• Hikers on Granite Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park/NPS photo by John Marino

    Rocky Mountain

    National Park Colorado

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  • Bear Lake Road Reconstruction Project

    Major construction work on Bear Lake Road in 2012 & 2013 includes changes to park shuttle routes, significant delays, and some night closures. More »

  • Park Fires

    Get the latest information on how current park fires might affect your visit. More »

Featured Plants and Animals


This section provides information on some of the park's most popular plants and animals.

Aspen
Elk
Bighorn Sheep
Moose

Keep in mind that plant and animal watching vary with the season. Here are a few highlights:

November - May

Elk commonly seen at lower elevations on the East Side.

March

Mountain Bluebirds return.

May - June

Bird migration.

Elk calves and bighorn lambs born.

Wildflowers in bloom at lower elevations.

Tundra flowers begin blooming.

July

Wildflower season peaks.

August

Colorado columbines and other late season flowers still in bloom.

The Elk rut begins.

Bird migration.

September-October

Elk rut peaks.

Bird migration continues.

Aspens turn color.

Did You Know?

a photo of the mountains at treeline

Temperature causes tree line. Trees need an average growing temperature of about 50 degrees fahrenheit.