Timber Creek Campground is the only campground on the west side of the park. Located at 8900 feet (3000 m) along the Colorado River about eight miles north of the Grand Lake entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. A mountain pine beetle infestation caused most of the trees to be removed, so there is no shade at campsites. There is also a limit on vehicle length of no longer then 30ft allowed in Timber Creek Campground.
Timber Creek Camgpround contains single family tent-only sites, walk-to sites, and RV sites (30ft or less) without hookups. There is no group camping at Rimber Creek Campground. If you are looking for a group site, please check Glacier Basin Camground located on the east side of the park located off of the Bear Lake Road. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, and fire ring with grate.
During the summer season, a dump station is located in the campground and is open for use to all campers. Additional dumpsters and recycling areas are scattered throughout the campground for the camper's convenience.
CAMPING IS BY RESERVATION ONLY: All campsites will be reservable, some six months in advance, some two weeks in advance and some 4 days in advance. Sites 5, 10, 20, 27, 55, 60, 74, & 79 are reservable only 2 weeks in advance. Sites 6, 13, 35, 40, 63, 66, 88, & 91 are reservable only 4 days in advance. All other sites are reservable 6 months in advance. There is no first-come, first-served camping at this facility.
Timed Entry Permit Reservations will be in effect in Rocky Mountain National Park from May 27, 2022 to October 10, 2022.
Campsites are reservable, some six months in advance, some two weeks in advance and some 4 days in advance.
Sites 5, 10, 20, 27, 55, 60, 74, & 79 are reservable only 2 weeks in advance.
Sites 6, 13, 35, 40, 63, 66, 88, & 91 are reservable only 4 days in advance.
There is no first-come, first serve camping in this facility
Check in is at 1 p.m.
A park entrance fee of $35/vehicle is required; this fee covers entrance to the park for the date of purchase and the next 6 days.
If using a Golden Age/Senior pass or Golden Access/Access pass for camping fee discount, the pass may be required upon check-in by the pass holder.
Camping space is extremely limited. Please ensure your camping unit or equipment will fit in the site as other options may not be available.
The maximum length stay during peak season is 7 nights in the park per family or group.
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.
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.
The use of skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and other similar devices is prohibited.
There are no water or electrical hookups. Generators may be run only between 7:30-10:00 am and 4:00-8:30 pm.
There are no laundry or shower facilities in the campground.
RV sewage and wastewater tanks must be emptied at the dump station. For tent campers, dishwashing must be done at designated comfort stations.
Respect the area: NO trenching, putting nails in trees, collection of flowers, or building rock structures is allowed in the campground.
This is a high elevation facility; exercise caution when traveling from lower elevations.
Hammocks are allowed: They must be in the site footprint and secured to trees large enough so there is no damage to the tree. Its best to use hammock straps, if the hammock has rope, please place some cloth between the rope and the tree to prevent damage.
Timber Creek Campground has been impacted by both mountain pine beetle infestation, which killed many of the trees, but also by wildfire. This results in almost no shade in the campground, but it provides for an opportunity to see forest regrowth. Wildflowers can fill sounding meadows and a mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine are all around as you explore the park.
Wildlife is plentiful in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are commonly seen. Black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose also inhabit the area, but are less common to see.
The town of Grand Lake lies just 8 mies outside the parks west entrance. Dining, shopping, and other recreational activities can be found there.
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain peak 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 also 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 the highest continuous paved highway in the United States. 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' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are located within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
Please refer to https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for information regarding changes and/or cancellations.
16018 US HWY 34 Grand Lake CO 80447
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-586-1206
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip