July in Rocky Mountain National Park: What You Need to Know!

July is an amazing time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park during the month of July, then you are in for a treat. Learn all about what you can expect in terms of weather, how busy the park will be, where to see wildlife, great activities to do at this time of year, and restrictions to park access. You'll find all this and more in this video. I have spent the last 20 years exploring and photographing Rocky Mountain National Park. I have a gallery in Estes Park called "Images of Rocky Mountain National Park" and I have written numerous books on the national park from coffee table books to hiking and photo guides on the park.
LEARN ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK:
🌲 Everything you want to know about Rocky Mountain National Park can be found on my website: www.RockyMountainNationalPark....
👮 Learn about the Timed-entry Reservation System for Rocky Mountain National Park. Read all about it here: www.rockymountainnationalpark... or watch my video on it: • How to navigate Rocky ...
🧗 Discover the many activities you can do in Rocky at: www.rockymountainnationalpark...
🥾 Checkout my highly acclaimed hiking guide: "Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park: The Essential Guide". www.rockytrailpress.com/produ...
ABOUT ME:
📸 My photos of Rocky Mountain National Park can be found at: www.ImagesofRMNP.com
📖 My books can be found at: www.RockyTrailPress.com
🌐 My personal website is: www.ErikStensland.com
🎨 My gallery in Estes Park is located at: 203 Park Lane. For times and details visit: www.imagesofrmnp.com/page/Est...
NOTES:
🎥 All filming in Rocky Mountain National Park was done with a commercial filming license obtained through the National Park Service.

[@terryscott9041]

Can’t wait will be at RMNP late July on a week trip to Colorado Springs!

[@ErikStensland]

I hope you have a fabulous trip! It's a great time of year!

[@djdadbod]

We visited your studio last Wednesday, your art work is spectacular

[@ErikStensland]

Thank you so much!

[@johng5710]

I'll be there July 17-18...can't wait!

[@ErikStensland]

It’s a great time to come!

[@Cardioligist]

Man i was just there visiting and we ran right by your studio 😅 i was looking for a restroom the beef jerky place didnt have any haha

[@ErikStensland]

Next time you'll have to stop in, though we don't have a public restroom either. They are on next to the police station just a 60 second walk from my gallery. :)

[@janellglouser3105]

Have been enjoying your monthly RMNP videos. Any more advice, for non backpackers, on how to avoid the crowds? We started hiking at 6:30a on the Haiyaha Loop last Wednesday. Each lake was busier than the last and by the time we got to Alberta Falls it was a madhouse mob. Any suggestions of places to hike in the summer with out so many people?

[@ErikStensland]

Janell, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I think more and more people are arriving in the Bear Lake area before the start of the timed-entry system. My main suggestion is to enjoy hikes outside of the Bear Lake area. There are so many great ones to enjoy. Perhaps I need to do a video about those. Try visiting, Fern and Odessa Lake from the trailhead just west of Moraine Park. Lawn Lake and Ypsilon Lake are big but quieter hikes from the Lawn Lake TH near Horseshoe Park. On the west side vist the Big Meadows Loop: Onahu and Green Mtn TH or visit the East Inlet Trail, Colorado River Trail, or Timber Lake Trail. In just another week or so you should be able to do the Ute Trail from the Alpine Visitor Center to Poudre Lake. Right now there's still a lot of snow at Poudre Lake.

[@user-zi6hz1pw1h]

We usually visit in late spring or September but we did do a July trip in 2019. My favorite part was the explosion of wildflowers everywhere, which you don't see as much of in other seasons. Truly a feast for the eyes!

[@ErikStensland]

Some years it really can be amazing. I think this year will be pretty good as well.

[@farrukhsaeed7522]

Thanks for your informative video, we visited GRM two years ago and we feel in love with the area. This july we are planning to take route from Silverthorne to Grand lake to Alpine visitor center and then Bear lake area after 6 pm. Do you think it good route and any suggestions and we need any entrances pass.

[@ErikStensland]

It sounds like a nice drive. You will definitely need entrance passes to enter the park, as they are needed all year long. If you arrive at the entrance station after 2pm, you will not need a timed-entry reservation. One thing to keep in mind though is that if you arrive in the afternoon you will be up on Trail Ridge Road possibly during an afternoon thunderstorm. That may block your views, make driving a little more challenging if it's really raining or hailing, and you won't be able to get out and enjoy the tundra. Apart from that, it sounds like a good plan. You should also expect long lines on Bear Lake Road from 6pm to 7pm.