Rocky Mountain National Park
Address:
Phone:
970-586-1206NileGuide Expert tip:
The Continental Divide runs northwest to southeast through the center of the park atop the high peaks. This accounts for two distinct climate patterns - one arid on the east side near Estes Park and the other more humid with almost twice the annual precipitation in the Grand Lake area on the park's west side.Description:
This living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park has elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak. The park is easily accessed via the town of Estes Park, which is a 45-minute drive from Boulder.Over three hundred miles of trail offer endless opportunities to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Anglers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests.
Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color, and autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut (mating season).
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