FALL RIVER – STAY HERE
UPDATE 2026:
They offer a new Stone Brook Riverview Suits. An intimate mountain property offering a variety of self-catering lodging options along Fall River. This is a more upscale accommodation, or you can choose thier more rustic options as we did.
Book your stay here on the east side of the Park
1660 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517.(970) 586-4118, (800) 255-4118
Our favorite pick is the Inn on Falls River. It is located near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and is the perfect setting for a memorable photography journey.
The convenient location, directly between the village of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, means guests are not far from hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and biking in The Park or shopping and dining in downtown Estes Park!
Every room here at the Inn has special touches creating a sense of home and comfort; each room includes a wood-burning fireplace, gas grill, a private patio on the bank of Fall River, a kitchenette (including a microwave, toaster, and coffee pot), access to a shared hot tub and more. Cabin Amenities Include two bedrooms – Recently remodeled full bath – Private hot tub – Private outdoor fire pit – Wood-burning Fireplace – Gas grill on the patio – Full kitchen with gas stove, utensils, cookware, and small appliances – Riverside views of Fall River – Updated, color TVs with HBO and Disney – Towels, linens, robes for the hot tub.
All you need to know.
ENTRANCE FEES FOR 2026:
A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Several different entrance fees and pass options are available. These include:
Vehicle, motorcycle, or individual (bicycles/walk-ins) entrance passes are valid for 1 day only
Vehicle, motorcycle, or individual (bicycles/walk-ins) entrance passes are valid for 7 consecutive days
The Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass
America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series – including the interagency Annual Pass, the Interagency Annual Senior Pass, the Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass, the Interagency Access Pass, the Annual Military Pass, and the 4th Grade Pass.
Phone:
970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays – Fridays; and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturdays – Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.
WHERE TO EAT?
We ate at Sagebrush BBQ and Grill for dinner and liked it so much that we returned for breakfast. Go early for breakfast. There are lines everywhere at your quick take-out places. Better yet, bring a thermos in your suitcase, pack your meal to go and get out there early. Then, you don’t have to worry that the lines will hold you up. Lines were holding us up, and it was late September.
SUMMER – May 15th – October 14th , RV – Standard – Circle and Meadow sites $76.00 + tax, RV – River Sites – Premium Sites $95.59 + tax, RV – Overflow Parking $12.00 per day
WINTER – October 15th – May 14th, RV – River Sites – Premium Sites $48.22 + tax, RV – Overflow Parking $12.00 per day
970-586-3251.
Surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, Jellystone Park of Estes is the perfect Campground and RV Park for your family to explore nature at its best! Relax in nature, or join their planned activities for “kids” of all ages. A variety of sites are set among towering Ponderosa pines where wildlife abounds. Weekend Pancake Breakfasts. Pet-friendly campsites!
