Rocky Mountain National Park

There are five drive-in campgrounds and two group camping areas in the park one group campground is winter only, one is summer only. Three campgrounds, Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, and Aspenglen, take reservations, as does the group-camping area at Glacier Basin. Other park campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and fill on most summer days. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups at any campsites. The water is turned off in the winter at all year-round campgrounds but drinking water is available at entrance stations and open visitor centers.

Aspenglen Campground

Located at 8200 ft elevation, with 54 sites. The campground is seasonal, opening in 2010 on May 26 and closing on September 25. Reservations accepted and recommended. Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 30 feet. The A Loop is for tents only, including walk-ins, the B Loop does not allow generators allowed, and the C Loop allows generators.

Glacier Basin Group Sites

Reservations accepted and recommended. This group campground is tent-only. The small sites #1 & 13 fit 9 - 15 people and a maximum of three vehicles. The medium sites #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12 fit 16-25 people and a maximum of four vehicles. The large sites 7, 8 & 9 fit 26- 40 people and a maximum of five vehicles. There is no limit on number of tents, but no more than five vehicles per site are allowed.

Longs Peak Campground

Located at 9500 ft elevation and open year-round, this tent-only campground has 26 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served no reservations taken. The trailhead to Longs Peak and other destinations is a short distance away.

Moraine Park Campground

Located at 8160 ft elevation, this campground is open year-round and has 245 sites. Reservations accepted and recommended from May 26 to October 4, 2010, and it is first-come, first-served the remainder of the year. There is a recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 40 feet. Trails from the campground connect to numerous other trails, and shuttle bus access is available. This campground is well-situated for exploring the eastern part of the park and is very clean. There are no showers at the campground you have to go in to Estes Park - find them at laundromat in the same shopping centre as the Safeways.

Moraine Park Group Sites

Open winter only, this tent-only group site is first-come, first-served. The small sites fit 10 - 15 people, medium sites 16-25 people, and large sites 26 - 40 people. There is no limit on number of tents, but no more than five vehicles per site are allowed.

Timber Creek Campground

Located at 8900 ft elevation with 98 sites. This campground is open year-round starting on May 28, 2010. It is first-come, first-served, with no reservations taken. There is a recreational vehicle and trailer length limit of 30 feet.

Technically, there is no lodging within the park, but the nearby towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake have numerous options.

backcountry

You must have a backcountry/wilderness permit to camp overnight in the park's backcountry/wilderness. You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry Office or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. To minimize impacts on the park's resources, the number of permits issued is limited. You may obtain day-of-trip permits in person year round. You may make reservations by mail or in person anytime after March 1 for a permit for that calendar year. You may make reservations by phone from March 1 to May 15 and anytime after October 1 for a permit for that calendar year.

You can also call the backcountry office at 970 586-1242 to reserve a permit. For all reservations:

Include your name, address, zip code and telephone number.

List an itinerary with dates corresponding to campsites or crosscountry area where you plan to stay. If you plan to stay in a crosscountry area, indicate the areas and elevation where you wish to camp.

Specify the number of people that will be in your party. Limit of 7 per party for individual campsites and crosscountry areas. Limit of 12 per party for group campsites.

There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods non-refundable. Fees are not to be sent when requesting reservations, but are payable by cash or check only when the permit is issued.

During the busy summer months, if you have a permit reservation, you must pick up the permit by 10 AM on the first day of your planned backcountry/wilderness stay, otherwise, the permit will be cancelled in its entirety, and given to other backpackers. If you know you will not be using your permit, please cancel your reservation as soon as possible.