Rocky Mountain National Park Glacier Basin Campground
Rocky Mountain National Park
Glacier Basin Campground is currently closed for the winter 2024/2025 season. Glacier Basin Campground will open for the summer 2025 camping season on Thursday, May 22. During the summer season, all campsites at Glacier Basin Campground are available by reservation only. Reservations must be made online at www.recreation.gov, through the Recreation.gov Mobile App, or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Glacier Basin Campground is located on the east side of RMNP at an elevation of 8,500 feet. There are 150 campsites available. To get to Glacier Basin Campground, drive up Bear Lake Road approximately 5 miles. The entrance to Glacier Basin Campground is across from the Park & Ride Parking Area.
- Any sites that are open are listed as "A" for available; this means those campsites are available to be reserved.
- Any campsite listed as “NR” has Not Yet Released; this means that those campsites are not yet available to be reserved.
- A number of campsites are available to be reserved up to 6-months in advance on a rolling window.
- Some campsites are available to be reserved 2-weeks prior to your desired camping date.
- Some campsites are available to be reserved 1-week prior to your desired camping date.
- Group campsites are available to be reserved 1-year in advance on a rolling window.
Is a Timed Entry Reservation Included with my Camping Reservation?
Yes. Campers with reservations for Glacier Basin Campground have a "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" reservation included with your camping reservation. Your campground reservation will serve as your vehicle timed entry reservation. Campers can enter RMNP via the Grand Lake, Beaver Meadows or Fall River Entrances beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of your camping reservation. Remember to print and bring a copy of your campground reservation with you and keep this in your vehicle. You will be asked to show your campground reservation confirmation at the park's entrance station upon arrival.
When Can I Check into My Campsite?
Check In begins at 1 p.m. for all campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park.
What Time is Check Out?
All campers must check out of their campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park by noon.
How Many Nights Can I Stay at Glacier Basin Campground?
In Rocky Mountain National Park, there is a 7-night limit for all campgrounds during the summer season. This means that campers can stay a total of 7 nights inside the park. This limit includes overnight stays at all campgrounds. For instance, a camper could spend 7 nights at Glacier Basin Campground or they could stay 3 nights at Glacier Basin Campground and 4 at Timber Creek Campground.
Glacier Basin Campground contains several group and family tent-only sites, as well as RV sites without hookups. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate and tent pad. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided.
There is a shuttle stop inside the campground for the park’s free shuttle bus. The shuttle system provides easy access to many trailheads and scenic destinations located throughout the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Click on the following link to learn more about the Bear Lake Road Corridor .
Due to a pine beetle epidemic, all the trees in the C Loop, D Loop and the Group Loop have been removed, leaving little to no shade in these areas. However, this campground has beautiful views of the mountains and the night sky.
Need to Know
Need to Know - You must scroll down and read all of the "Need to Know Information" below.
By completing your camping reservation, you are agreeing to the following items. Use the scroll bar in this small window to scroll and read all the information.
Roads & Construction: When traveling on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, please pardon our mess. In the town of Estes Park, crews are working to improve access to and from RMNP. Inside Rocky, construction is wrapping up from a major improvement project at the Fall River Entrance. Please give yourself plenty of time to arrive and pack your patience; these projects will greatly improve access to Rocky Mountain National Park for current and future visitors.
Camping space is extremely limited. Ensure your camping unit or equipment will fit in your chosen site. Other options may not be available.
Be aware - Vehicles larger than 35-feet are not permitted in Glacier Basin campground.
Timed Entry Permits: For visitors who are camping at Glacier Basin Campground, your Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation is included with your camping reservation.
- Campers will be able to enter the park beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation, which is also the check-in time for all park campgrounds. Campers who plan to enter the park earlier in the day will have to enter the park outside of the times when Timed Entry Permits are in effect (for example, before 9 a.m. for most areas of the park) or make a Timed Entry reservation.
Entrance Fee. A park entrance fee is required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, or show your annual or lifetime park pass. You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival.
Pass Discounts on Camping. If you use a Senior or Access Pass for a camping fee discount while booking a reservation, you must present the pass and photo ID upon check-in.
Check-in Time. Check-in is after 1 p.m.
Site Limits. Each site is limited to eight (8) persons and one camping unit (i.e., a tent, RV, or trailer/tow vehicle) plus one additional tent per standard nonelectric site.
All tents shall be located on the tent pad. All additional camp structures must be self standing without impacts to vegetation or trees.
Parking is limited to two (2) vehicles per site. A vehicle is defined as one vehicle, one trailer, one RV, or one towed unit.
Each vehicle must be parked on the gravel or paved parking pad causing no resource degradation or encroachment onto the paved access road. Some sites will accommodate only one vehicle on the graveled parking pad. Extra vehicles must park in overflow areas.
Maximum length of stay. The maximum length of stay during peak season is 7 nights. Please check the rules and regulations before making your reservation.
Group loop sites 1 through 13 at Glacier Basin Campground are tent only. Vehicles larger than 21-ft are not permitted in the Group Loop.
Be Advised: Trailer length is the total maxium vehicle length allowable.
(Trailer Length = Trailer + Hitch + Vehicle)
Maximum Vehicle + Trailer Length = Vehicle + Trailer + Hitch = 35 ft at Glacier Basin campground.
No Hookups. There are no RV hookups available.
Dump Station. RV sewage and wastewater tanks must be emptied at the dump station.
No Shower or Laundry. There are no shower or laundry facilities in the campground; portable showers are prohibited.
Food Storage and Wildlife. Bears, deer, elk, raccoons and skunks frequent the area. All food, pet food, cooking utensils and any other scented items must be stored in a food storage locker, located in the campground.
Firewood. Firewood is not available for purchase at Glacier Basin Campground. Firewood is available for purchase at stores in Estes Park.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Prohibited Wheeled Devices. The use of skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and other similar devices is prohibited.
STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails and follow local guidelines for firewood. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit the National Invasive Species Information Center .
ATTENTION: If you plan on renting an RV or camping equipment and having it delivered to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is your responsibility to make sure that the individual or business that you are renting the equipment from has a valid permit to do business in the park. It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Renting from a business or individual without a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) with the park may leave you without accommodations as the RV/camping equipment may be turned away upon delivery.
Natural Features
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.
Wildlife is plentiful in the park, and while mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen, black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well.
Nearby Attractions
The Town of Estes Park is a short drive from the campground, located outside of RMNP’s Beaver Meadows and Fall River Entrances. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding, and fishing.
Recreation
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. One of the most popular activities in the park is wildlife viewing. There are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities to see elk, Mule deer, Bighorn sheep, hawks, a wide range of songbirds and more throughout the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers some unforgettable scenic views along of the land above trees, over 1/3 of the park is alpine tundra. Enjoy incredible scenic drives along Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.
Contact Information
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1000 Highway 36 Estes Park CO 80517
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-586-1206
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Estes Park, CO:
Drive on U.S. Highway 36 west from Estes Park. The closest entrance to the park is the Beaver Meadows Entrance. The turn for Bear Lake Road is approximately 0.2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance, located on the left side of the road.
Drive up Bear Lake Road 5.2 miles. The turn to enter Glacier Basin Campground is located on the left side of Bear Lake Road and across from the Park & Ride parking area.
From Grand Lake, CO:
Drive on U.S. Highway 34 east, which becomes Trail Ridge Road inside the park. Enter at the Grand Lake Entrance. Follow Trail Ridge Road east across the continental divide approximately 40 miles. When you come to Deer Ridge Junction, follow the signs for U.S. Hwy 36/Beaver Meadows Entrance. The turn for Bear Lake Road will be on your right, approximately 0.2 miles before the exit to the park.
Drive up Bear Lake Road 5.2 miles. The turn to enter Glacier Basin Campground is located on the left side of Bear Lake Road and across from the Park & Ride parking area.
Available Campsites
- Site D145, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C068, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D122, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B053, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D150, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G001-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site C091, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B037, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C103, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D132, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C071, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D129, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C111, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A019, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A021, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C114, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B033, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D133, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C112, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C117, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D148, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B057, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A015, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A023, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C102, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C093, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B036, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B055, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C084, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A029, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C097, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D124, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G011-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site A002, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B054, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C092, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site G010-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site C063, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C085, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C069, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site G005-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site A006, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C118, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A009, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C110, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A018, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C070, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B059, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A014, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C073, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C113, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C081, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B049, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D121, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C116, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B045, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B060, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D142, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C072, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D138, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D139, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A024, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C088, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C086, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C066, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B046, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C090, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C089, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D137, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B051, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site G008-S, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site C075, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B040, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C082, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D131, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B056, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A025, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C076, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D130, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B047, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C078, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C101, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A026, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D144, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A032, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A017, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D136, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A027, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C067, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C104, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A004, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G003-M, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site B038, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A028, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C119, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B052, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C099, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B035, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B041, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C096, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B058, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A013, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C106, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C107, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C105, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A008, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D149, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D126, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A001, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C109, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C087, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C094, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B048, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C115, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D141, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A003, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B034, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B039, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C120, Loop loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C095, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C065, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C098, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B042, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D147, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C079, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A016, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D143, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site D135, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A031, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site D146, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C083, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B043, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B050, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A022, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A011, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site C100, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A030, Loop Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site B044, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C077, Loop loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site G007-L, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
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