n
i
a
t
n
u
o
M
y
k
c
o
R
k
r
a
P
l
a
n
o
i
t
Na l o r a d o
C
o
The Rocky Mountain National Park is much bigger
in area than the Congaree National Park, and the
great wide open spaces and mountain bluffs make
for amazing photographs, especially in the fall. The
colors are vivid, the air is cool with a subtle breeze,
and the skies that sit above the mountain ranges are
as blue as an ocean. The Rocky Mountain National
Park is nearly 267,000 acres in area, and is home to
some busy wildlife during the fall, including elk and
bighorn sheep. Although we just missed the bugling
season, some elk can still be heard making those
signature grunts and bellows off in the distance.
Until late November, you can expect bighorn sheep
to be head-butting each other and strutting around
the park.
The unique combination of habitats within the park,
and the fact that the Continental Divide runs north
to south through its center, make Rocky Mountain
National Park a must-visit destination for the scenery
alone. Lookouts, like the ones from Bear Lake or
Pikes Peak, bring so much color and variety to the
eye, that you’ll spend a good while simply staring off
into the wilderness.
Rocky Mountain National Park has a very high ele-
vation, one of the highest in the country, that ranges
from 7,000 feet to nearly 15,000 feet. The highest
point in the park is Longs Peak, which has an eleva-
tion of 14,259 feet. The variety of ecosystems makes
Rocky Mountain one of the most unique parks in the
nation. There are four distinct ecosystems within the
park: montane, subalpine, alpine tundra, and ripar-
ian. The riparian ecosystem is one that thrives on
the banks of rivers and occurs throughout the entire
park. The variety of different habitats allows for
nearly 400 species of mammals and birds to thrive
within the park boundaries. Spectacular sightings in-
clude the gray wolf, the American bison, and the
grizzly bear.
There were a recorded 4.5 million visitors that came
to see the park in 2016, so you may want to plan
ahead before dropping in. Take advantage of the
free park shuttle in case parking lots become full.
Call ahead for campground reservations and always
check the weather before heading out. Popular
campgrounds, such as Glacier Basin and Aspen-
glen, will fill up quickly, so reservations are a must if
you’re wanting to camp out here. The Timber Creek
Campground is on the west side of the park, and
usually fills up last, so that may be a better option if
you are planning a quick, last-minute trip. You will
want to arrive at the visitor center as early as possi-
ble for information, guide schedules, brochures, and
permits. For the best chance at avoiding larger
crowds, trying visiting on a weekday during the fall
season.