How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the main attractions in Colorado and more specifically in Denver, which, due to its proximity, is the ideal destination from which to explore this natural wonder. Located about 100 kilometres from the city centre, this park contains glaciers, lakes, peaks reaching 3700 metres high and steep valleys that mark the landscape of the region.

Whether you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park on an organised tour or on your own by car, bus, train or taxi, seeing this place is one of the best things you can do during your trip to Denver to discover the surrounding scenery at any time of the year.

If you want to get to know the Rocky Mountains in a comfortable and complete way, one of the best alternatives you will find is to participate in an organised tour. These experiences will allow you to tour what is considered one of the most popular destinations in the United States and is located only about 100 kilometres from downtown Denver.

These experiences, which are among the best excursions from Denver, last approximately 8 hours and, during the tour, you will be able to contemplate the variety of landscapes of this park, which contains glaciers, lakes, peaks that reach 3700 metres above sea level and valleys that you will be able to cross through the marked trails. These excursions usually include refreshments, transfers to and from your hotel and entrance to the park.

Along the way, you can also visit Long's Peak, the highest point in the park, and view a variety of local wildlife, from native birds to elk, deer, antelope, goats and bison. You can also get a sweeping view of the region from here, which will change according to the time of year. For example, if you plan to visit Denver in winter, you will see the snow-capped peaks from here.

Towards the end of these experiences, you can also visit the Stanley Hotel, a famous mountaintop lodge in Estes Park that is known for being the inspiration for Stephen King's novel The Shining, which was later made into a blockbuster movie.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 159 euros.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these options: one of the most comfortable options.
• Disadvantages of these options: they do not include stops in nearby villages.

If you prefer an independent option for your trip that allows you to drive at your own pace, visiting the Rocky Mountains by car from Denver is an ideal alternative. A drive of approximately 1.5 hours will take you to the park from the city centre along I-70 W, which is one of Colorado's trunk interstates.

This drive will not only allow you to get to the park quickly and comfortably, but also to explore the natural beauty of the city's surroundings, especially if you plan to visit Denver in the summer. The interstate will take you through beautiful scenery including Golden, a historic town known for its Old West charm, and Evergreen, a site surrounded by forests and lakes that offers a seasonally changing palette of colours.

On the other hand, many travellers choose this alternative because of the flexibility it offers, as you have the freedom to choose the day and time of the tour, as well as the stops in between that allow you to discover small communities such as Idaho Springs, famous for its natural hot springs, or Georgetown, a town with Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets, famous for its mountain railway.

Just be aware that if you plan to visit Colorado's capital in winter, some roads may be icy or snow-covered, which could complicate your itinerary.

Useful details

• Price: Car rental costs approximately 78 euros per day.
• Duration: approximately 1.5 hours.
• Advantages of these options: You will be able to organise your own itinerary.
• Disadvantages of these options: In winter it can be an uncomfortable alternative.

One of the best ways to visit the Rocky Mountains without compromising your budget is to use the shuttle bus service from Denver International Airport. This option, which costs around 10 euros per person, is ideal for those who want to explore the site as cheaply as possible, and is popular with visitors who fly into Denver exclusively for this activity.

The shuttle bus ride, which takes approximately 2 hours, will take you through a scenic drive to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenic views, but once you arrive at your destination, you'll have to continue the drive into the park on your own.

This option, however, is perfect for travellers on a budget, as it offers an inexpensive way to get to the park without sacrificing the experience. In addition, at Estes Park you can explore the local charm, sample regional cuisine and immerse yourself in the culture of nearby communities. And if you're planning to visit Denver in December, you'll find Christmas decorations on the main street.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 10 euros.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of these options: it is the cheapest alternative.
• Disadvantages of these options: you will have to continue the tour inside the park on your own.

The train ride from Union Station is also an alternative way to get to the Rocky Mountains, although it's a rare option because the train only goes as far as Fraser, so from there you'll have to continue by taxi or car to the park entrance. In total, this journey can take more than 3 hours, making the train an unpopular alternative.

However, the train ride is a good option if you are looking for an alternative route and want to enjoy the scenic views. Unlike the other options that will take you along interstate highways, the train tracks pass through Thorodin Mountain, Dakota Hill and Winter Park, where you'll find some of the best scenery in the region, especially if you plan to visit Denver in winter.

The train can also be an economical option, as you'll find many Amtrak services that make the journey from as little as 13 euros per person. Just bear in mind that you'll have to add the cost of a taxi ride to the park entrance.

Useful details

• Price: approximately 13 euros.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Advantages of these options: you will get to see some of the best scenic landscapes around Denver.
• Disadvantages of these options: It doesn't go all the way to the park, so you'll need to book a car or taxi from Fraser.

From Denver you can also get to Rocky Mountain National Park by long-distance bus, but you'll have to transfer in Boulder and continue your journey by taxi or other means of transport, so it's a rarely used option and only reserved for last-minute trips.

The great thing about bus tours is that they start at Union Station, a central location in Denver that is perfectly combinable with the itineraries of the city's best tours or other nearby attractions, so you can do several experiences in one day. This is ideal if you're planning a 3-day stay in Colorado's capital city or even less.

However, the long-distance bus alternative is rarely used because Boulder doesn't offer much in the way of activities, so it's not usually an interesting place for an intermediate stop. Apart from that, this is an economical option, as RTD services are available for an initial cost of approximately 5 euros per person. You'll have to add the cost of a taxi or shuttle car to that fare.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 5 euros,
• Duration: The journey to Boulder takes around 30 minutes.
• Advantages of these options: they start in downtown Denver and are ideal alternatives for a last-minute hire.
• Disadvantages of these options: You will need to transfer in Boulder.

There is no one best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park; it largely depends on your preferences and the type of experience you're looking for. However, many people find that summer, specifically June through August, is the most popular time to explore the park and other nearby natural attractions, such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

During the warmer months of the year, temperatures in the park are generally pleasant, ranging from 15° to 25°, which is conducive to outdoor activities and hiking trails on the summits. It is also during this time of the year when all the trails in the park are open, which will allow you to get to know this site in depth.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit Denver in October or during the autumn months, you'll also find good weather in the park. During this season, the foliage of the trees changes to warm, golden hues, creating a Rocky Mountain landscape not to be missed. Also, crowds tend to thin out at this time, making for a quieter and more serene experience.

If you're a winter activity lover, the December to March season will offer you the opportunity to enjoy the snow-covered park. Although some areas may be closed, you'll be able to take part in activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as enjoy the scenery of the snow-capped peaks for some of the best photographs of your trip.

The answer will depend on many factors, but if budget is not a constraint on your trip I suggest you opt for some of the best tours offered to visit the park. This will allow you to relax on an organised tour and relinquish control of the logistics and transport, so you can focus on the journey. Also, these experiences usually have an expert local guide to assist you throughout the itinerary.

On the other hand, if you value independence and flexibility and plan to visit several of the nearby towns in Rocky Mountain National Park, then a rental car tour is the way to go. This option is popular with travellers who come to Denver just to see the park, although if you plan to visit the city during the winter, be aware that the roads may be icy and snowy.

If, on the other hand, your trip is budget-minded, then you can find budget alternatives on the train and bus routes, although the most cost-effective option is the shuttle bus, which runs very frequently from Denver International Airport to Estes Park, a picturesque town that marks one of the entrances to the park.

Features of each of the alternatives