Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground
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.
Notifications and Alerts
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.
Need to Know
Timed Entry Permit Reservations will be in effect in Rocky Mountain National Park from May 27, 2022 to October 10, 2022.
- Visitors with campground reservations will use those permits as their Timed Entry Permit Reservations. You may enter the park on the first day of your camping reservation. Entrance fees apply and can be paid at the entrance station.
- Visitors must have these camping permits in advance. There will be no same day sales at the park’s campgrounds. Visitors must have their camping reservation confirmation visible.
- Park visitors who have reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground will have Timed Entry Permit access to the rest of park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor.
- To learn more about Rocky's Timed Entry Permit Reservation system, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm
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.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Grand Lake lies just 8 mies outside the parks west entrance. Dining, shopping, and other recreational activities can be found there.
Recreation
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.
Changes & Cancellations
Please refer to https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for information regarding changes and/or cancellations.
Contact Information
Mailing
16018 US HWY 34 Grand Lake CO 80447
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-586-1206
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
- From Grand Lake, Colorado: head north on US HWY 34/TrailRidge Road. AFter 8 miles, follow signs to Timber Creek Camgpround. The campground will be on the left.
Available Campsites
- Site Site 88, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 6, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 74, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 85, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 82, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 23, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 79, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 52, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 99, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 96, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 76, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 5, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 95, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 11, Loop Loop A, Type Walk To
- Site Site 32, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 87, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 28, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 35, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 92, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 90, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 36, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 31, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 91, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 59, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 41, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 20, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 14, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 57, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 18, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 60, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 40, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 94, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 84, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 10, Loop Loop A, Type Walk To
- Site Site 97, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 13, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 22, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 93, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 4, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 24, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site Site 61, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 44, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 55, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 9, Loop Loop A, Type Walk To
- Site Site 64, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 39, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 66, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 43, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 15, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 30, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 72, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
- Site Site 17, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 34, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 8, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 16, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 75, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 68, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 80, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 78, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 37, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 71, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
- Site Site 86, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 38, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 25, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 73, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
- Site Site 45, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 77, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 21, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 3, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 63, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 70, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
- Site Site 62, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 53, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 29, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 81, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 12, Loop Loop A, Type Walk To
- Site Site 56, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 27, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 67, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 51, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 98, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 65, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 50, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 1, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 33, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Site 58, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 26, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Site 89, Loop Loop D, Type Walk To
- Site Site 7, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
