Moraine Park Campground

For Colorado locals yearning for an immersive and authentic Rocky Mountain experience, Moraine Park Campground in Estes Park is truly a gem. Nestled within the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park, this campground offers more than just a place to pitch your tent or park your RV; it provides a direct connection to the park's iconic scenery, abundant wildlife, and world-class hiking trails. If your ideal Colorado adventure involves waking up to panoramic mountain views, witnessing elk grazing near your campsite, and having easy access to some of the most breathtaking landscapes our state has to offer, then Moraine Park Campground should be at the very top of your list.

Moraine Park Campground is a beloved destination for a reason. It's known for its well-maintained facilities, including the highly appreciated flush toilets in some loops, and its strict enforcement of quiet hours and bear safety, ensuring a peaceful and responsible camping environment. While individual sites can vary, offering a mix of sun exposure, tree cover, and proximity to amenities, the overall experience is one of deep immersion in nature. It's a place where hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, and families seeking a genuine national park experience will feel right at home, making it an indispensable part of any Colorado outdoor itinerary.

Moraine Park Campground is strategically located at US-36, Estes Park, CO 80517, USA, on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Situated near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36, at an elevation of approximately 8,160 feet (2,487 meters) above sea level, it offers stunning views of Moraine Park meadow and the surrounding peaks.

For Colorado locals, accessing Moraine Park Campground is straightforward from Estes Park. From Highway 36, you'll turn onto Bear Lake Road, which is near the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, and follow the signs to the campground. The road to the campground itself, Moraine Park Road, is well-maintained. While the campground is within RMNP, offering unparalleled access to the park's attractions, it's essential to be aware of the park's timed entry permit system, which is often required during peak seasons (typically late May through mid-October, from 5 AM to 6 PM) for general park entry and access to areas like the Bear Lake Road corridor. Campers with reservations at Moraine Park Campground may have slightly different entry requirements, but it's crucial to check the most current RMNP regulations before arrival. The park also operates a free shuttle bus service during summer, which is highly recommended for accessing popular trailheads like Bear Lake, reducing parking stress. This accessibility, combined with the park's stunning drives like Trail Ridge Road, makes Moraine Park Campground an ideal launchpad for exploring the vast beauty of RMNP.

Moraine Park Campground provides a range of services that cater to various camping styles, ensuring a comfortable experience within a wilderness setting. These include:

• Campsites: The campground is large, with 244 campsites. It accommodates a wide mix of options including single family tent-only sites, walk-to tent sites, and RV sites. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length (though no hookups are provided).
• Site Amenities: Each campsite generally includes a tent pad, a picnic table, a fire ring with a grate, and a crucial bear-resistant food storage locker.
• Restrooms: A significant highlight are the well-maintained restrooms. Some loops offer flush toilets and sinks with running water, while others have vault toilets (which can vary in smell, as noted by some reviewers).
• Dishwashing Stations: Sinks with running water for washing dishes and pans are available at some restroom buildings.
• Potable Water: Potable drinking water is available throughout the campground.
• Bear Lockers: Rangers are very strict about enforcing food storage in provided bear lockers, ensuring camper safety and wildlife protection.
• Firewood Sales: Firewood is typically available for purchase from vendors at the campground entrance (though one review noted cranky sellers, it's a convenient amenity).
• Amphitheater: An amphitheater is available, often used for ranger-led programs and evening talks.
• Dump Station: A sanitary dump station is available for RVs.
• Solar Shower Stalls: While not full showers, there are typically solar shower stalls where campers can hang their own solar shower bags.
• Reservations: During the main season (generally late May through early October), all sites are by reservation only, usually bookable up to six months in advance via Recreation.gov. During the off-season, it may be first-come, first-served.

Moraine Park Campground is celebrated for its exceptional features that elevate the camping experience within Rocky Mountain National Park. Its highlights make it a top choice for Colorado adventurers:

• Amazing Views: Consistent praise for "amazing views" of Moraine Park meadow and the surrounding mountains, including Longs Peak from some sites, offering breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
• Abundant Wildlife: A major draw is the frequent presence of wildlife, particularly elk and deer, often seen grazing directly within or near the campground. Elk bugling during the fall rut is a memorable (and sometimes loud) experience.
• Clean and Well-Kept Facilities: The campground is frequently described as "one of the cleanest and well kept," with "really nice" bathrooms, including flush toilets and sinks in many loops.
• Variety of Campsites: Offers a wide mix of spots, from walk-in tent sites to RV-friendly spots, some with more privacy, shade, or exposure to views, accommodating diverse camping preferences.
• Bear-Aware Environment: Strict enforcement of food storage in bear lockers by vigilant rangers ensures safety for both campers and wildlife.
• Proximity to Trailheads: Excellent access to numerous hiking trails within Rocky Mountain National Park, including the popular Bear Lake Road corridor (accessible by park shuttle).
• Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite its size, the campground is noted for its quiet hours being "enforced by rangers," ensuring a peaceful environment where campers are primarily there to hike and enjoy nature. This is "not a party campground."
• Spacious Sites: Many campsites are described as "large" and offering "plenty of space" between them, contributing to a feeling of privacy.
• Accessibility: Relatively easy access from Estes Park via well-maintained park roads.
• Shuttle Bus Access: During summer, the free park shuttle stops within the campground, providing convenient transport to popular park destinations and reducing the need to drive and find parking.

Moraine Park Campground is managed by the National Park Service within Rocky Mountain National Park. For reservations and general park information, use the following contact details:

Address: US-36, Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

Phone: (970) 586-1206 (This is the general information line for Rocky Mountain National Park. For reservations, it's often directed to a specific reservation system.)

Mobile Phone: +1 970-586-1206

For making reservations, especially during the busy summer season when sites are reservable up to six months in advance, it is highly recommended to use the official National Park Service reservation system, Recreation.gov.

Recreation.gov Website: www.recreation.gov

Recreation.gov Phone: 1-877-444-6777

Always check the Rocky Mountain National Park official website for the most up-to-date information on seasonal closures, timed entry requirements, fire restrictions, and operating schedules before planning your visit.

For Colorado locals, Moraine Park Campground represents the quintessential Rocky Mountain National Park camping experience, offering an unparalleled blend of convenience, breathtaking beauty, and direct access to world-class outdoor adventures. Its location within RMNP means you're already in the heart of the action, ready to explore iconic trails, witness majestic wildlife like elk right from your campsite, and soak in the expansive mountain views that define our state.

The emphasis on well-maintained facilities, including flush toilets and reliable bear safety measures, makes for a comfortable and responsible camping trip, even for those new to national park camping. The variety of campsites ensures there's a spot for every type of camper, from tent enthusiasts seeking seclusion to RVers looking for a convenient base. While reservations are essential during peak season due to its popularity, this planning ensures a guaranteed spot in one of Colorado's most coveted natural areas.

Moraine Park Campground is more than just a place to sleep; it's a launchpad for making lifelong memories, whether it's hiking a challenging trail, spotting a bull elk bugling in the meadow, or simply enjoying the enforced quiet hours under a blanket of stars. For Coloradans looking for a truly authentic, awe-inspiring, and well-managed camping experience in our state's crown jewel, Moraine Park Campground is an absolute top recommendation.

Moraine Park Campground

US-36, Estes Park, CO 80517, USA