RV Camping Alternatives Near Rocky Mountain National Park
When you are planning your summer adventures, make sure you take advantage of the fee-free days at all the national parks this year!
To make the most of your trip, check out these 5 RV parks near Rocky Mountain National Park. Make one your base camp for adventure and exploration of this breathtaking national park.
Make sure you plan ahead! This stunning national park brought in over 4.5 million visitors in 2019 – mostly during the summer and fall months.
Here are the 5 best RV parks near Rocky Mountain National Park for you to visit.
1. Winding River RV Resort
Stars: 8.8 stars
Reviews: 65 reviews
Winding River Resort is a family campground and also offers cabins and lodge accommodations. This RV park is located on the west side of the Rocky Mountain National park and also borders the Arapaho National Forest. In the 1800s, this RV park was a logging camp – now, it is the perfect western setting for the avid outdoorsmen, photographers, and artists.
This RV park near the National Park has the following amenities: restrooms with showers, onsite laundry, and a camp store. Plus they have a wide range of outdoor activities.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
2. Moraine Park Campground
Stars: 8.7 stars
Reviews: 26 reviews
Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. At an elevation of over 14,000 feet, guests will be in awe of the breathtaking craggy peaks and lush valleys.
This campground is suited for RV boondockers as it has RV sites without hookups. However, the roads are paved and the parking spots for RVs are gravel. Within the campground, there are flush toilets, dish washing stations, and drinking water available. Plus, there are two solar shower stall facilities.
3. Glacier Basin Campground
Stars: 8.5 stars
Reviews: 15 reviews
Glacier Basin Campground is adjacent to Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. Similar to Moraine Park, this campground has RV sites without hookups, but the roads and parking spurs are paved. Flush toilets and drinking water stations are available. Plus, this campground allows group camping – perfect for meeting up with friends.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers free shuttle bus stops in the campground. The shuttle system provides access to many park trailheads throughout the Bear Lake corridor and to the town of Estes Park.
This RV park is perfect for those set up for dry camping who want to explore the park without having to take their own vehicle (or if you have a driveable rig and no toad – like a Class C).
4. Elk Creek Campground & RV Resort
Stars: 7.9 stars
Reviews: 59 reviews
Elk Creek Campground & RV Resort provides easy access to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Elk Creek, and Grand Lake. The campground has a variety of sites available to cater to your specific service needs.
This RV park near Rocky Mountain National Park offers restrooms and showers, onsite laundry, WiFi, “honey wagon” services, a dump station, playground and arcade for the kids, a general store, and an abundance of wildlife including moose, elk, deer, and chipmunks!
Photo by Elk Creek Campground & RV Resort
5. Estes Park KOA
Stars: 7.1 stars
Reviews: 43 reviews
Estes Park KOA is just 5 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park! This park is ideally suited for small RVs and trailers. Make this campground your base camp for exploring the town of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Park amenities include cable TV and WiFi, a pavilion, onsite laundry, dog walk area, and free in-town shuttle service.
Find more RV parks near Rocky Mountain National Park
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Jennifer lives with her husband and their two cocker spaniels in a 29′ trailer in Mexico. She is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full time RVers.
Staying at the RV parks within Rocky Mountain National Park means that you do not need daily reservations to get into the Park. Glacier is nice, but the sites are very small but spaced apart, and there are length restrictions on what can camp there. No water or electricity but some generator hours are allowed. There is a dump station. RMN Park on the east side near Estes Park is very crowded, but the west side not so much.
Hey Fitzhugh, great information! Thanks for sharing
Except for Winding River…I would have to disagree with the other four mentioned. Sadly, the west side of RMNP is riddled with a major burn scar from last year’s fires and just isn’t the same. It’s going to take a few years. Yes, Estes Park is crowded like Yellowstone but people with rigs over 35 feet would be better served at Mary’s Lake, Spruce Lake, and Elk Meadows RV campgrounds. The KOA is nice but good luck getting a sizeable rig in there and getting level. Yes, being in the park is very convenient…but there are size restrictions and access challenges. Thanks! 🙂
We have stayed at Winding River RV Resort in the past and it was beautiful. However, I understand that it burned to the ground in a fire last year . I have heard it is open again, but not sure what it looks like now.
All good RV parks; have stayed @/visited several of the featured camp grounds. I would add to the list, Stillwater camp
ground on Granby Lake, beautiful views of the lake & mountains; convenient location to Grand Lake & easy access to the West entrance of RMNP.
The fire last year did not reach the Winding River Campground. Yea! My daughters family have camped there twice this year and it’s still beautiful!
Based on surges in COVID, lack of staffing and the lack of cleaning ability due to COVID the park has decided to close 60 % of campground sites at Moraine Park Campground and Glacier Basin Campground for the remaining of the 2021 season for your safety. The closed sections at Moraine Park Campground include D-loop and sites 68-140 in A-loop. Glacier Basin Campground has closed its group loop as well as loops A and D. At that time, cancellation notices and refunds have been sent out to those affected by the campground closures. Aspenglen Campground is completely closed for the entire 2021 season.
Campgrounds at Rocky Mountain National Park are currently operating at a 40% capacity. Moraine Park Campground has 142 sites open https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232463