1-Day in Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids + Best Things to Do {2024}

Are you looking for a family-friendly guide to visit Rocky Mountain National Park with kids?

In this article, we’ll walk you through a sample 1-day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary followed by a detailed list of the best things to do with kids.

Our 1-Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary includes epic scenery, beautiful lakes, and exciting scenic drives.

We also feature our favorite family-friendly hikes and tips to help you plan the perfect visit.

Read on for a 1-day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary and analysis of the best things to do with kids!

*Important: This article has been updated with information regarding the required Timed Entry Reservations for summer 2024.

Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids

Located in Northeast Colorado, a family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is a US bucket list destination for many families.

Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 265,000 acres of pristine wilderness making it one of the largest national parks in the United States.

With over 4.5 million annual visitors, Rocky Mountain is also one of the most visited parks within the National Park System.

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, it’s important to first stop at one of the park’s 4 visitor centers to get a park map, get an up-to-date weather update, and check on the park’s road conditions and possible closures.

For instance, we start our visit at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and move on from there.

As the largest visitor center in the park, it is open every day from 9:00 AM -4:00 PM and offers a 20-minute introductory video worth watching.

Rocky Mountain National Park Reservations

Visitation to Rocky Mountain National Park has surged within the last decade and has led to severe crowding at many park destinations.

To control the crowd level and improve visitor experience, a Park Pass (entrance fee) and Timed Entry Reservation are required to visit any area of the park from May 24 through mid-October, 2024.

It is essential to visit the National Park Service website to determine when and how to make reservations to visit the park.

1-Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

If you’re short on time and only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, I recommend exploring Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Road.

As one of the best scenic drives in the country, Trail Ridge Road is truly the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park and is a must-do when visiting there.

1. Visit Bear Lake

• Get to Bear Lake by 7:30 AM as parking there fills up fast. If you’re not early enough, plan to take the Park N Ride free shuttle.
• Hike Bear Lake Loop: <1 mile long, paved, takes 30 minutes to complete.
• View Alberta Falls via Sky Pond Trailhead: the most popular waterfall in the park, a paved, 2-mile hike round trip that takes 1 hr. and 30 minutes to complete.
• From Bear Lake Road, turn left into Hwy 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road (keep your eyes out for Bighorn sheep and elk).

2. Drive Trail Ridge Road

• Travel along the 42-mile-long Trail Ridge Road stopping at the following popular overlooks:
• Rainbow Curve Overlook
• Forest Canyon Overlook (3 miles from Rainbow Curve)
• Lava Cliffs
• Gore Range Overlook

3. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center

• Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center. This is the highest visitor center in the entire National Park System!
• Admire the views, visit the gift shop, use the restrooms, and grab a bit to eat at the cafe’.
• Hike up Alpine Ridge Trail: <.5 miles, very steep with several steps, breathtaking views.

4. Head to Grand Lake

• After visiting the Alpine Visitor Center, continue on 23 more miles to Grand Lake.
• When in Grand Lake, visit the Holzwarth Historic Site.

Tips for Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids

If you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, it’s important to understand the general layout and know what there is to do before you arrive.

Though Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular tourist destination, knowing the best things to do for kids will make your family trip less stressful and ensure that the trip appeals to, and is safe, for all ages in your family.

Rocky Mountain National Park Tips

• Make timed entry permit reservations as soon as you’re able.

• Have a thought-out plan and research kid-friendly hikes ahead of time as there is limited (often nonexistent) Wi-Fi in the park.

• Start your hikes early in the day to avoid crowds.

• Check the weather each day before heading out. Afternoon thundershowers are common so always be sure to pack lightweight rain gear.

• Also, big temperature changes occur going from lower to higher elevations, so always plack layers.

• Prepare for a lot of walking and ensure everyone wears comfortable and supportive walking shoes or boots.

• Consider the limited food options within the park. Plan ahead by packing a reliable cooler filled with road trip meals and snacks.

• Don’t forget to bring a pair of travel binoculars. Spotting wildlife isn’t as easy and close-up as in some other National Parks, and you obviously want to keep a safe distance, especially when spotting bears.

• Remind your kids not to pick wildflowers or plants, or get too close to the wildlife.

Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

There are plenty of activities to do in Rocky Mountain National Park year-round!

Some activities are seasonal to either winter or summer, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park with kids is from June to September when the snow is (mostly) melted and there are more accessible hikes available to children, as well as summer-exclusive programs.

This is also when seasonal family-friendly activities like horseback riding and river rafting are available.

Along with the summer months offering ideal weather conditions and full accessibility, this is also when the park is the most crowded, however.

Unless you’re a very early riser it may be difficult to get immediate parking at popular overlooks or to get to the popular Bear Lake area of the park until the end of the day.

With that said, summer offers plenty of daylight so you can pack in a lot of activities in the park.

Late September and early October are also great times to visit Rocky Mountain National Park with kids. There are fewer crowds, stunning fall foliage, and the weather is usually still favorable.

If you’d rather experience RMNP in relative isolation and enjoy its many winter activities including skiing and snowshoeing, visit between the months of October and May.

Keep in mind that in the winter, several roads, including the popular Trail Ridge Road, are closed due to snow accumulation and adverse weather conditions.

The bottom line is that whether there’s sunshine or snow, the park is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although accessibility varies.

Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids

With plenty of opportunities for exploration, family-friendly hikes, and several outdoor adventures, families marvel at the variety of family-friendly things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.

You must be very selective and research ahead of time when choosing kid-friendly activities in Rocky Mountain National Park if you want it to be enjoyable, however.

The last thing you want is to find yourselves on a hiking trail or rafting excursion that is too difficult, scary, or too long for the ages and abilities of your family.

Here’s our list of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids!

1. Go hiking

The most popular thing to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids is to go hiking!

From difficult and strenuous, to flat and family-friendly hikes, this park has it all.

Throughout the park, you’ll find easy access to hiking trails and some truly spectacular views as you reach higher elevations. 

Some of the easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to do with children are the Lily Lake Loop (.8 mile), Bear Lake Loop (.8 mile), and Alluvial Fan (.2 mile) because they’re low in difficulty and high in beauty!

If you’re in the mood to chase waterfalls, Adam Falls and Alberta Falls are good options. 

And finally, The Loch and Alpine Ridge Trail are awesome for tweens and teens.

2. Enjoy a scenic drive 

A gorgeous drive is one of my favorite family activities when traveling, and the Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to enjoy one!

There are plenty of amazing views to see in the park including those from the overlooks and trails on both Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.

Trail Ridge Road is a paved highway that spans 48 miles from Estes Park to Grand Lake. The highest point of this drive is 12,183 feet providing amazing panoramic views of the mountain range.

Old Fall River Road, on the other hand, is a 9.4-mile gravel, one-way road that leads cars along the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face past waterfalls, pine forests, and Fall River Pass.

These scenic drives are a perfect addition to any Rocky Mountain National Park family itinerary.

3. Explore the lakes

Another one of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids is to explore the beauty of its many natural, freshwater lakes.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s lakes make for wonderful hikes, amazing photo ops, and the perfect place to stop for a waterfront picnic.

If you’re thinking of exploring some of the gorgeous lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, you should consider:

• Grand Lake
• Emerald Lake
• Nymph Lake
• Lily Lake
• Sprague Lake
• Bear Lake (no swimming allowed)

Please note that some of these lakes are more easily accessible than others with Bear Lake, Lily Lake, and Sprague Lake being the most accessible options for families.

More accessibility information is available here. 

4. Become a Junior Ranger

The Junior Ranger Program is sponsored by the National Park Service to help spark fun, curiosity, and learning among kids in regard to protecting National Parks.

If interested, kids complete a series of activities during their park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate.

Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.

Kids can also enjoy free activities and pop-up courses put on by the Junior Ranger Headquarters from late May until the end of August. 

During this time, park rangers will take kids on educational adventures, including scavenger hunts and other fun activities. 

5. Go fly fishing or ice fishing

With an abundance of streams and lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing!

In fact, if you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity suitable for all ages, fishing is one of my favorite things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids!

Depending on the time of year when you visit, there are options within the park for both fly fishing and ice fishing. 

Read up on where to rent gear and find the best places to go fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park here.

6. Camp under the stars

Why not get the most out of your experience by camping under the stars, right in the park?

While you can’t exactly set up anywhere, there are several campsites available within the park.

Standard sites are $35/night during the summer season, with reservable and first-come-first-serve options. 

If you’re visiting in the off-season, you can take advantage of their winter campsites at the Moraine Park Campground for $30 a night. 

You can find more information on campsites in the park here. 

6. Take in the wildlife

There is so much amazing wildlife to explore in Rocky Mountain National Park making wildlife spotting one of the most popular pastimes in the park.

600-800 elk, over 350 bighorn sheep, numerous mule deer, and a small population of moose call the park home.

You might also spot black bears, coyotes, and yellow-bellied marmots.

Whenever there is a spotting of larger animals, traffic typically comes to a halt as visitors stop to take photos and admire them.

7. Go rock climbing

If you’re traveling with older children, you can enjoy a beginner’s rock climbing camp through the Kent Mountain Adventure Center.

While this experience is limited to kids ages 12-17, adults can join in with a course of their own!

This is a great way to experience a bit of adventure in the mountains while bonding as a family over a newly learned skill. 

8. Take a tour or attend a ranger-led program

Guided tours and ranger-led programs are always worthwhile to gain local knowledge and view the park in ways you’ve never imagined. 

You can tour with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy to learn about important environmental conservation efforts throughout the park or work with an independent company to arrange photography tours, hiking tours, Alpine Visitor Center tours, etc.

9. Drop by a Visitor Center 

Need some more information on the park?

Drop by one of several Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers to learn about the park, purchase souvenirs, use the restrooms, and gain access to a park map.

Visitor centers can give you up-to-date information on hiking trails, park conditions, seasonal activities, and more.

They can also offer invaluable local advice to help make your family trip one to remember. 

Visit the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center upon entering the park, as well as the Alpine Visitor Center located at the peak of Trail Ridge Road.

10. Journey to Milner Pass (the Continental Divide!)

As far as bucket list activities to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids, viewing the continental divide is surely up there!

This divide separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, along with some awe-striking views of the Rocky Mountains. 

You can hike to this area or experience it by driving Trail Ridge Road. 

11. Go skiing or snowshoeing

Rocky Mountain National Park becomes a winter wonderland in the colder months, and many guests choose to explore the great outdoors by way of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Whether opting for a ranger-led snowshoe walk or venturing out on your own, snowshoes can be rented in the nearby towns of Grand Lake or Estes Park.

The same goes for cross-country skiing.

There are no winter equipment rentals available within park boundaries, but there are plenty of outfitters in surrounding towns.

12. Try snow tubing 

Hidden Valley was once a skiing area in Rocky Mountain National Park, though it was closed to skiing in the 90s.

The spirit of winter adventures remains at the bottom of the old bunny hill, however.

Located 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance and the Fall River Entrance on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, kids can enjoy hours of snowy fun tubing, sledding, or making snow sculptures. 

Additional planning tip: Snow tubes and sleds are not available for rent on-site.

Come prepared by renting your equipment from the Estes Park Mountain Shop. 

13. Go horseback riding

Horseback riding is such a fun way to enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park with kids!

We did this ourselves and highly recommend it!

Personally-owned horses, mules, ponies, llamas, and burros are allowed on park trails if you would like to bring your own animals along.

There are also two stables located within the park (Glacier Creek Stables and Moraine Park Stables) as well as many stables outside the park that offer guided horseback rides.

Find contact information for the various stables in the area here.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids

Family vacations should be fun for all!

That’s why the adventurous spirit of Rocky Mountain National Park is a no-brainer.

There’s nothing more ageless than the great outdoors. 

With kid-friendly activities that adults will love, this outdoor vacation is going to be a hit. 

So get planning and have some fun!

*Before leaving, check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*