Rocky Mountain National Park Camping
- Thread starter Crash
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treerootCO
Rising Sun Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2005
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Simpson will chime in I bet. Pole Hill / assuming the flood damage has been repaired. Johny Park Road is also close by.
Well camping in the park will give the quickest access 
Though it does cost money. I suspect most of the campgrounds aren't full this time of year but it could still be crowded. The weather has been outstanding the last week so there has been lots of weekend traffic of people up from the front range. Out of state crowds have started to taper off.
If they are looking for general at large forest service camping, there is not a ton. Pole hill is probably the best bet, I assume it is still open. Both Pierson Park and Johnny Park roads were closed due to the flood last time I was there. Johnny park has some dispersed camping right before the closed gate, maybe 2-3 sites. However that's a ways south of the park on highway 7, so would take probably 30 min to get into RMNP proper.
In that same area is Bunce school road; not sure but I believe there is some dispersed camping in the area if the road is open. A quick call to the FS could confirm.
There are a few county camprounds in the Estse area too. Hermit park is across the road from Pole hill.
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/campgrounds.cfm#hhc
HTH
Though it does cost money. I suspect most of the campgrounds aren't full this time of year but it could still be crowded. The weather has been outstanding the last week so there has been lots of weekend traffic of people up from the front range. Out of state crowds have started to taper off.If they are looking for general at large forest service camping, there is not a ton. Pole hill is probably the best bet, I assume it is still open. Both Pierson Park and Johnny Park roads were closed due to the flood last time I was there. Johnny park has some dispersed camping right before the closed gate, maybe 2-3 sites. However that's a ways south of the park on highway 7, so would take probably 30 min to get into RMNP proper.
In that same area is Bunce school road; not sure but I believe there is some dispersed camping in the area if the road is open. A quick call to the FS could confirm.
There are a few county camprounds in the Estse area too. Hermit park is across the road from Pole hill.
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/campgrounds.cfm#hhc
HTH
Fishy
Hard Core 4+
We've camped at Timber Creek a bunch. It's in the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of the park. There is a camp fee, but you get a nice site with water and flushable toilets on property. It isn't primitive camping that's for sure and there will be other campers there. We were there a lot this summer and the elk were everywhere. They come right into camp every night...... like just a few feet away from your tent which is cool for the kids. Obviously, this isn't the time of year that you want to get too close, especially if there is a bull around. They may not even come into camp right now because of the rut. We only saw a few last week. You'll hear the bulls bugling for sure though.
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/camping.htm
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and my cousin was able to get some great photos. He was a little surprised at all of the ideas you guys came up with and really appreciates your input. He did find Estes to be packed for their last big weekend of the season and finding a camp spot was far from easy. He had to punt on a couple of options as Pole Hill Rd was gated due to flood damage, Olive Ridge was closed, several of the Park camping areas were closed for maintenance. I think he wound up in the Elk Meadow area. Anyway, thanks, Rising Sun, for taking the time for all of your suggestions.
Steve
Steve