Colorado Family Camping

Find Your Wild.

Overview

Rocky Mountain
National Park

4 days
August 10th-14th

Tent Camping

Family-Friendly
All-Ages Welcome

Colorado Adventure

Join us for a 4-day camping adventure in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll be camping at Glacier Basin Campground within the Bear Lake Corridor which means no timed tickets for entrance! Adults and kids alike will enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Colorado Rockies as we explore various hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and scenic overlooks. We will practice Leave No Trace to help keep trails beautiful and we will inspire the next generation to fall in love with our National Parks. Together we will protect what we love while making lasting memories.

Camping & Bear Lake Rd Access

We’ll spend four nights camping at Glacier Basin Campground on a scenic group site with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Nestled in a beautiful pine forest, this well-equipped campground offers modern amenities including flush toilets, drinking water, food storage lockers, and spacious tent pads. One of its greatest assets is the convenient access to the free park shuttle system, which connects us directly to Rocky Mountain National Park’s most iconic trailheads.

Even more special is the campground’s proximity to Bear Lake Road—a restricted access corridor that leads to some of the park’s most beloved hikes like Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls, and Dream Lake. Bear Lake Road reservations often sell out within minutes and individual campsites at Glacier Basin typically book up months in advance. Fortunately, we’ve secured a private group site just for our adventure, meaning your spot is guaranteed—no need to stress over reservations or compete with the crowds. All you need to do is show up, pitch your tent, and get ready for four unforgettable days immersed in nature.

National Park Itinerary

Our itinerary is carefully designed to showcase the very best of Rocky Mountain National Park while offering meaningful, hands-on experiences for all ages. Each day balances awe-inspiring wildlife viewing opportunities—like moose spotting at sunrise—with visits to iconic park destinations such as Emerald Lake, Bear Lake, and Trail Ridge Road. Kids and adults alike will enjoy engaging nature activities, family-friendly hikes, and informal environmental education woven throughout the trip. Whether exploring alpine lakes, gazing at stars by the campfire, or learning about ecosystems from a scenic overlook, this adventure combines fun, discovery, and connection in the heart of Colorado’s wild beauty.

Meals

All families are responsible for providing their own meals during the trip. We encourage simple, hearty options that work well for both kids and adults, keeping everyone fueled for adventure. Mornings could start with classics like pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, and fresh fruit, while lunches should be easy to pack and enjoy on the go—think sandwiches, fresh veggies, fruit, and granola bars. For dinner, families might enjoy cooking campfire favorites like tacos, grilled meals, or other comforting dishes to share under the stars. And of course, no family camping trip is complete without s’mores—be sure to bring supplies for this sweet tradition! Sharing a casual, simple charcuterie of meats, cheeses, crackers, and snacks around the campfire can also be a fun way to connect in the evenings. Meals can be as simple or as creative as you like and are a wonderful part of the camping experience.

Families are responsible for:

Flights to Denver International Airport
Transportation within the park
National Park Entrance
Meals (families can collaborate if they choose to simplify)

ADVENTURE ITINERARY

Download

DAY 1

Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park! Check-in begins at 1 pm for our Glacier Basin Group campsite. We will meet between 1 pm-3 pm to get our tents set-up and head out to explore the park. We will gather for dinner around 6:30 pm and end the evening with campfire (weather and risk permitting).

Day 2

Emerald Lake Trail Our morning will start off with breakfast and packing lunches. We'll walk over to the park and ride which is conveniently located next to our campground and hop on a shuttle and get off at the Bear Lake stop. We will have the opportunity to view Bear Lake before setting off on our 3.2 mile hike with 702 feet of elevation gain. Our hike is family-friendly and takes us through pine forests to a spectacular view point, alpine lakes including Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and ending with the stunning Emerald Lake. We'll enjoy lunch at the lake before hiking back down. Once back down at the Bear Lake Trailhead you have the option of getting on the shuttle to head back to camp for awhile or making your own adventure with one of the connecting hikes that lead back to our campground. We will meet for dinner at 6:30 pm and sit around the campfire sharing our stories of the day.

DAY 3

Sunrise Moosin' and Trail Ridge Road Early risers will have the option of heading to Sprague Lake (a 12 minute drive) to catch the 6 am sunrise and have a very good chance of seeing moose. We will stroll the 0.8 mile paved flat loop around the lake to take in the sights and quietly keep our eyes peeled for moose. Afterwards, we can make coffee and hot chocolate at a picnic table before heading back to camp. We'll make breakfast, pack lunches and set off for Trail Ridge Road. This 48-mile road is one of the most beautiful drives in America. You will be treated to unbelievable views as we leave the forests, and head above the tree line into the alpine tundra. We'll park at the Alpine Visitor Center where there are snacks, gifts, and educational material. There is an optional .6 mile paved & staircase walk to the highest point at 12, 005 ft. We will make our way slowly down Trail Ridge Road for some free-time before our 6:30 pm dinner and campfire.

DAY 4

Choose Your Own Adventure + Farewell Campfire Our day will start with breakfast and packing our lunches. You will have the option of a variety adventures this day depending on your interest and buck-list. There are many options including various hikes, wildlife viewing at places like Moraine Park, or spending part of the day in Estes Park to get a huckleberry ice cream cone. We will meet at 6:30 pm for our last dinner and campfire together as a group.

DAY 5

Fond Farewells + Optional Backpacking We’ll start the morning with breakfast and pack lunches before breaking down camp and saying our goodbyes. Check-out is by 12 PM, but guests are welcome to continue exploring the park afterward. Just keep in mind that re-entry to the Bear Lake Corridor requires a timed entry pass if you leave the area. For those joining the optional backpacking extension, we’ll spend the morning preparing gear before setting off to the trailhead. From there, we’ll hike into the backcountry and settle in at our wilderness campsite for a night under the stars.

Optional Backpacking

Venture into the wilderness

Where

Who

Gear

Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. 8 mile hike with 2,552 ft of elevation gain. We will be hiking in approximately 1.2 miles to Goblin's Forest Campsite tucked amongst a lodgepole pine and spruce forest to set up camp in the afternoon. We will head out early the next morning to hike to Chasm Lake & return to our campsite to gather our gear to return to the trailhead.

Open to experienced and first-time backpackers. Guests must be able to carry their own gear 1.2 miles to our campsite, and have the physical ability to hike a more strenuous hike with elevation gain. Recommended for 8+ but some younger kids may be able to backpack this trail.

Guests are expected to have their own gear including but not limited to backpacking tent, sleeping bag, mat or pad, backpack, first-aid kit, headlamp, water purification, spork and cup, pocket knife, optional trekking poles. Some gear is available on a first-come basis through our lending library and we will provide bear cans for food storage for the group. Meals are included.

Wildlife

The National Park Service has documented 60 mammal species, 280 bird species, along with numerous amphibian, reptile and insect species. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places in the United States to admire wildlife!

Predators

A variety of predators call the Rockies home including a small number of black bear, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions and wolves have been reintroduced into the state of Colorado. The chance of us seeing them is low as they typically avoid humans. By keeping our campsite clean and hiking in groups, we will make sure our group and the species of this park stay safe.

Ungulates

There are a variety of ungulates or "hooved" here. Your best chance of seeing Big Horn Sheep are not inside the park, but as you drive into Estes Park through Big Thompson Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled as they climb the rocky canyon and sometimes wander into the road. Elk, moose and mule deer are often seen throughout the park or even wandering in the town! Mountain Goats are the least likely to spot, but our drive up Trail Ridge Road will maximize our chances as we go to higher elevations.

Small Mammals

Smaller mammals may be spotted throughout the park as well! Yellow Bellied Marmots may be seen hanging out at Emerald Lake, the summit of Trail Ridge Road or along a trail. Pika are small alpine mammals actually related to rabbits that can be found in high altitude rocky areas. Beavers are a keystone species and ecosystem engineer in the park. Badgers, otters, long-tailed and short-tailed weasels, snowshoe hares among others also call this home but are less likely to be seen.

Birds

The birding opportunities are endless as we explore the Rockies. Stellar's Jays, Magpies are commonly spotted. You may also see species such as the Clark's Nutcracker, Golden Eagle, or Dusky Grouse among the many species calling this park home.

Logistics

ARRIVAL
8/10 @ 1PM

Arrive after 1 pm to Glacier Basin Campground
Airport: Denver International Airport
Train: Denver Union Station
Estes Park Shuttle is an option for transfer from airport to park

DEPARTURE
8/14 @ 12PM

Our trip comes to end at Glacier Basin Campground at 12 pm August 14th unless you are backpacking
You have the option of staying in the park to explore on the 14th

WHAT TO PACK?

Click to view & download packing list. Check out our gear page for more recommendations.