Top picks
- Classic summer day trip
Rocky Mountain National Park Summer
- Denver
- Full day
- Viator
From $169 pp
Check availability - Boulder + Stanley Hotel stops, picnic at Sprague Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tour - From Denver
- Denver
- 8 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $179 pp
Check availability - Trail Ridge Road + picnic lunch
Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Tour with Picnic Lunch
- Denver
- 9.5 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $169 pp
Check availability
Prices checked on the dates shown in the comparison below; the booking site has the live price. We may earn a commission.
Compare tours
| Tour | Starts | Length | From | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain National Park SummerViator | Denver | Full day | $169 pp | Classic summer day trip | Check availability for Rocky Mountain National Park Summer on Viator |
| Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tour - From DenverOperator: Explorer ToursGetYourGuide | Denver | 8 hours | $179 pp | Boulder + Stanley Hotel stops, picnic at Sprague Lake | Check availability for Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tour - From Denver on GetYourGuide |
| Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Tour with Picnic LunchOperator: Colorado SightseerGetYourGuide | Denver | 9.5 hours | $169 pp | Trail Ridge Road + picnic lunch | Check availability for Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Tour with Picnic Lunch on GetYourGuide |
| From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park TourOperator: Aspire ToursGetYourGuide | Denver | 8 hours | $199 pp | Wildlife-focused small group | Check availability for From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Tour on GetYourGuide |
| From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Winter/Spring TourOperator: Colorado SightseerGetYourGuide | Denver | 8 hours | $149 pp | Off-season visits (lowest price) | Check availability for From Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park Winter/Spring Tour on GetYourGuide |
| Denver: Private Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife TourOperator: Alderman GuidesGetYourGuide | Denver | 8 hours | $595 per group | Private group; listed price is per group | Check availability for Denver: Private Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife Tour on GetYourGuide |
| Private Tour: Discover Rocky Mountain National Park From DenverViator | Denver | Full day | See price | Private, flexible pace | Check availability for Private Tour: Discover Rocky Mountain National Park From Denver on Viator |
| Estes Park: Bear Lake Corridor TourOperator: Green Jeep ToursGetYourGuide | Estes Park | 2.5 hours | $129.90 pp | Already staying in Estes Park; photography | Check availability for Estes Park: Bear Lake Corridor Tour on GetYourGuide |
Tours are ordered by who they suit, and commission plays no part in that. We haven't taken every tour, so details come from each operator's listing. “See price” means the listing showed only a non-USD price when we checked. The booking site shows live prices and availability.
What to expect on a day tour
Most Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) tours leave downtown Denver in the morning and return in the early evening, usually 8 to 9.5 hours door to door. The park's eastern entrances sit beside the town of Estes Park, roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive from Denver, so expect about three to four hours of the day in the vehicle. Most itineraries include some of these stops:
- Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., topping out at 12,183 feet. It's usually open from late May to mid-October, weather permitting.
- Wildlife stops in meadows such as Horseshoe Park and Moraine Park, where elk are common, especially in September and October when the rut is on.
- Short walks at lakes such as Sprague Lake or the Bear Lake area. Tours stay on easy paths, so you don't need to be a hiker.
- Estes Park for lunch or a stroll; several tours also stop at the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King's The Shining.
Tours and the timed-entry permit
In peak season the park requires a timed-entry reservation for private vehicles. For 2026 the National Park Service lists park-wide timed entry as May 22 to October 12 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Bear Lake Road as May 22 to October 18 (5 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Both have ended for 2026, so for now you only need an entrance pass (NPS). Licensed tour operators enter under their own commercial authorization, so tour guests generally don't need a reservation of their own; at least one listing below says so directly. Confirm with your operator before you book.
How to choose a tour
- “Summer” tours drive Trail Ridge Road; winter/spring tours (from $149) stay at lower elevations because the high road is closed.
- Small-group vans stop more often for photos. Private tours cost more (one listing below is $595 for the whole group) but suit families or photographers.
- Some tours include a picnic lunch, and others give you free time in Estes Park to buy your own. Check “What's included.”
- If you're already staying in Estes Park, a 2.5-hour jeep tour (from $129.90) is better value than a full day from Denver.
What it costs
Group day tours from Denver run about $149-$189 per person, with a few at $199. Prices we saw on October 11, 2026: $169 for Viator's “Rocky Mountain National Park Summer,” $169-$199 for GetYourGuide's summer tours and $149 for the winter/spring version. Tips for your guide usually aren't included.
Best time to go
From mid-June to September Trail Ridge Road is open, and wildflowers peak in July. Mid-September to mid-October brings golden aspens and the elk rut. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, which is one reason tours start early. From late October to May you'll see snow at the lower elevations, with fewer crowds and lower prices.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Rocky Mountain National Park tour from Denver?
Most group tours from Denver last 8 to 9.5 hours including about 1.5-2 hours of driving each way. Tours that start in Estes Park are shorter, around 2.5 hours.
How much does an RMNP tour from Denver cost?
Group day tours typically cost $149-$199 per person. Private tours are priced per group; one private wildlife tour we found lists $595.
Do I need a timed-entry permit if I take a tour?
Licensed operators enter under their own commercial authorization, so tour guests generally don't need a reservation of their own. Check with the operator to be sure. For 2026, park-wide timed entry ran May 22 to October 12 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.); Bear Lake Road timed entry ran May 22 to October 18 (5 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Both have ended for 2026, so for now you only need an entrance pass.
When is Trail Ridge Road open?
It usually opens in late May and closes for the season in mid-to-late October, depending on snow. On October 13, 2026 the park closed it temporarily for snow and ice between Rainbow Curve and Milner Pass, and its average seasonal closing date is October 23, so expect it to stay closed for winter soon (NPS). Winter tours visit lower-elevation areas instead.
Is the park entrance fee included?
It depends on the tour, so check the “What's included” section of the listing before booking.
Most of these tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Check the terms on each listing.