Rocky Mountain National Park

Located in north central Colorado, west of and in between the cities of Fort Collins and Boulder, Colorado, the Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 415 square miles and protects a majestic ecosystem. The earliest native peoples that permanently occupied the region were the Utes who dominated the area until the late 1700s. In the1800s, Spanish explorers and French fur trappers were busy in the region, and the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 drew hopeful miners and speculators. By 1900, there was a growing national conservation and preservation movement, and in 1909, Enos Mills, a naturalist and nature guide advocated for the creation of the Rocky Mountain National Park. On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act.

Rocky Mountain National Park features spectacular scenery, with majestic mountain views, tundra wildflowers, wooded forests, abundant wildlife, crystal clear streams and lakes, varied climates and environment, and over 350 miles of trails. Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, over 100 peaks ascend above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. These magnificent mountains, along with open ponderosa pine forests, cradle the Estes Valley, providing a vision of nature’s beauty and awe-inspiring vistas.

Some wildlife in the area are easily visible, while others are elusive. Mule deer and elk are often in the open, but snowshoe hares, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, beaver, and moose are all inhabit the Rocky Mountain National Park. During summer, hummingbirds, brilliant bluebirds, noisy nutcrackers, magpies and jays abound, along with hundreds of butterfly species. Furthermore, golden eagles, peregrine, prairie falcons, and red-tailed Cooper's hawks can be spotted by birdwatchers.

Several scenic drives begin on the park's east side near Estes Park. One of the most famous routes, Trail Ridge Road, travels through the center of Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park to Grand Lake, passing spectacular scenery such as at Rainbow Curve where you can see the Alluvial Fan and Horseshoe Park, and at Forest Canyon. Still, there are more than 80 hiking trails in the Rockies, with outstanding panoramic views, waterfalls, lakes, and other pleasant features. Longs Peak lives up to its name at 16 miles, while the shortest, Alpine Ridge Trail sits at 0.6 miles. The Rocky Mountain National Park is a mountain paradise that is full of adventure and scenery.

 This is a digitally colored map designed by Lisa and her team.

All sizes are approximate.