Few campsites in Colorado are as sought after as those inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk wander through the meadows of Moraine Park at dusk, Glacier Basin looks up at the peaks of the Continental Divide, and Timber Creek on the quieter west side sits beside the headwaters of the Colorado River. Because demand is so high, the park runs summer camping almost entirely through Recreation.gov, and campsite bookings are tied to its timed entry system.
The five campgrounds
| Campground | Side of park | How to get a site | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspenglen | East, near the Fall River entrance | Reservation in summer | Smaller campground close to Estes Park |
| Glacier Basin | East, on Bear Lake Road | Reservation in summer | Near the Bear Lake corridor and park shuttle routes |
| Moraine Park | East, above the Moraine Park meadow | Reservation in summer | Reopened after a multi-year utility rehabilitation; elk often nearby |
| Timber Creek | West, along Trail Ridge Road | Reservation in summer | Close to Grand Lake and the Kawuneeche Valley |
| Longs Peak | East, south of Estes Park | First-come, first-served | Tents only, no water, fills quickly |
Site counts, fees, vehicle limits and exact season dates are listed on the NPS campground page and on each Recreation.gov listing. For 2026, the park announced that Longs Peak would open on July 2 and close on September 8, and that Timber Creek would close for the season at noon on October 5, after a planned sewer project was rescheduled. Dates shift each year, so check before you plan.
How reservations work
- WhereRecreation.gov or 877-444-6777.
- WhenSites sell out in advance for summer; check each listing for its release window.
- Same dayThe park says there are no same-day sales at its campgrounds.
- Stay limitA 7-night limit applies to all campgrounds in the summer season.
Our reservations guide covers tactics for booking competitive federal campgrounds, including watching for cancellations.
Campgrounds and timed entry
In summer and early fall, the park requires timed entry reservations for most daytime arrivals. Campers get special treatment, with conditions:
- Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Timber Creek reservations include a timed entry permit, according to the park.
- Entry starts at 1 p.m. on the first day of your camping reservation, which is also check-in time. If you want to enter earlier that day, you need to arrive outside timed-entry hours or buy a separate timed entry reservation.
- Timber Creek entry does not include the Bear Lake Road corridor, which needs its own reservation during its season.
- Longs Peak Campground fees do not include timed entry, so plan your arrival time or buy a separate reservation.
- A park entrance pass is still required for everyone.
Policies are reviewed each year. Read the park's campground and timed entry pages for the current wording, including how Moraine Park is handled.
Wilderness camping and backpacking
Beyond the campgrounds, the park has designated wilderness campsites reached on foot. Overnight trips require a wilderness permit, reserved on Recreation.gov, and the park says a wilderness permit serves as your timed entry reservation.
- For the 2026 summer season, reservations opened March 1 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time; walk-up permits are limited.
- Permits must be picked up in person at a park Wilderness Office before your trip.
- Approved bear-resistant food storage canisters are required for all wilderness overnights.
- There is no dispersed camping; you camp only at your assigned designated site.
- Individual sites hold 1 to 7 people; group sites hold 8 to 12.
- The summer season runs May 1 to October 31 with an administrative fee; winter permits are handled differently and are not reserved in advance.
See our backpacking permits guide for how Rocky Mountain compares with other permit areas in Colorado.
Camping tips for the park
Food storage
Black bears live throughout the park. Use the food storage lockers provided at campsites where available, or keep food in a hard-sided vehicle with windows closed. Never leave coolers, food or scented items in a tent or out on a table. Our bear safety guide has the details.
Elk and other wildlife
Elk are common in and around the east-side campgrounds, particularly in September and October during the rut. Bulls can be aggressive. Give them at least 25 yards and never walk between animals.
Weather
The campgrounds sit at roughly 8,000 to 9,500 feet. Nights can be near freezing even in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms are routine. Pack a warm sleeping bag rated well below the forecast low and a rain fly that actually keeps out rain. See our weather and altitude safety guide.
If you cannot get a site
National forest campgrounds and dispersed areas in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests surround the park, and Estes Park and Grand Lake have private campgrounds. Remember that camping outside the park does not include timed entry, so plan to enter early or late, or buy a timed entry reservation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park?
In summer, yes, at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park and Timber Creek. The park says reservations are required, are made on Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777, and that there are no same-day sales. Longs Peak Campground is the only first-come, first-served campground in the park.
Does a campground reservation include timed entry?
For Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Timber Creek, the park says the campground reservation includes a timed entry permit, with initial entry from 1 p.m. on the first day of the reservation. Timber Creek's entry does not include the Bear Lake Road corridor. Longs Peak Campground's fee does not include timed entry. Check the park's current campground page for Moraine Park's details.
How long can you camp in Rocky Mountain National Park?
The park lists a 7-night limit for all campgrounds during the summer season.
Can you camp in Rocky Mountain National Park in winter?
Yes. The park says camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the spring and winter season at the campgrounds that remain open. Expect snow, cold nights and limited services.
Sources
- NPS: Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds
- NPS: Timed entry permit system
- Recreation.gov: Timber Creek Campground
- Recreation.gov: Longs Peak Campground
- NPS: Wilderness camping guide
- NPS: Wilderness overnight backpacking
- Recreation.gov: RMNP wilderness permits
- NPS: Timber Creek sewer rehabilitation news release
- NPS: Rocky Mountain National Park contacts
Checked against official agency sources in October 2026. Fees, reservation windows, fire orders and closures change often; the agency pages linked above are always the final word. See how we research.