Rock Climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park

If you want to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park, a $30 permit is required from May 1st through October 31st. For non-camping visitors, the park offers a Day Pass that costs $25. A seven-day vehicle pass is $35, and a seven-day motorcycle pass is $30. An annual pass for the park is $70.

This really depends on when the snow melts. Some climbs are accessible in mid to late spring. The climbing can be good until the fall — or when the snow falls. Either way, you gotta look out for the snow.

Inclement weather can always get in the way of climbing, especially at Rocky Mountain National Park. Afternoon thunderstorms are real and frequent. Even snow can fall in June. Your guide will know the best spots to move to if and when it rains or snows. If in doubt, though, always ask your guiding service for more information on their policies when weather disrupts climbing. And bring an extra layer.

You’ll meet up with your guide, go over gear and beta, and then plan on what routes you want to ascend, or what techniques you want to focus on most, depending on your skill level and course. For climbing in RMNP, count on a very, very early start to beat the afternoon storms.

Group sizes are usually between 1-4 people with one instructor. Also, remember that the costs decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

Estes Park sits just to the east of the park’s entrance and is often the meeting location of choice for any RMNP endeavors. Denver is 1.5 hours by car; Boulder, CO, is just under an hour’s drive.