Changing Modes of Transportation in Rocky Mountain National Park

About a third of the visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park do a drive through or "windshield" tour of the park as opposed to stopping and hiking. It is interesting to note that while today's visitors often view the park through their windshields, this is far from a new phenomenon. We thought you might like to view several photos of vintage transportation from the park's historic photo collection. We believe most of the photos are from the 1920s or 1930s.

We are not clear as to the real purpose of the vehicle we labeled a vintage "RV". Some opinions are that it is some sort of delivery truck, while others believe it to be a real home-made camper. Some thought the side door looked like an "after market" addition.

The camping related photos are self-explanatory. The first photo on the camping page shows that camping paraphernalia was liberally applied to the outside of the vehicle when interior space was exhausted. The second photo on the camping page shows car camping in the 1920s with all the equipment deployed.

One of the challenges provided to these early day visitors were the snow caravans on Fall River Road during the 1920s and 1930s. A breakdown then, as today, required towing, but the methods have changed as may be seen in the second photo on the snow caravan page.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse of the past in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Last updated: March 31, 2012

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1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

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970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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