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Glacier Basin Campground (8,500 feet) is adjacent to Estes Park in the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
From lush valleys to craggy peaks with elevations reaching over 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.
Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain).
The park offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183' above sea level and is America's highest continuous highway. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks, quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11796' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
Glacier Basin Campground contains several group and family tent-only sites, as well as RV sites without hookups. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate and tent pad of various sizes. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided.
Rocky Mountain National Park's free shuttle bus stops in the campground, which is also across the street from Park & Ride, the park's main shuttle system hub. The shuttle system provides access to many park trailheads throughout the Bear Lake corridor and to the town of Estes Park.
Due to a pine beetle epidemic, all the trees in the C Loop, D Loop and the Group Loop have been removed, leaving little to no shade in these areas. However, the tree removal has opened up beautiful views of the mountains.
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce, forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.
Wildlife is plentiful in the park, and while mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen, black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well.
The town of Estes Park lies just outside the park's main east entrances, and is a short drive from Glacier Basin Campground. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding, and fishing.
Take Highway 36 west from Estes Park, CO or Highway 34 east from Grand Lake, CO. Off the main park road, take the Bear Lake Road, which is near the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, and follow the signs to the campground. Glacier Basin Campground in approximately 9 miles from Estes Park and 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station.
$30.00 Summer Season Rate per night for standard nonelectric sites.
A place where both tent campers and smaller trailer campers feel welcome. Nicely sized camping spots in RMNP. No hookups at the sites, but water is always nearby. Bear boxes are shared between a few sites. The restroom facilities are nicely centralized on each loop and are lighted with flush toilets. Ice and firewood are sold in the evening. No cell service. The campground is just across the street from the bus stop for the Bear Lake corridor.
We were excited to snag a spot to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. There was only one spot left when the last group of sites were released for reservation. So, do your research on how and when you can reserve spots. We were very happy that our timed entry was included with our campsite fee and feel that the fee was well worth a beautiful spot in the Glacier Basin campground. Our spot was close to clean restrooms with running water. Bear boxes were provided but we had to check a couple for room for our cooler. (We would recommend a few more boxes in the C loop tent camps). The rangers were very friendly and overall a great campground. NOTHING could beat the VIEW you wake up to and the Elk spotting!
paid 30 bucks to find out 2 roads are closed
we wanted to see the camp sites ( for next season) before reserving but was told we cant see it 1st.
we were told to "enjoy the rest of the park" and come back at 6pm when the sign says no permits nessessary after 2pm. if we were told that at the gate i would have kept my money. no longer interested in what rmnp has to offer which is nothing without a reservation (information harvesting operation)
imagine a national park being a scam
good job
Overall, was a very nice large National Park campground with great views, that was completely booked, busy, but remained quiet, bathrooms/utility sinks were kept extremely clean, and was well maintained. I found our site, C099, which was in the tent only, non generator loop, to be perfectly located, was a bit tight, but had gorgeous mountain views and was directly across from the restrooms and wash sinks which was very convenient. There was also a portable solar shower stall nearby which was a nice option if you had brought one along, and didn’t want to venture into nearby Estes Park for a public shower if needed. The campground provided a free shuttle bus for stops to trailheads along the Bear Lake corridor, which was a game changer due to not having to worry about parking, and to Estes if you wanted to venture into town and didn’t want to fight traffic! Staff, Rangers, and Park attendants were all amazing and helpful, and most importantly, the area was a great hub for abundant outdoor recreational opportunities!!
