Majestic Rocky Mountain National Park is an immensely popular tourist destination that many locals avoid during peak season. For the 2021 season, the park is planning to a timed entry system from 5/28/2021 through 10/11/2021. Off-season is still busy but can offer a more leisurely experience if you get a little creative with when you visit. We recommend visiting on a weekday, even in the off-season.
The current published policy on watercraft is buried at the bottom of the park's fishing regulations, and allows non-motorized crafts on all park waters except Bear Lake. There are a handful of nice paddleboarding lakes in the park that are both close to a road and area not Bear Lake. The park has specific fishing regulations for different water bodies within the park, so carefully review the fishing page if you plan to bring a rod. A parks entrance permit ($25/daily) or annual pass is required for all waters and trails.
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| Lake Estes with Lumpy Ridge beyond |
Estes Park--the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain--also features a pleasant paddleboarding destination in Lake Estes. Lake Estes is a great backup plan for days when parking or entry to Rocky Mountain proves difficult, or when conditions higher up are less pleasant. With a larger water surface and rentals available, it's also a great destination on its own. Scroll to the end of the post for info on Lake Estes.
