Each of these Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers have park rangers on hand to answer your questions. Most of them also feature museum-style exhibits and ranger programs, and a small gift shop.
Admission is free, although some of these are located inside Rocky Mountain National Park’s entrance gates, so you must pay the park admission fee to see them. Hours vary depending on the season; check with the park for details.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center – The main Rocky Mountain National Park visitor center features a large, interactive relief map and a free, short movie about the park. Open all year.
This unique building was designed by Taliesin West, the architectural firm founded by Frank Lloyd Wright. (For a very detailed history of this building, with historic photos, see the National Park Service’s Mission 66 Book.)
Moraine Park Discovery Center – This rustic building, built in 1923, was once a tea room for what was once the Moraine Park Lodge. This visitor center features interactive geology exhibits and information about plants and animals. The sun room upstairs has a fantastic view and comfortable rocking chairs. Open daily in summer and fall.
Fall River Visitor Center – This visitor center serves the Fall River Road area (one of two entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park). The upstairs area showcases various animals and their sounds, the downstairs has a history exhibit where kids can play dress up. Open daily in summer.
Next door is a large gift shop, restaurant, and horseback riding. The gift shop and restaurant are open all year.
Sheep Lakes Information Station – This small kiosk at Sheep Lakes houses rangers who act as shepherds of sorts–stopping traffic when bighorn sheep cross the road to get to the natural mineral licks in the meadow. By far the most likely place to spot a bighorn sheep in the park. No restrooms or other facilities in this location.
Alpine Visitor Center – This visitor center sits above treeline in a spectacular setting. (Check out the view from the webcam.) The displays cover animals and plants that live on the alpine tundra (the area above treeline) in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Next door is the Trail Ridge Store, a large gift shop with a cafeteria. Open daily in summer only. Check out our tips for dealing with high altitude if you’re planning a visit.
Kawuneeche Visitor Center (Grand Lake side) – This visitor center, located on the Grand Lake side of the park, has a few small exhibits about Rocky Mountain National Park and shows the free park movie. Open all year.
Holzwarth Ranch Historic Site – This is a 1920s-era dude ranch with a number of historic buildings and furnishings. You can reach the site via a short trail at any time. In summers, the buildings are sometimes open and staffed with volunteers in period costumes.
All of the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Centers are well worth a visit.
Contact Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Centers
(970) 586-1206