Rocky Mountain National Park is a playground for kids of all ages, offering a variety of activities to explore and experience the great outdoors. From scenic hikes to wildlife watching, there’s something for everyone at this majestic park.
We’ll highlight the top activities for kids at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to explore the park and get some exercise. There are trails for all skill levels, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes. Kids will love discovering new plants, animals, and landscapes along the way.
Some popular trails for families include the Bear Lake Trail, the Lily Lake Trail, and the Emerald Lake Trail. Out of all of the national parks, Rocky Mountain National Park has the most diverse array of hikes for all ability levels. For more details on our favorite hikes for kids, click HERE.
From climbing around rocks, to stream crossings, to waterfalls and wildlife, Rocky Mountain hikes are full of opportunities that everyone will love to explore. Find a handful of hikes that will suit your kids’ attention and ability levels, and enjoy!
Wildlife Watching
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to wildlife including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bears. Take your kids on a wildlife watching tour, or simply keep an eye out for animals while on a hike.
Our top locations for spotting wildlife include…
- Sheep Mountain at sunrise and sunset. This is the prime location for the bighorn sheep!
- Meadows surrounding the Beaver Meadows entrance station. Look for elk, especially during the early morning or late afternoon.
- Lily Lake at sunset. This is the only place in the park where we have seen MOOSE! It was so exciting!
- Trail Ridge Road in the summer. We often run into “elk-jams” or spot bighorn sheep on the cliffs overlooking the road.
While wildlife is abundant in Rocky Mountain National Park, you will often observe people that forget to keep a safe distance. Be sure you are aware of the best safety practices when in proximity to this national park wildlife.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun activity for kids and a great way to teach them about conservation and respect for the environment. The park offers many opportunities to fish in its streams, lakes, and rivers, and you can either bring your own equipment or rent gear from local outfitters.
Before fishing, be sure to obtain a valid state of Colorado fishing license, and familiarize yourself with the park’s fishing regulations. Children under 16 do not require a license.
Kirk’s Fly Shop is a great place for more information about fishing in the park. You can also book guides through this outfitter.
We have often seen children taking hiking breaks and casting quick lines into the streams on various trails. It looks like a great way to break up a longer hike and keep everyone trail happy!
Ranger Programs & Junior Ranger Programs
The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including nature walks, campfire talks, and wildlife tracking. These programs provide an interactive and educational experience for kids and offer a unique way to learn about the park’s ecosystem and its inhabitants. For more details on fan-favorite Rocky Mountain programming, click HERE.
The Junior Ranger programs at Rocky Mountain National Park are unparalleled. You will need to stop by a visitor center to pick up the colorful ranger books. There are numerous, engaging activities including scavenger hunts and reviews of the Leave No Trace principles.
Often, one of the activity choices includes attending a ranger program, or, even better, a junior ranger program! The rangers in this park do offer child-focused programming during busy summer months. If you want to foster your little ranger’s love of the parks, don’t miss an opportunity to attend a junior ranger program here!
Rock Climbing
Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier park for rock climbing. No matter you family’s skill levels, a climbing guide is sure to create a memorable adventure for you. Although this excursion can be a little pricey, it is sure to be a fun splurge.
We always enjoy the skilled guides that can be booked HERE at the Estes Park Mountain Shop. If you do choose to book a guide, be sure to book early. Rocky Mountain is a very busy park, so availability is lower than demand.
However you choose to climb, please be aware of the park’s ethic guidelines for climbing HERE.
Horseback Riding
If you’re looking for your cowboy/cowgirl moment, call up the local corrals for a memorable ride through the national park! I have done this since I was small, and, oh boy, do I have stories to tell!
Our family have always taken guided rides hosted by the Meeker Park Lodge and Stables in Allenspark. They will take you into the calmer sections of the park.
Pro tip: be sure to take your rides as early in the day as possible. You do NOT want to be on horseback when that first bolt of lightning strikes to announce the daily afternoon showers!
Scenic Drives
I’m not always a fan of a “scenic drive,” but the drive up Trial Ridge Road ending at the Alpine Visitor Center is one of my favorite drives in the country. Not only do you get to enjoy the vast vistas of the alpine region, but you are sure to encounter entertainment along the way!
If you’re there in June or July, you’re likely to still witness snow at the higher elevations. Kids get a kick out of a quick pull-over for a snowball fight. That never seems to get old! Pro tip: promise them a hot cocoa when you get to the visitor center!
As I mentioned above, you are also likely to encounter elk and bighorn sheep along this road.
Similar to a great hiking trail, the long path up Trail Ridge will reward you with views, snacks, and other excitement at the top. You’d be surprised how excited you will be just to find bathrooms!
(Note that there are both pit toilets AND flush toilets available here. No need to do the “pit toilet struggle” with your toddler daughter! If you know, you know. You’re welcome.)
Enjoy these breathtaking views. Stop at every overlook. Let your kids take in the sights and sounds of the park. This is a drive to remember!
Rocky Mountain Conservancy Classes
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is a nonprofit organization founded in 1931 to support Rocky Mountain National Park. They raise money to support many of the park’s needs, and we definitely advocate for membership in the great organizations that love on our great parks!
One special offering of the Conservancy is their educational programming for kids. While I am not yet seeing child-specific programming for the summer of 2023, the Conservancy is offering several tours that are suitable for children HERE.
The Morraine Park Discovery Center
Although it is not a visitor center in name, this incredible place is not to be missed! It sits quietly and often with few visitors about two miles up Bear Lake Road from the Beaver Meadows entrance station. It is full of carefully curated exhibits designed by the Denver Museum of Natural History. Many of these displays are hands-on, and there is even a learning space designed especially for kids!
Often, on the front porch, you will find a park ranger with a special display to quickly greet and engage the entire family. There is also a large Conservancy shop full of books, shirts, and other items sold to raise funds for the park.
This space is an absolute delight and a must-stop for families with young kids!
Winter Sports
Although Rocky Mountain National Park hosts the majority of its visitors during the summer and fall seasons, planning a winter trip to this park can yeild exciting and less crowded opportunities. Due to its vast trail system, there are snowshoeing opportunities for all ages. Take the Bear Lake Trail for an easy, scenic family snowshoe experience.
Or, for top thrills, enjoy sledding and tubing at Hidden Lake. This is our kids’ favorite winter past time!
Finally, cross country skiing is also a fanstastic sport in Rocky Mountain National Parks’s winter activity bin.
You can rent any necessary equipment from numerous outfitters in the gateway towns. As mentioned before, our go-to outfitters are Kirk’s Fly Shop and the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Child carriers and sleds are also available for rent! No reason not to play in Rocky Mountain!
Read more about our favorite cold-weather national park opportunities!
Picnicking
Picnicking is a fun and relaxed way to spend a day in the park. Pack a lunch, find a scenic spot, and enjoy the great outdoors with your family. Alternatively, you can pack a dinner or dessert, park at Sheep Mountain, and watch the mountainside at dusk for a glimpse of the bighorn sheep.
Read more from our list of 7 top, family-friendly national parks!
Final Thoughts on Kids at Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonderful place for kids to experience the great outdoors. From hiking to fishing to wildlife watching, there are countless activities for families to enjoy.
So, pack your bags, grab your kids, and head to this majestic park for an adventure they’ll never forget!
