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Rocky Mtn/Timber Creek
Overview
Timber Creek Campground serves as a serene gateway to the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Situated near the headwaters of the Colorado River, this campground offers a classic national park experience characterized by rugged beauty and an open landscape. Because a significant portion of the forest was cleared due to pine beetles, visitors enjoy unobstructed mountain views and plenty of sunlight throughout the day. It is an ideal base for those wanting to explore the quieter, less crowded side of one of America's most iconic parks.
Location & Surroundings
The park is perfectly positioned along Trail Ridge Road, just eight miles north of the Grand Lake entrance. Its location provides immediate access to the high-alpine tundra and the lush Kawuneeche Valley. The surrounding area is a prime habitat for local wildlife, and it is common to see elk or moose grazing near the campsites during the early morning hours. The sounds of the nearby river and the crisp mountain air create a peaceful atmosphere that defines the high-country Colorado experience.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional national park facility, Timber Creek focuses on a rustic experience rather than resort-style luxuries. This is a dry camping destination with no electric or water hookups, making it perfect for self-contained RVs under 30 feet in length. The sites include a picnic table and a fire ring for evening gatherings. Essential facilities include potable water stations and flush toilets during the peak season. There is also a seasonal dump station available for RVers, ensuring that basic needs are met while maintaining a deep connection to the wilderness.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Exploration starts right at your doorstep with the Holzwarth Historic Site, a preserved 1920s guest ranch just a short drive away. Hikers can access numerous trails that lead into the backcountry or follow the Colorado River. Driving the iconic Trail Ridge Road offers breathtaking overlooks at elevations exceeding 12,000 feet. For those seeking water activities, the town of Grand Lake is nearby, offering boating, fishing, and a charming downtown area filled with local shops and dining options.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for travelers who value natural scenery over modern conveniences. It is an excellent choice for RVers with smaller rigs or campervans who enjoy being fully immersed in the national park system. Wildlife photographers and outdoor enthusiasts will find the location unbeatable for its proximity to active animal corridors and trailheads. If you prefer the sound of the wind through the valley and the sight of the Milky Way over neon lights, Timber Creek is your ideal Colorado retreat.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Chad Van Iddekinge
Very nice campground on west side of RMNP. Many sites have good views and privacy. We were happy with site C63. As with most national park campgrounds, the bathrooms leave a lot to be desired. Great location near some nice hikes and Grand Lake, which is a very nice town.
Ryan Young
We stayed the first week of October 2025 at campsite 86 and location wise, we loved it. A few things worth noting. The bathrooms here could use an update. The cleanliness was a bit subpar when comparing to other campgrounds in National Parks and you should know there’s no hot water or heat in their restrooms. It may have been the time of year, but when the sun hits your site in the morning we attracted a ton of huge flies when we cooked, while when we returned before sunset we were met with a ton of little flies swarming our campsite until the sun went down. It could’ve been our site (86), but we both mentioned how that would impact the enjoyment level if you planned to spend more time at your campsite. If you’re like us and you’re mainly using it for a place to crash and are exploring the park from sunrise to sunset, this place is great. Firewood was $11 a bundle here and burned much better than the bundle we had purchased the first night in nearby Grand Lake. The elk rut was ongoing, so it was cool to hear them throughout the night and the nearby meadows to this campground will give you plenty of close encounters with them in the early morning hours and hours around sunset. It was about a 1.5 hour drive to Glacier Gorge on the eastern side of the park.
Jill Hummels
Timber Creek is a hidden gem on the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. It has easy access to the Colorado River headwaters, to wildlife -- including the elk rut in the fall -- as well as beautiful hiking trails. Campsites are in good shape, although restroom facilities are a little dated. Timber Creek is a great way to avoid the congestion of the eastern side of the park.
Carol M
We absolutely loved our stay at Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park! It was on the western side but still gave us access to drive to the eastern side at Estes Park. Although we had a camping reservation and could come and go as we wished at RMNP, we still had to get a Timed Reservation entry pass (only $2) online the day before we wanted to visit Bear Lake on the eastern side, which we are so thankful we did! We loved our special camping site in the B loop with our small teardrop camper because it was private and close to the bathrooms. We could hear the Elk making their mating calls during the twilight hours and it was so amazing to hear over and over! We did see some Elk near our campsite too! There are several hiking trails nearby that are worth visiting, like Coyote Trail and Holzwarth Historic Site. There are plenty of Elk and Moose grazing nearby, too! We loved our time here and had a great camp host, Hunter! They also have firewood you can buy for $11 a bundle from 5-7 PM nightly, so you can always have a campfire in the evenings. It was only 9 miles from Grand Lake, so we could make trips there for lunch or to spend the day walking in their historic downtown, which was great. Highly recommend Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Ryan Kelley
The one bathroom in the middle is newer and cleaner compared to the two on either side of it. The campsites around the middle seemed to garner more privacy with trees versus the more southern spots with only a few trees. It’s a good spot for a quick nights set up and sleep. It’s a long drive into the depths of the park.
