{"id":2320,"date":"2019-05-08T00:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T00:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitgrandcoun.wpengine.com\/articles\/fall-on-the-west-side-of-rmnp\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T09:53:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:53:24","slug":"fall-on-the-west-side-of-rmnp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/blog\/fall-on-the-west-side-of-rmnp\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall on the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"Wooden<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a> is a stunning place year-round, but its beauty truly shines in the fall. From August through October (always weather-dependent in the mountains), the aspen trees glow gold and bugling elk call to each other through the cool autumn air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed-entry permit from late May to mid-October. Make your reservation at Recreation.gov<\/a> and get the most up-to-date information on trails and stops on the National Park website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rocky Mountain Fall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re peeping honey-colored leaves along the Kawuneeche Valley<\/a>\u2019s tree-lined trails, spying on bugling elk<\/a> during their fall rutting season or cruising on scenic drives<\/a> to stop and snap photos, this is the time to plan your fall trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall Foliage Drives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reaching a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road<\/a> is the highest paved through road in the country and meanders from Grand Lake<\/a> to Estes Park, taking you over the Continental Divide<\/a>. On this approximate two-hour drive, you’ll see foliage displaying a variety of plants and colors as you ascend and descend along the way. Be sure to check the current road status<\/a> before you head out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaf-Peeping Hikes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As green turns to yellow, orange and red all over the park, it can be hard to determine where you’ll catch the most spectacular views for the brief leaf-peeping season. For an easier trek, head to the East Inlet Trailhead to the roaring cascades of Adams Falls<\/a>. The trailhead is walkable from downtown Grand Lake and wanders through patches of aspen groves and sweet-smelling pines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a moderately challenging hike, head to Lulu City, the abandoned mining town in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the 7.4-mile round-trip hike, there\u2019s about 350 feet in elevation gain, with much of the path meandering along the Colorado River<\/a>. The length of this hike ensures you’ll see plenty of foliage in the open meadows, with the bonus of spotting some log-cabin remains from the old days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elk Bugling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sight and sound of Rocky Mountain fall is the annual elk bugling<\/a> that occurs in September and October, sometimes all the way into November. Our favorite views in the fall are on the west side. Elk herds descend from the high country to the Kawuneeche Valley\u2019s marshy meadows for breeding \u2014 and you can easily see (and hear!) them from your vehicle. One of the best spots in the Kawuneeche Valley is the Holzwarth Historic Site<\/a>, accessible from U.S. Route 34, 7 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance Station. Or go 1 mile north from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center and look for parking at the Harbison Meadows Picnic Site<\/a>, where the elk frequently gather and graze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips to Stand Grand<\/a> and ensure your elk viewing is as safe as possible this season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n