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Rocky Mountain National Park Introduction
Rocky Mountain National Park is 416 square miles of rock-ribbed wildness and is the highest national park in the US, with elevations from 7860' to 14,259'. There are more than sixty peaks over 12,000'. More than one-third of the park is above treeline (11,200-11,500'), and tundra is a primary protected resource of the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park also has 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams, including the headwaters of the Colorado River. Forests range from relatively moist subalpine spruce and fir through open ponderosa and aspen stands. Great meadows lie adjacent to moraines on broad valley floors. Some valleys, like that of the Fall River, are classic glacial shapes.
Outdoor activities
Rocky Mountain National Park has 359 miles of trail that 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.
Climate
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 typical of the east side near Estes Park and the other associated with the Grand Lake area on the park's west side.
The high country of Rocky Mountain National Park is noted for extreme weather patterns. Shaped by elevation, slope, and exposure, these patterns can change rapidly.
Temperatures are often moderate at elevations below 9,400' (2,865 m).
A wide variation between day and nighttime temperatures is also typical of mountain weather.
Summer days in July and August often reach the 70's or 80's and drop into the 40's at night. All temperatures given are in Fahrenheit.
Based on ten years of precipitation data, Estes Park receives approximately 13.10" of moisture every year. Grand Lake receives about 19.95" yearly. This precipitation comes in the form of rain or snowfall through the year.
Other Details
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor centers are open less often.
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517-8397
Visitor Information 970-586-1206
Location
United States
40° 24' 48.5856" N, 105° 46' 34.9212" W
