Two very different national parks in one state: high alpine roads and a timed-entry system in the north, a dunes-and-creek campground in the San Luis Valley. Know which roads your rig can use and when the campgrounds close.
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is the Colorado park most RV travelers picture: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, elk in Moraine Park. It also runs a timed-entry system in the busy season, closes most campgrounds in late September and early October, and bars trailers from Old Fall River Road. Plan the dates and roads first.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, about a day south in the San Luis Valley, is a quieter second stop. Its Piñon Flats Campground has no hookups, and Medano Creek, the seasonal stream at the base of the dunes, flows in spring and early summer. Together they make a good Colorado loop for a self-contained rig.
| RMNP entrance | $30 for one day, $35 for seven days, $70 annual. Nonresident visitors 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person on top of other fees |
|---|---|
| Timed entry | 2026: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. entry window from May 22 to Oct 12 for most of the park; Bear Lake Road corridor requires its own permit from 5 a.m.–6 p.m. through Oct 18. $2 Recreation.gov fee, two-hour windows |
| Moraine Park | $35 non-electric, $55 electric in summer; $30 and $55 in winter. Electric on Loops B and C only. No water hookups |
| Great Sand Dunes entrance | $25 per vehicle, $45 annual |
| Piñon Flats | $20 individual sites, 88 sites, no hookups, April through October. Book up to three months ahead |
| Dump stations | RMNP: near the Moraine Park ranger station with fresh water. Great Sand Dunes: available in the warm months |
| Trail Ridge Road | Status line 970-586-1222. Check before driving; it closes for weather |
RMNP’s main roads are paved, but the gravel and high-elevation ones have firm limits.
RMNP’s season is short and the timed-entry window shapes it. The dunes peak in spring.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late May to June | Timed entry starts May 22 in 2026. Medano Creek flows April through June, peaking in late May or early June. Roads can still be snowy at altitude. |
| July to August | Peak crowds. Old Fall River Road opens in early July. Book campgrounds as early as the Recreation.gov window allows. |
| September to mid-October | Elk season and aspen color. Aspenglen and Timber Creek close in late September and early October in 2026; timed entry ends Oct 12. |
| Late October to April | Moraine Park winter camping is first come, first served. Roads can close for snow. Piñon Flats is open April to October. |
Inside RMNP the options are a handful of campgrounds with few hookups and early closing dates. Great Sand Dunes has one main campground with no hookups. Private parks in Estes Park and Grand Lake are the usual hookup option, but we did not verify specific ones.
Best for: The one RMNP campground with electric sites and a winter option, close to Bear Lake Road.
Watch out: Summer reservations go through Recreation.gov. Site lengths were not listed on the pages we read.
Best for: A quieter alternative on the Fall River side.
Watch out: Closes earlier than Moraine Park. Check the campground page for details.
Best for: A west-side base for Trail Ridge Road and the Kawuneeche Valley.
Watch out: Closes early in autumn.
Best for: Longs Peak is for tents only, so it is not an RV option.
Watch out: Glacier Basin reopens in 2027 on dates the NPS will post.
Best for: Camping within walking distance of the dunes and Medano Creek.
Watch out: Book up to three months ahead for spring weekends.
Private RV parks in Estes Park and Grand Lake offer full hookups, but we did not verify rates, lengths or road access. Ask for a written quote.
These plans use one base per park and keep the rig off roads it can’t use.
First visit with a timed-entry reservation.
A longer Colorado loop.
Spare days for weather.
The high road across RMNP. It closes for weather, so check the status line before you go.
A 9.2 mile paved road to the Bear Lake trailheads. It has its own timed-entry permit in the busy season.
A big meadow near the campground where elk are often visible in autumn.
A gravel one-way road to the alpine tundra. Closed to trailers and vehicles over 25 feet.
The tallest dunes in North America, with Medano Creek at the base in spring.
A seasonal creek that flows April through June, peaking in late May or early June.
Book ahead. Timed entry and campground reservations both go through Recreation.gov. Match your campground dates to the closing dates above.
Know your road limits. Old Fall River Road is closed to trailers and vehicles over 25 feet.
Allow for altitude and weather. Mountain roads close, and the Traction Law can apply.
Estes Park and Grand Lake are the gateway towns for fuel, groceries and private parks. Great Sand Dunes is remote, so fill up and stock before you arrive.
We list only prices found on official pages. Private-park rates were not verified.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RMNP entrance | $30 one day, $35 seven days, $70 annual | Nonresidents 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person. |
| Timed-entry permit | $2 | Recreation.gov reservation fee, in addition to entrance. |
| RMNP campsite | $30–$55 | Depends on season and electric or non-electric. |
| Great Sand Dunes entrance | $25 per vehicle, $45 annual | — |
| Piñon Flats site | $20 | No hookups. |
| Private RV park | Request a quote | Not verified. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
In 2026 a permit was required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. between May 22 and Oct 12 for most of the park, plus a separate Bear Lake Road corridor permit from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct 18. Call 970-586-1206 to ask about camper exemptions.
No. The NPS bars vehicles over 25 feet and any vehicle pulling a trailer.
Moraine Park has electric sites on Loops B and C. No campground has water hookups.
No. Piñon Flats has no hookups; it has a dump station in the warm months.
Typically April through June, peaking in late May or early June.
When posted, vehicles need tires with at least 3/16 inch of tread or a traction device.
Rules were checked October 15, 2026. Fees, closures and availability will change, so use the official pages below as the source of truth.