Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife

It has been decades since the airwaves first brought the world John Denver's “Rocky Mountain High,” rocketing Colorado into instant popularity. The success of Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail, Colorado Springs, and other ski resort areas has caused tremendous growth all across the state. Condos and houses have come to cover the foothills and mountainsides... all of which makes Rocky Mountain National Park all the more precious and wondrous a place to visit. Unlike most of the state, Rocky Mountain National Park has been entirely preserved and protected from commercial development. There are no ski lifts, no snowmobile excursions, no snowcats; Aside from transportation vehicles, if you can't do it under your own power, you can't do it within the park, and this is a very good thing for those who want to take pictures and leave footprints.

Visitors to the Rocky Mountain National Park are in for a truly unique experience. Nowhere else in the lower forty-nine states can you find Tundra terrain... yet it exists there in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildlife abounds and flourishes, unhindered and unaffected by the encroachment of civilization. Black bears, eagles, hawks, Peregrine and Prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, goshawks, Cooper's Hawks, badgers, porcupines, squirrels, rabbits, Big Horn Sheep... deer, elk, moose, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, weasels, river otters, marmots... and the farmer of the tundra, the Pika, are all found there in the park, at their natural best! (To date, Grizzly bears, rattlesnakes and Grey wolves have not been sighted in the park.)

That's only one facet of this rare and cherished treasure. The flora is part of the picture as well. Aspen, Ponderosa Pines, Lodgepole Pines, Engleman Spruce (prized by guitar makers around the world,) white spruce, western Hemlock and western red cedar trees are all part and parcel of the landscape. In all there are over 900 species and subspecies of flowers which grow within the park, and we won't even begin to try to list them all here! Simply being able to see the tundra environment, the lichen, etc. first-hand is reason enough by itself to explore this awesome place!

Rocky Mountain National Park begins at the west edge of Estes Park, north and a bit west of Denver, Colorado, and extends west on past the Continental Divide! That's a huge piece of mountain landscape, truly and perfectly protected. There are roads to drive in, and even some tour buses which can take one along the ridgeline of the mountains, where you may witness some of the wildlife for yourself. Mountaineering and rock climbing are permitted, as is cross-country skiing. Downhill skiing is also technically allowed, but few attempt it more than once!

Fishing, mountaineering and rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking and backcountry camping are allowed, on a “leave no trace” basis. All of these natural activities allow one to visit the wonders and splendors of this most spectacular preserve. You'll want to make plans and reservations, as camping and some other aspects are limited. Make the time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and see her wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park is a true national treasure!

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