- State: CO
- NPCA Region: Southwest
- Est. Date: 1915
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Significant Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
This dramatic landscape of towering mountains and alpine lakes encompasses more than 265,000 acres - 95% of which are designated wilderness. With this intentional focus on protecting this unique landscape, there are few developed infrastructure areas in the park, which leads to traffic problems in areas including the Bear Lake Road Corridor and right off Trail Ridge Road. Alpine tundra also encompasses approximately 1/3 of the park. Alpine tundra is a fundamental and fragile resource, which requires park managers to give this ecosystem increased attention for protection.
Greetings from Rocky Mountain National Park
Moose reading the "No Pets Beyond This Point" sign at Lilly Lake, CO on August 14, 2015.
More about Rocky Mountain
-
Read more about Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories
Fact Sheet Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories The Great American Outdoors Act is providing crucial funding – up to $6.65 billion over five years – to fix our national parks’ crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems and many more repair needs. This bill, along with other funding sources, is ensuring our parks can continue to welcome millions of visitors each year and protect the natural and cultural resources that tell our nation’s history.
-
Read more about 5 More Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories
Blog Post 5 More Great American Outdoors Act Success Stories This historic, bipartisan 2020 legislation has made big improvements in our national parks. As NPCA calls on Congress to extend this critically needed source of funding for deferred maintenance and repairs, these five parks showcase how this investment makes a difference.
-
Read more about Pristine No More
Magazine Article Pristine No More Researchers are detecting traces of human waste in some of the national parks’ most remote lakes and streams.
-
Read more about Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain to Resume Timed Entry Access in 2023
Press Release Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain to Resume Timed Entry Access in 2023 “Thanks to managed access, visitors to Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain saw more wildlife and wild lands than brake lights and traffic jams the last several years" -- NPCA's Cassidy Jones
-
they are the only special places in the United States where the natural resources are truly protected. — Claire
-
Read more about Paradise Found?
Magazine Article Paradise Found? A century ago, a college student in “cavewoman” attire reportedly braved bears, freezing temperatures and a bearskin-clad suitor in the wilds of Rocky Mountain National Park. Did any of it actually happen?
-
Read more about Troubled Waters
Magazine Article Troubled Waters For decades, biologists and anglers stocked national parks with nonnative trout. What will it take to undo the ecological damage?
-
Read more about Park Talks
Regional Events Park Talks Join our NPCA community for virtual "Park Talks" to learn about our work and ways you can get involved.
-
Read more about Pines in Peril
Magazine Article Pines in Peril Grand Teton’s lodgepole forests are exquisitely adapted to wildfire — but can they survive a changing climate?
-
Read more about Colorado Air Quality Regulator Reverses Decision to Retire Coal Plants Early
Press Release Colorado Air Quality Regulator Reverses Decision to Retire Coal Plants Early Air Quality Control Commission sides with corporate polluters over decision to force the early retirement of three coal plants
-
Read more about The 12 Parks Most Threatened by Oil & Gas Drilling
Blog Post The 12 Parks Most Threatened by Oil & Gas Drilling Oil and gas development threatens the future of national parks. NPCA's new report, “Spoiled Parks,” highlights what we stand to lose in the face of the current administration's energy policies.
-
Read more about Spoiled Parks: Top 12 National Parks Threatened by Trump Administration's Energy Agenda
Press Release Spoiled Parks: Top 12 National Parks Threatened by Trump Administration's Energy Agenda Spoiled Parks explores how current leasing policies have scarred landscapes and threaten future harm to clean air, cultural heritage, wildlife and tourism economies.
-
Read more about Celebrate Colorado!
Blog Post Celebrate Colorado! 5 reasons my state’s national parks should be on your bucket list — and how NPCA works to protect them.
-
Read more about Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes
Fact Sheet Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes National parks are key to protecting and connecting our most revered places.
-
Read more about Center for State of the Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park
Report Center for State of the Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park As is true of most national parks, Rocky Mountain faces pressures that threaten to diminish its splendor and importance to posterity.
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now