Rocky Mountain National Park Glacier Basin Campground

Rocky Mountain National Park

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. Popular activities to enjoy in RMNP include scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.  

Some campsites at Glacier Basin Campground are available to be reserved up to 6 months in advance on a rolling window. Any sites that are open are listed as "A" for available. A number of campsites are available to be reserved 2 weeks prior to your desired camping date. These campsites are currently listed as "NR" for Not Yet Released. 

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.

Need to Know

• Timed Entry Permits - For visitors who are camping at Glacier Basin Campground, your Timed Entry Permit is included with your camping reservation. This campground reservation includes access to all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, including the Bear Lake Road corridor.

  - Campers will be able to enter the park beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation, which is also the check in time for all park campgrounds. Campers who plan to enter the park earlier in the day will have to enter the park outside of the times when Timed Entry Permits are in effect (for example, before 9 a.m. for most areas of the park) or book a Timed Entry Permit Reservation. 

  - Learn more about Timed Entry Reservations at Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Site Limits. Each site is limited to eight (8) persons and one camping unit (i.e., a tent, RV, or trailer/tow vehicle) plus one additional tent per standard nonelectric site.  

  All tents shall be located on the tent pad. All additional camp structures must be self standing without impacts to vegetation or trees.  

  Parking is limited to two (2) vehicles per site. A vehicle is defined as one vehicle, one trailer, one RV, or one towed unit.  

  Each vehicle must be parked on the gravel or paved parking pad causing no resource degradation or encroachment onto the paved access road. Some sites will accommodate only one vehicle on the graveled parking pad. Extra vehicles must park in overflow areas.

   

  Group loop sites 1 through 13 at Glacier Basin Campground are tent only. Vehicles larger than 36-ft are not permitted in the Group Loop.

• Firewood. Firewood is available for purchase during the summer months.

• No Hookups. There are no RV hookups at Glacier Basin Campground.

• No Shower or Laundry. There are no shower or laundry facilities in the campground; Portable showers are prohibited.

• Dump Station. RV sewage and wastewater tanks must be emptied at the dump station.

• Food Storage and Wildlife. Bears, deer, elk, raccoons and skunks frequent the area. All food, pet food, cooking utensils and other scented items must be stored in a vehicle or in food storage lockers located in the campground.

• Prohibited Wheeled Devices. The use of skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and other similar devices is prohibited.

• Entrance Fee. Campers must pay a separate park entrance fee of $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, or present your annual or lifetime pass such as the Senior and Access. You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival or pay in advance .

• Pass Discounts on Camping. If you use a Senior or Access Pass for a camping fee discount while booking a reservation, you must present the pass and photo ID upon check-in.

• High Altitude. This is a high elevation facility (over 8,900 feet/2500 m). Please exercise caution when traveling from lower elevations and learn about symptoms of altitude sickness.

• The maximum length of stay during peak season is 7 nights. Please check the rules and regulations here before make your reservation.

• Camping space is extremely limited. Please ensure your camping unit or equipment will fit in the site as other options may not be available.
• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

• Be Advised: Trailer length is the total maxium vehicle length allowable.

  (Trailer Length = Trailer + Hitch + Vehicle)

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Recreation

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 feet (3715 m) 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, 11,796 feet (3595 m) above sea level.


Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.

Contact Information

Default

1000 Highway 36 Estes Park CO 80517

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 970-586-1206

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

• Site B035, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B057, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C076, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C071, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B033, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D133, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G002-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D139, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C063, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A024, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C089, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A001, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D137, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C106, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D146, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C107, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A026, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C083, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B043, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C109, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C115, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B050, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G006-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D147, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B045, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A018, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B060, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B036, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A015, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C079, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A022, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C082, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B051, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C087, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D142, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A028, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B034, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C119, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A011, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C088, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B052, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D130, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B047, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C085, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B049, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B048, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G009-L, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site A017, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C074, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B039, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C105, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B038, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C078, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D131, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B056, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C068, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C120, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B041, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D141, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D144, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C100, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C069, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C095, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G008-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site A008, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C112, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C096, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G011-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D129, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C086, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B055, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A025, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C084, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C094, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C072, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A016, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D121, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C111, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D136, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C118, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C066, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A014, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C075, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D143, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A029, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A030, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D122, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A002, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G004-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site G012-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site C117, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B046, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B044, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G003-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site C099, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C101, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A023, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C081, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B058, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D135, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B053, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C073, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B037, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D138, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A027, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C077, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A021, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C103, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B054, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C065, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C067, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C102, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C104, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C097, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D150, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A009, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C070, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G005-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D149, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C093, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C098, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G001-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D126, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site G007-L, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site A004, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C090, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A031, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A006, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C092, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C110, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C116, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C113, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A003, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B059, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B042, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C091, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site C114, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site D124, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B040, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A032, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A013, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G013-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site D148, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D145, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A019, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D132, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site G010-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

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