Moraine Park Campground and Headquarters East Utility Rehabilitation Project

Example of a campsite at Moraine Park Campground that is in need of repairs due to seasonal flooding from snowmelt and rain.

NPS

Moraine Park Campground will be closed to all users while the campground is being rehabilitated beginning in late May 2023 through early summer 2024.

This major project is being funded by the Great American Outdoors Act and will rehabilitate aging water, wastewater, and electrical distribution systems in Moraine Park Campground. It will improve drainage and move campsites that frequently flood out of wetlands areas. It will also improve accessibility.

Additionally, this project will relocate electric powerlines in the campground underground to reduce system damage caused by snow, wind, falling tree branches, electrical hazards and wildfire. It will add electrical hook-ups to approximately 60 RV campsites.

This project will also improve the visitor experience by rehabilitating the ranger station, replacing the campground entrance kiosk and improving the area near the dump station. Additionally, the project will update approximately 15 campsites to improve accessibility and address flooding and drainage issues by moving campsites out of wetlands areas.

Another camp host site will be added to the campground and electrical service will be extended to approximately 60 RV campsites. No changes are planned for the existing restroom buildings, amphitheater, or campground shuttle bus stop. There may be temporary closures and impacts to the Moraine Park Discovery Center and along the Bear Lake, Moraine Park, and Fern Lake roads.

This project will take place in the following locations:

• Moraine Park Campground
• The northeast section of Moraine Park focused near the Moraine Park Discovery Center, the portion of Bear Lake Road located just west of the Moraine Park Discovery Center, and along Moraine Park and Fern Lake Roads.

Where is Moraine Park Campground?

Moraine Park Campground is accessed via Bear Lake Road and is the largest of the park’s five front country campgrounds. Moraine Park Campground is open year-round and has 244 campsites that can accommodate a variety of camping equipment types, including up to 40-foot RVs, sprinter vans, and tents. Over 30,000 campers stay at MPCG annually.

To learn more about Moraine Park Campground, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/camping.htm

How will this Project be Funded?

The Moraine Park Campground and Utility Rehabilitation Project will be funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). GAOA’s National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund, supported by revenue from energy development, provides up to $1.9 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks and other public lands to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

GAOA, the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other construction funding sources are part of a concerted effort to address the extensive maintenance backlog in national parks. Thanks to GAOA funding, Rocky Mountain National Park will be able to address critical deferred maintenance issues at Moraine Park Campground and nearby areas that are related to water and wastewater systems and electrical utilities which serve thousands of visitors each year.

 

Example of damaged culvert and water pipes in need of replacement in Moraine Park Campground

NPS

Why is this Project Important?

The water and utility infrastructure at MPCG has not been updated since the campground was first built in the 1960s. Increased visitor usage, evolving trends in recreation, the need to improve access for all campers, and deferred maintenance for critical water and utility systems have all created a need to rehabilitate the Moraine Park Campground and nearby areas.

 

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Where Can I Learn More?

To learn more about this project, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/rehabilitateMPCG.