Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip
Denver, Colorado
About This Activity
Rocky Mountain National Park is about 90 minutes from Denver and makes a spectacular day trip. Drive the famous Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuous paved highway in the US at over 12,000 ft), stop at scenic overlooks, and keep an eye out for elk, marmots, and bighorn sheep. Popular stops include Bear Lake and the Alpine Visitor Center. Important: A timed entry reservation is required from late May through mid-October (book at recreation.gov starting May 1). The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Allow a full day for the round trip from Denver.
Compare with Alternatives
See how Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip stacks up against other must-see activities nearby.
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 159 of our curated itineraries.
More Activities in Denver
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Visit the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a world-famous outdoor concert venue set among 300-million-year-old red sandstone formations
Downtown Denver & LoDo
Explore downtown Denver's vibrant LoDo district with Union Station, Larimer Square, and the 16th Street Mall
RiNo Art District
Wander Denver's River North Art District, home to over 200 street murals, craft breweries, and creative studios
Golden Triangle Museum District
Visit Denver's premier museum district: the Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, and Clyfford Still Museum
Denver Botanic Gardens
Stroll through 24 acres of cultivated gardens featuring alpine plants, water gardens, and a world-class tropical conservatory
Mount Blue Sky Day Trip
Drive up the highest paved road in North America to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans)
Coors Brewery Tour in Golden
Tour the world's largest single-site brewery in the charming mountain town of Golden, 30 minutes from Denver
City Park & Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Explore Denver's largest park with the Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Zoo, and panoramic mountain views