We know planning a trip can be hard, especially when you’re on a budget. But with free entrance days and free outdoor programs, an affordable visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is easy! Discover how you can plan your Colorado vacation without breaking the bank with our guide below.
Free entrance days at Rocky Mountain National Park
Every year, the National Park Service offers several free-entrance days, typically connected to a federal holiday, where you can visit Rocky Mountain National Park for free! While the dates vary every year, they are always held around the same holidays and events listed below. Do note you still need to make an online reservation in advance to enter the park.
2022 Fee-free days
- Saturday, April 16th: First day of National Park Week
- Thursday, August 4th: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 24th: National Public Lands Day
- Friday, November 11th: Veterans Day
Free activities inside the park
Inside Rocky Mountain National Park there is an abundance of free activities. From hiking and snowshoeing to fishing and biking, there is plenty to keep you active while sticking to your budget. While some activities do require rentals like biking and fishing, hiking is easily done with minimal dollars spent. If you plan to snowshoe, be sure to book your stay at Valhalla Resort and take advantage of our snowshoe package. Add snowshoe rentals to your reservation for just $3 a day!
Free ranger-led programs
RMNP offers several ranger-led programs throughout the year and they are all free to park visitors. In the winter, they feature ranger-led snowshoe hikes. In the summer, the evening campfire programs are the most popular. And you don’t have to be camping in the park to take part in one of these programs. The Alpine Visitor Center, atop Trail Ridge Road, tends to offer a variety of short talks around nature, wildlife, and the landscape of the area.
Local discounts
After your day of adventure in RMNP, be sure to explore downtown Estes Park. With a variety of restaurants, shops, breweries, wineries, and more there is plenty to cap off your day outdoors. Luckily, when you stay at Valhalla Resort, guests enjoy discounts on local businesses such as Snowy Peaks Winery, the Estes Park Pie Shop, Kirk’s Flyshop, and more. Making it even easier to stay on budget.
Stay at Valhalla Resort
Complete your affordable visit to Rocky Mountain National Park with a stay at Valhall Resort. Our budget-friendly resort features comfortable cabins ranging from small, one-bedroom homes to large, four-bedroom rentals. Each is equipped with full kitchens, fireplaces, cable TV, private decks with grills, all with cozy mountain decor and the comforts of home.
When booking your cabin, it is always best to book direct with us to get the best rate guaranteed and the best in customer service. And while we offer affordable rates year-round, be sure to always take a look at our lodging specials!
Book now through April 30th, and take advantage of our latest special. Save when you book two nights get the third night FREE!