5 Rocky Mountain National Park Camping Spots for Your Trip + Tips & FAQs

This guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners.

When exploring the outdoors, I encourage you to follow Leave No Trace Principles and be respectful of where you are so we can preserve these spaces for future generations. ♥️

Want to know what your options are for Rocky Mountain National Park camping?

I really believe that you don’t fully appreciate a national park until you’ve gotten a chance to camp in or near it. While Rocky Mountain might not have as many options as some of the other national parks, that doesn’t mean that those options are subpar. In fact, I would highly recommend making the effort to camp there if you can!

However, because it is such a popular park, snagging those reservations can be a challenge, and knowing where to camp for your particular needs can be even more difficult. As someone who has been here several times, I know that it requires some more planning than usual since it is so busy!

We’ll go over what each campground in the park has to offer, as well as if you need to make reservations in advance or if they are first-come, first-served. Some campgrounds also allow RVs, while others do not, so that’s another thing you will want to know before you go ahead and commit to a certain site. We’ll touch on all of that in this article!

In summary: This article will cover the campgrounds within Rocky Mountain National Park and what you need to know before you book. It will also include some personal tips and common FAQs about camping here.

Quick tip: We’ll only cover the frontcountry camping options in this article. If you would like to camp in the backcountry, you’ll want to do some additional research so you have the right info for your adventure!

Map of Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds

1. Moraine Park Campground

My favorite campground in the park! Located at 8,160 feet with incredible mountain views and frequent elk sightings. Open year-round (limited in winter), 244 sites, and great access to popular trails. Reserve well in advance for summer stays–this one fills up fast!

Open: Year-round

RVs allowed: Yes

Reservations: Yes (May through October)

Dump station: No

Fee: $35 in summer, $20 in winter

Number of sites: 244

Pets: Yes

Restrooms: Toilets and running water

2. Glacier Basin Campground

Situated at 8,500 feet with stunning views of Longs Peak. Easy access to Bear Lake area and shuttle stop makes it perfect for hikers. 150 sites available, typically open late May through September. Great choice for families!

Open: May through October

RVs allowed: Yes

Reservations: Yes

Dump station: Yes, seasonally

Fee: $35

Number of sites: 150

Pets: Yes

Restrooms: Toilets and running water

3. Aspenglen Campground

Intimate campground near Fall River Entrance at 8,200 feet. Just 52 sites nestled among pines and aspens, offering more privacy than other campgrounds. Close to Fall River Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road access.

Open: Year-round

RVs allowed: Yes

Reservations: Yes (limited first-come, first-serve in the winter)

Dump station: No

Fee: $30

Number of sites: 52

Pets: Yes

Restrooms: Portable toilets

4. Timber Creek Campground

The only campground on the park’s west side. First-come, first-served with amazing views of the Never Summer Mountains. Perfect for moose watching in Kawuneeche Valley. More open sites due to pine beetle damage, but still beautiful.

Open: May through October

RVs allowed: Yes

Reservations: Yes

Dump station: Yes, seasonally

Fee: $35

Number of sites: 98

Pets: Yes

Restrooms: Toilets and running water

Join the community! Love the outdoors? Join my free Facebook community where we chat and share information about national parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more! JOIN HERE!

5. Longs Peak Campground

Small, rustic campground at 9,500 feet–perfect for Longs Peak summit attempts. First-come, first-served, tent-only sites. Basic amenities but incredible location for hiking access. Pack warm layers–it gets cold up here even in summer!

Open: July through September

RVs allowed: No

Reservations: No–first-come, first served

Dump station: Yes, seasonally

Fee: $30

Number of sites: 26

Pets: Yes

Restrooms: Vault toilet and no running water

Tips for camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

Here are some tips I found helpful for camping in Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Be prepared for the elevation: Not only might you notice that it’s a bit more difficult to breathe, but it can get colder during nights, as well. Make sure you pack the right items and you’re ready for chilly weather at night during the summer months.
• Book your reservations well in advance: Because Rocky Mountain is such a popular national park, campsites tend to book up super quickly. You’ll want to look into getting your site up to six months in advance if possible.
• Watch out for wildlife: It’s common to see wildlife on campgrounds in Rocky Mountain–especially elk. If they are out and about, remember to keep your distance and make sure that your food is properly stored. Many of the campgrounds have storage lockers for this purpose.

Rocky Mountain National Park camping FAQs

Here are some commonly-asked questions I get about camping in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Conclusion

Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best ways to experience the park. While you can definitely get the feeling from staying in Estes Park, there’s something about pitching your tent and getting to see the incredible stargazing opportunities that the park has to offer. I highly recommend making a reservation if you are planning on connecting with nature on your trip!

Have any questions about the campgrounds in Rocky Mountain? Let me know in the comments!