Booking choice: The summer tour from Denver, from $169 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The single most repeated tip in guest reviews is the same: bring layers. The higher you climb, the colder it gets, and the tundra is windy.
Most tours run in all weather, so what you wear decides how much you enjoy the top of the road.
The quick answer
Wear layers: a T-shirt, a warm fleece and a rain jacket, even if Denver is hot. Guests report it being 20 to 35 degrees colder at the top. Add sturdy shoes with grip, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and carry a refillable water bottle. Afternoon storms are common, so keep the rain jacket in the van.
What should you wear in Rocky Mountain National Park in summer?
Layers you can add and remove: a T-shirt, a warm fleece or light down jacket, and a rain jacket, with long trousers or convertible hiking pants.
Valleys can be warm by midday, while the Alpine Visitor Center sits at 11,796 feet with wind across open tundra. Tour operators say they run in all weather and ask guests to dress appropriately.
Packed your layers? The summer tour goes all the way up to the Alpine Visitor Center.
Check dates for the summer tour from DenverHow cold is it at the top of Trail Ridge Road?
Much colder than Denver: guests report 20 to 35 degrees colder at the top, with wind and passing rain.
One guest on the Denver day trip wrote that temperatures dropped 35 degrees below Denver's, and advised dressing for wind and intermittent rain. On the open jeep, guests say it gets very cold at the Alpine Visitor Center (their guide brought blankets).
Do you need a rain jacket?
Yes. Summer thunderstorms build on most afternoons, and the park says most storm activity comes after noon.
A light waterproof shell doubles as a windbreaker on the tundra. If lightning starts, get back to the vehicle: the park advises being off the exposed high country before storms arrive. Guides plan the high stops for the morning for that reason.
Which shoes are best?
Closed shoes with good grip: sneakers or light hiking shoes are fine for tours, and guests call sturdy shoes a must.
Lake paths and overlooks are rocky, and trails can be wet. On the guided hiking day, the operator describes a moderate hike of about 4 miles at altitude, so wear proper hiking shoes you have already broken in.
Want to walk more than an overlook? A guided 4-mile hike with lunch and park entry, from Denver or Boulder.
Explore the guided hiking dayHow do you handle sun and altitude?
Protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty: at 12,000 feet the air is thin and the sun is strong.
Wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen even on cool days. The park warns that altitude sickness brings headaches, nausea, fatigue and dizziness, and that the only cure is to go lower. Walk slowly at the top and rest if you feel unwell.
What should you pack for a day in the park?
A small daypack with warm and wet-weather layers, sun protection, water and snacks.
- Warm fleece or light down jacket
- Rain jacket
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle (several tours refill it)
- Sturdy shoes with grip
- Binoculars or a zoom lens for wildlife
- Passport or ID if you are not a US resident
- Any medication you need during the day
Is there anything else guests wish they had known?
Guests say the toilets in the park are mostly vault toilets, the days from Denver are long, and a water bottle is essential.
Use the toilets at the visitor centers when you can. For wildlife days, earth-toned layers and binoculars help; see where to see wildlife. And check the fees before you pack your wallet.
Ready for the high country? The summer tour includes snacks, water refills and a picnic.
Check dates for the summer tour from DenverFrequently asked questions
Do I need a jacket in Rocky Mountain National Park in July?
Yes. Bring a warm fleece and a rain jacket: it can be 20 to 35 degrees colder at the top of Trail Ridge Road than in Denver.
Can I wear shorts in Rocky Mountain National Park?
In the valleys, often yes, but pack long trousers or a warm layer for the tundra, where it is cold and windy.
What shoes should I wear on a Rocky Mountain tour?
Closed shoes with grip, such as sneakers or light hiking shoes; guests say sturdy shoes are a must.
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Rocky Mountain Summer Tour from Denver
- Small group of 12 or fewer in a touring van, local driver-guide
- Trail Ridge Road, Alpine Visitor Center, Many Parks Curve, Alluvial Fan
- Picnic lunch in the park, snacks and water refills
