Page last updated: 13 September 2024
How many people visit Rocky Mountain National Park each year?
Over 4.12 million tourists visited Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023.
- Rocky Mountain National Park welcomed 4.67 million visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, and due to a temporary closure as a result of a forest fire, this number dropped by 29% to 3.31 million.
- By 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park visitors began to recover, reaching 4.43 million.
- However, tourist numbers decreased in 2022 to 4.3 million visits, and in 2023, the figure decreased further to 4.12 million.
How much do visitors spend at Rocky Mountain National Park every year?
In 2023, visitor spending at Rocky Mountain National Park amounted to $568.57 million.
- In 2019, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park generated $313.58 million in expenditure. However, in 2020, visitor spending dropped by 28% to $224.39 million.
- Rocky Mountain National Park recovered in 2021, with $323.33 million spent by tourists.
- Tourist spending reached $583.79 million in 2022, marking the highest visitor spending in history. However, this decreased slightly to $568.53 million in 2023.
How many people visited Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023?
- In 2023, Rocky Mountain National Park welcomed a total of 4.12 million visitors, with 133,404 overnight campers and 3.98 million same-day tourists. This marked an 11% decrease from the 4.67 million visitors recorded in 2019.
How much did tourists spend in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023?
- Visitors in Rocky Mountain National Park spent almost $568.53 million in 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic spending levels by 81%.
Impact of Coronavirus
Rocky Mountain National Park Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- Rocky Mountain National Park visitor numbers fell to 3.31 million in 2020 mainly due to the coronavirus and a two-month closure because wildfires that occurred in October 2020. This marked a decrease of 30% from the 2019 figure of 4.67 million.
- Tourist spending followed a similar trend. After maintaining around $300 million in 2018 and 2019, expenditure dropped to $224.39 million in 2020, showcasing a drop of over 28%. However, in 2021, visitor spending ($323.33 million) exceeded the 2019 figure.
Challenges faced by Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park, spanning 415 square miles, is one of the most visited parks in the U.S., attracting over 4 million visitors annually. However, this has caused challenges for the environment and local residents.
- Air pollution from nearby oil and gas drilling, caused by Weld County, threatens the park’s ecosystem and has caused it to fall out of compliance with Clean Air Act standards.
- Over 60,000 acres of land west of the park, important for elk wintering grounds, have been leased to the oil and gas industry, further impacting the environment.
- The popularity of the park has made housing unaffordable for many residents. Locals are concerned about rising living costs, ecological damage from tourists, development pressures, increased pollution, and overcrowding.
How Rocky Mountain National Park solved these challenges?
- Rocky Mountain National Park introduced a timed entry reservation system in 2020 to manage increased visitation and will continue using it during the 2024 season, helping control crowds and preserve the park’s environment.
- While the system limits the number of tourists, visitor spending in the park has still surpassed 2019 levels by 81%.
How popular is Rocky Mountain National Park?
- Rocky Mountain National Park ranked 11th among the “Best U.S. National Parks in 2024.” It is known for its 350 miles of trails through forests, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, with chances to spot elk and bighorn sheep.
- Rocky Mountain National park ranked 5th as the most visited national park in the U.S.A in 2023.
Read more about the U.S. National Park Ranking.
When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park?
- Fall is the ideal time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, with cooler air, autumn colours, and the memorable sound of bull elk bugling in the meadows.
- The months of June to September, when the snow has mostly melted, and all hiking trails, attractions, and activities are fully accessible, are popular with tourists.
What were Rocky Mountain National Park’s peak tourist months in 2023?
- July had the highest number of visitors, with 734,323 tourists due to the peak summer season, offering perfect weather conditions for hiking and camping.
- August welcomed 656,651 visitors, making it another highly active month due to weather remained ideal to enjoy the park’s attractions.
- In September, 595,167 visitors came to the park, attracted by the early fall season. Popular for wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
- June attracted 576,304 visitors, marking the start of the summer season. It was prime time for visitors to experience the park’s full range.
- October had 393,340 visitors, drawn mainly by the park’s stunning fall foliage and cooler temperatures.
What are the most popular types of camping at Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023?
- Tent Campers: The largest group with 70,761 visits, accounted for 53% of all campers, indicating a preference for traditional, accessible camping experiences.
- Backcountry Campers represented 25.7% of all campers with 34,314 visits.
- RV Campers made up 21.2% of all campers with 28,329 visits, highlighting a preference for comfort and convenience while enjoying the outdoors.
Rocky Mountain National Park Facts
- Size: Rocky Mountain National Park spans 265,769 acres (358 square miles), making it one of the largest U.S. national parks.
- Campgrounds: The park has 5 campgrounds with 585 campsites.
- Wildlife: Since 1978, the moose population has grown from 24 to around 700, mainly on the western side near Grand Lake. The park is home to moose, elk, bears, and 282 bird species, among many other animals.
Trails and Water Features
- Trail Ridge Road opened in 1932 and climbs to 12,183 feet, offering excellent stargazing opportunities.
- The park contains 600 buildings, including 150 historic structures.
- The park maintains 355 miles of hiking trails.
- Water Features: The park has 450 miles of streams and 156 lakes, with 48 lakes containing trout populations.
- Longs Peak is the tallest mountain in the park, with an elevation of 14,259 feet.
What are the most common causes of death in Rocky Mountain National Park?
There were 77 recorded deaths in Rocky Mountain National Park from 2007 to 2023. Here are the main causes of death in the park:
- Falls (28 deaths)
- Suicide (13 deaths)
- Medical Emergencies During Physical Activity (9 deaths)
- Environmental (8 deaths)
- Medical Emergencies – Not During Physical Activity (7 deaths)
Rocky Mountain National Park Safety Tips
Visitors are key in protecting Rocky Mountain’s wildlife, natural resources, and historical sites. To ensure safety and preserve the park’s environment, follow these guidelines:
- Pre-trip Planning: Develop a comprehensive plan, which includes packing the Ten Essentials such as navigation tools, first aid supplies, and additional clothing layers.
- Assessing Physical Capabilities: Visitors should have a clear understanding of their physical limits.
- Responsible Recreation: Mitigate negative impacts on the natural resources and supports conservation efforts.
- Safety in Burn Areas: Be cautious when navigating burn areas due to hazards such as unstable trees, loose debris, and the possibility of flash flooding.
- Weather Preparedness: Monitor weather forecasts, dress in appropriate layers, and be equipped for cold temperatures and wind chill.
- Wildlife Safety: Maintaining a safe distance from wildlife is required and feeding wildlife is prohibited, as it disrupts natural behaviours and can lead to dangerous interactions.
- Water Safety: Visitors should exercise caution when near fast-moving water.
- Avalanche Awareness: During winter, the risk of avalanches is heightened, visitors should consult with park rangers regarding current conditions.
National Park (NP) Tourism Statistics
References
- NPS: Facts and Figures – Visitation, Ranking and Mortality Data