Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer Tour from Denver
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Denver, USA
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit one of the most beautiful parks in the American West on a full-day tour from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Picnic among a summer landscape of thick green trees and wildflower meadows, and drive above timberline on an alpine road with stunning mountain views. Stroll around and look for Colorado wildlife inside the park, with time for a dose of mountain culture in the charming resort town of Estes Park.
- Explore the best of Rocky Mountain National Park without renting a car
- Cross the Continental Divide on Trail Ridge Road
- Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by Colorado's summertime scenery
- This small-group tour makes exploring more personal
What's Included
- National Park fees *Bring your national Park pass and receive a $10 refund on your tour.
- Snacks and water bottle refills
- Picnic Lunch in the park
- Local Driver/Guide
- Live commentary on board
- Small-group tour 12 guests or less total
- Gratuities (10-20% recommended)
- Government Fees$100.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Denver Union Station1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Please meet at Union Station in front of the flagpole and the Crawford Hotel at 8:15 am. Our guide will meet you and walk you to the touring van. We will park as close to the flagpole as possible at the passenger pickup and dropoff lane on Wynkoop Street.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.8:15 am
Itinerary
Fall River Visitor Center (Pass By)
1
Alluvial Fan
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Horseshoe Park
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Trail Ridge Road
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
4
Rock Cut
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Alpine Visitor Center
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Milner Pass
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
7
Forest Canyon Overlook
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
8
Many Parks Curve Overlook
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (Pass By)
9
Downtown Estes Park
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
The Stanley Hotel
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a small possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the unlikely event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Vegetarian and gluten free option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please make your sandwich selection in the special requirements field when booking, or by calling or emailing at least 24 hrs in advance. Please choose from the following options: Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Tuna Salad or Veggie. If we do not receive your request a turkey sandwich will be provided.
- Options for Boulder and Estes Park Pickup need to be arranged directly with Colorado Sightseer
- We will travel up into high altitudes if concerned please consult you physician prior to travel.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Christine_M
This was an amazing tour for RMNP. We were able to stop and take in so many scenic views. There was a nice balance of stops with bus time which made it feel like we maximized our experience. Our tour guide was very knowledgable about the nature in the park and the wildlife. We enjoyed every minute of the experience. Would highly recommend especially if your time in Denver is limited and you want to see this slice of American beauty. Great for families with school age kids.
Reviews
4.9
based on 858 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jeri_P, Aug 2026
I chose this tour because of amount of locations within Rocky Mountain National park and I wanted domeone else to drive so i can look. It was amazing. Emily made it so much fun and we learned alot. 100% this was the tour to go on. The sandwiches were delicious too!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Leaving the mountain driving to someone else so you can just stare out the window and take in the views is always a winning strategy! Emily will be so pumped to hear she made the drive both fun and informative (and that the food hit the spot). Appreciate you taking the time to share your review, and safe travels on your next adventure!
Kimbra_C, Aug 2026
It was great! Our tour guide had obvious passion about the outdoors and local knowledge that we lacked. I would highly recommend this tour which doesn't require a like of hiking/walking but gives everyone the opportunity to stretch their legs (as much as they want) and see the sites.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
You definitely don't need to be a seasoned hiker to get the full Colorado experience, so hearing that the flexible pace hit the spot for you is great. Having a guide who lives and breathes this landscape makes all the difference on the drive. Appreciate you taking a minute to drop a note!
Sarah_H, Aug 2026
Amazing day trip to the Rockies. Our guide, Jorge, was amazing. Highly recommend booking Colorado Sightseer.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hard to beat a clear day up in the mountains, especially with Jorge behind the wheel! We'll make sure he sees your sweet note. Thanks for spending part of your Colorado trip with us!
Kimberly_B, Aug 2026
Emily is the Best! My boyfriend and I had an awesome time on our tour to the Rockies! So much fun and laughs! Emily is very knowledgeable about a lot of things including Birds, Plants, Animals and Geography. I hope all her dreams come true and she gets her Palisade Peaches 🍑😋🫶
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Emily is going to laugh so hard when she reads this—we'll make sure she gets her Palisade Peach fix this season! She really is a total treasure trove when it comes to mountain plants, birds, and geography, and we're so glad she kept you and your boyfriend laughing the whole drive. Thanks for bringing such great energy on board with us!
Janelle_M, Aug 2026
A perfect mix of time to explore and lots of sites. Alex was our tour guide, and he was incredibly good. Super knowledgeable about a variety of topics, not boring, and took into account the activity levels of the whole group. Those who wanted to hike to the tip top were able to, and those who wanted to chill at the bottom were able to do that too. We are actually thinking about going back in the winter to take the winter tour because he said it’s very different from this one and we enjoyed this one so much.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
That flexibility is Alex's specialty—making sure the high-peak hikers get their workout while anyone wanting a relaxed view gets to kick back at their own pace! He’s completely right about winter, too: snow-dusted peaks, frozen alpine lakes, and a quiet mountain vibe make it feel like an entirely new tour. We'd love to host you again when the snow falls!
Bob_H, Aug 2026
This was a great trip. Anne was the tour guide and was very knowledgeable and kept the whole day on schedule. There is not a better was to see the Rocky Mountains than doing this tour. 100% recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Calling this the best way to see the Rocky Mountains is the ultimate compliment for our team! Anne works hard to make sure every stop feels unhurried while keeping the drive on track. Really appreciate you taking a moment to share your feedback!
Greg_F, Aug 2026
My wife and I traveled with Alex from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, Alex provided commentary about the history and areas that we were passing through (Denver, Boulder, Estes Park, RMNP), and made sure to connect the tour to where each group was from (Delaware, NY, Florida, Ontario, Canada). In RMNP, he drove to the sites listed in the itinerary, giving us background on each one and time to see and reflect on the park's beauty. He also ensured that we saw the wildlife without disturbing their habitat (elk, pika, marmot, and moose). We saw and learned things that we wouldn't or couldn't on our own. Alex was an expert-level tour guide, and Colorado Sightseer organized a great tour. We highly recommend the experience to anyone traveling to the area.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Alex spotting an elk, moose, marmot, and a pika all in one trip while respecting their space is a massive win! But what really sets a tour apart is when a guide weaves together a group coming in from Delaware all the way to Ontario. We're glad Alex gave you and your wife the kind of insider context you couldn't get driving it on your own. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed note!
Michael_W, Jul 2026
Or guide, Phil, was awesome with lots of information along the entire route. The tour was beautiful. We were exhausted in the end, but loved it!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! Get some good rest, and come see us again soon.
Ann_M, Jul 2026
Our tour hide, Alex, made it possible for us to know so much about Rocky Mountain National Park and the areas we traveled to get there and back. He knew the best places to stop, the history, geography and how to keep ourselves safe and well. He made sure to reach out to all the participants to make us comfortable and welcome.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Ann! Thank you for the wonderful review! It was great having you on tour! Come back anytime!
Heather_R, Jul 2026
What a wonderful experience! Emily was our tour guide, and she was fantastic! She made sure everyone had what we needed, that we were comfortable, gave us lots of information, drove safely, and was just a lot of fun! If Emily is your tour guide, please don’t leave her hanging when she asks questions and engages with you as she drives! Even if you just “Woo!” back, it will make the experience more fun for everyone!
We saw lots of wildlife, got to take walks at the different stops, and were able to experience the Rocky Mountains in such a meaningful and memorable way. Everything about this tour is too notch - comfortable and clean shuttle, enough bathroom stops, knowledgeable and caring guide. As a solo traveler, I appreciated everything about this tour, was always comfortable and welcomed. And of course the group I was with was also fantastic! If you are thinking about doing this, do it!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We officially want to hire you as our Chief Hype Person—we couldn't agree more about giving Emily a big 'Woo!' back when she's out on the road! She puts so much energy into making every guest feel included, so hearing how much you leaned into the experience brings a huge smile to our faces.
As a solo traveler, finding a great group dynamic can make or break a trip, and we're so happy you felt welcomed, comfortable, and well taken care of from start to finish. We’ll be sure to pass along your glowing praise to Emily (she is going to love your advice for future guests!).
Hope to welcome you back for another mountain adventure soon!
Maria_A, Jul 2026
Had an amazing trip with Alex our tour guide. He is so knowledgeable and I loved listening to all the fun facts he had about everything inside and outside of the park. He really went the extra mile to make sure we saw the best sites. We saw chipmunks, marmots, pica, and even a moose!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Now THAT is how you celebrate a birthday in style! Happy Belated Birthday, Maria!"
Sounds like the park—and all the local wildlife—decided to put on a special show just for your birthday! Alex is a master at turning a great trip into an unforgettable experience with his endless supply of fun facts and sharp eye for critters.
Thank you for celebrating your big day with Alex and exploring with us, Maria. We hope this next year brings you many more amazing adventures!
David_S, Jul 2026
Phil our tour guide was awesome! He made the experience memorable and interesting and simply perfect
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Now that’s a 10 out of 10 review! 🌟 Phil has a real talent for turning a great day out into an unforgettable story, and we’re thrilled he made your experience so awesome. Thanks a ton for taking a moment to give him a shoutout—we’ll make sure Phil gets the high-five he deserves!
Robbie_N, Jul 2026
We thoroughly enjoyed the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour led by our guide and driver, Emily. She narrated the entire tour while skillfully navigating the winding roads and the inclement weather that rolled in later. Emily impressed us with her knowledge of the Rocky Mountains — the terrain, the animals, and the history — and proved to be a wonderful teacher. She also made the tour feel personal, sharing her own experiences with the Park and with Denver, which gave the whole day a warmth that went beyond the usual guided tour. We were especially struck by how she maneuvered the van to get us as close as possible to the wildlife we spotted along the way: elk, moose, pika, marmots, and a lone sheep. The moose were a particular highlight.
We also appreciated her tips on Denver neighborhoods and places to visit. On her recommendation, we ended up at three food halls — Avanti, Milk Market, and Denver Central Market — all of which were terrific. As regular tour-goers over the years, both in the U.S. and Europe, we rank this among the very best we've been on. We highly recommend it: if you can get a spot, take it. You will not be disappointed — and we hope Emily will be leading more tours soon, because we'd happily join another.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
What an extraordinary review—thank you so much! Coming from seasoned travelers who have toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, your high praise is the absolute highest compliment our team could receive. Emily is truly a master of her craft, and we are so proud of her ability to navigate tricky mountain weather while keeping the experience warm, informative, and safe. We’re thrilled you got such an incredible wildlife show (the moose and lone sheep are always a special treat!) and that you loved Avanti, Milk Market, and Denver Central Market. Thank you for choosing us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back on another tour with Emily in the future!
Gilbert_C, Jul 2026
The Rocky Mountain National Park tour was great! A must do! Jorge, our tour operator was AWESOME❣️He knew SO MUCH ! He paced the trip and stops so well! The tour coach was very comfortable, the lunch sandwich was very good and big. I’m so glad we chose this tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We love this energy! Calling our Rocky Mountain National Park tour a 'must do' absolutely made our day. Jorge really is AWESOME—his deep knowledge and expert pacing make a world of difference when exploring the high country. Plus, you can't beat taking in the Rockies with a comfortable seat and a giant lunch! Thank you so much for choosing Colorado Sightseer and sharing the love!
Jillian_C, Jul 2026
Great tour of the highlights of Rocky National Park. Emily was a great guide. Could not have asked for a better experience, such a beautiful place.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a magical place, and we are so glad Emily could showcase the absolute best of it for you! Hearing that you couldn't have asked for a better experience is the highest compliment we could receive. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review on TripAdvisor/Viator—we’d love to welcome you back for another mountain adventure anytime!
Janet_L, Jul 2026
Signing up for this tour was easy, and the communication from the owner was outstanding. I got frequent reminders and they even waited until close to the actual tour date to charge my payment just to make sure we were still able to go. Our tour guide, Emily, was a perfect guide for our trip. She was fun, relaxed, professional and easily helped the group to get to know each other.
Emily was a wealth of knowledge regarding the towns and areas we passed through on the trip to the park. She answered questions and had information about even the plants and animals common to the park.
Our day went smoothly and Emily was able to maneuver through our scheduled stops to avoid high traffic areas. We saw so many beautiful things with unobstructed views. We did experience a storm, but we were able to move away from it quickly, as Emily knew the park so well.
We saw several animals, and Emily was so accommodating to stop and let everyone see and get photos.
My husband, son and myself thoroughly enjoyed the day. We highly recommend the tour company and Emily our guide. They are the best!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful, detailed review! As a small business, hearing that our owner communication and flexible booking policies gave you peace of mind before the trip even began means the world to us. We’re thrilled that Emily helped your family make such special memories in the park—her deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna and her knack for bringing a group together are second to none. Thank you for trusting us with your family's mountain day, and we hope to welcome you all back again!
Nathan_V, Jul 2026
We had a great time and a great tour Guide! Anne did a great job of pointing out the different points of interest and brought us to great places with great views! She is very knowledgeable about the Rock Mountain National Park and the Colorado area. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks a ton for the stellar review! Anne is absolute gold when it comes to knowing Colorado inside and out, and finding those top-tier photo spots is her specialty. We're so glad you had such a blast exploring the Rockies with her. Cheers to your next adventure, and thanks for the great shoutout!
Kathleen_S, Jul 2026
Great small tour and nice overview of the park. Well planned with a good use of time. Saw some wildlife.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the review! We intentionally keep our tour groups small so everyone gets a well-paced, personalized overview of the park without ever feeling rushed. We’re thrilled to hear you appreciated the itinerary and that you were able to spot some local wildlife along the way. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!
cxmark, Jul 2026
Great trip! Alex is an excellent guide. He took us to the sights listed on the itinerary. We saw elks and marmot. I would recommend taking the tour and leaving the driving to Colorado Sightseer.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled that Alex made sure you hit every highlight on the itinerary while helping you spot some cool wildlife along the way. Letting someone else handle the mountain driving is definitely the best way to just sit back and take in the views! We really appreciate the recommendation for Colorado Sightseer, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
ivonneak, Jul 2026
This tour was a 10/10, the views, the wild life we encountered along the way, and our tour guide Emily made this a memorable experience.This wasn't just a tour, it was fun! I haven't laughed this much in a long time. I have to commend Emily for her joyful personality, knowledge of the area and being a safe and confident driver. As someone who is afraid of heights having a safe driver is extremely important. Overall I would 100% recommend this tour, it was incredible! "Get off the tundra!" 😂
Response from Host, Jul 2026
A 10/10 rating and a day full of non-stop laughter—it truly doesn't get better than that! We know mountain roads can be intimidating if you're not a fan of heights, so we’re especially glad Emily’s confident driving kept you feeling totally safe and relaxed. From the stunning wildlife to the unforgettable jokes (and that classic 'Get off the tundra!' moment 😂), it sounds like an absolute blast. Thank you so much for the wonderful recommendation!
Alice_L, Jul 2026
The mountain views were spectacular. The deli-sandwiches for lunch was very good. They also provided potato chips, chocolate chip cookies,and water refill.
Our guide Klem was very knowledgeable and accommodating. She took and sent pictures for our group.
It was a long day with lots of time on the bus, but Klem did many bathroom breaks. We saw some moose, Elk, chipmunks, and the yellow belly Marmot along the way.
We had 12 people in our van.
It is a good tour to see the Rocky mountain national park if you don't want to drive there on your own.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful review! Spotting moose, elk, chipmunks, and a yellow-bellied marmot sounds like an absolute wildlife jackpot! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the deli lunch and stunning scenery, and that Klem took such great care of the group—from the frequent comfort stops to capturing and sharing photos. Skipping the stress of mountain driving is definitely the best way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park, and we’re so glad our small group setup made for a wonderful day!
Christine_C, Jul 2026
This was a great tour! Christine, our guide, was very knowledgeable and willing to pivot whenever we saw something cool. It is a long day but worth it! We got to stop at all the best spots, saw tons of wildlife but also able to enjoy the quiet moments.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Wow, what an awesome review! Christine is a total rockstar when it comes to rolling with the moment—if there’s a cool wildlife sighting or an unexpected view, she is always ready to pivot so our guests don't miss a thing! A long day flies by when you're having that much fun, and we're so glad you got to check off all the best spots while still enjoying the quiet beauty of the area. I'll make sure Christine sees this shout-out—it will definitely make her day. Safe travels!
Christina_B, Jul 2026
If you’re looking for a fun and informative day trip around Rocky Mountain National Park this is the tour for you.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Appreciate the love! That’s exactly what we aim for with our RMNP run—giving you a killer day trip where you actually get to learn something unique while having a blast out in nature. Thanks for choosing Colorado Sightseer for your mountain day, and whenever you're ready to explore another trail, your seat is waiting for you!
Stephanir_R, Jul 2026
Hands down the best, most informative and well-planned tour I’ve taken. The entire experience was fantastic, from the itinerary to the little touches (snack basket, umbrellas, extra jackets), the lunch provided, and the transportation (an immaculate, comfortable van). Our guide, Will, was organized, friendly, entertaining, and INCREDIBLY knowledgeable. Highly, highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
"Hands down the best"—we might just have to frame this review in the office! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback. We're a bit obsessive about keeping our rides spotless and the snack basket fully loaded, because we want our guests to just kick back and enjoy the ride. Will is an absolute pro who genuinely loves sharing his knowledge without it ever feeling like a dry lecture. We really appreciate the massive recommendation and hope to see you back out on the road with us down the line!
Teresa_S, Jul 2026
Emily is super knowledgeable and makes the trip so much fun!! Plus we saw a huge herd of elk and they were just walking up the middle of the road!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Apparently the local elk missed the memo on traffic laws, but honestly, nobody is complaining about an elk roadblock! That sounds like an absolute core memory right there. Emily is an absolute blast to hang out with and loves dropping cool facts along the way, so we are so glad she made the day standout for you. Appreciate you sharing the love!
Pam_S, Jul 2026
Emily was a great guide. She made sure we saw as many native animal species…didn’t hesitate to turn around…backtrack for one final glimpse. Beautiful mountain scenery.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
That is pure Emily right there! She absolutely hates missing a good wildlife sighting, so pulling a quick U-turn to make sure you got that final look is classic her. Spotting native species against that mountain backdrop is half the fun of heading up into the high country, and we love that she went the extra mile (literally) to make it happen for you. Thanks for rolling with Colorado Sightseer!
Kimkmay, Jul 2026
Great tour with Christine. She made the day very relaxed and enjoyable. We loved that she was just as excited to see the wildlife as we were! Highly recommend taking this tour with Christine and Colorado Sightseeing!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We always say that the magic of the mountains never fades, and we love that Christine gets just as excited to spot wildlife as our guests do—that genuine passion is exactly what makes her such a special guide. We’re thrilled she made your day feel relaxed, fun, and memorable. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to her, and we hope to welcome you back for another safari in the van soon!
Kelly_C, Jul 2026
I would book a tour with this company again in the future. The guide provided a wealth of information.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We love a tour that leaves you with a camera roll full of photos and a head full of great facts! Thank you for taking the time to highlight our guide's extensive knowledge and for trusting us with your future travel plans. Your spot in the van is ready whenever you are—see you next time!
Kelsey_E, Jul 2026
We had a full day RMNP Tour with Chicago Sightseer. Phil was out guide and we had a fantastic time. Phil was helpful informative and funny. We loved seeing so much of the park!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled you had such a great time exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with Phil. We did get a good chuckle out of "Chicago Sightseer"—while we love the Windy City, we’re pretty sure their deep-dish pizza can't quite match the elevation of the Rockies! We are so glad our Colorado Sightseer team gave you such an informative, funny, and memorable day. Come back and see us again soon!
Jamie_B, Jul 2026
This was an amazing tour! Our guide Will was so knowledgeable and fun! The entertainment he provided along with the beautiful views we had was absolutely fabulous! He made sure that we all had the best experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the glowing review! Will is an absolute natural when it comes to guiding, and we love hearing that his fun personality and entertainment perfectly matched those absolutely fabulous mountain views. Making sure every single person in the van has the absolute best experience is exactly what he does best. We will be sure to pass your kind words along to him!
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