Big Horn Sheep and Elk live in the high, mountainous regions of Rocky Mountain Park. The ever-present chipmunk is also a park resident. Rocky Mountain was established as a national park in 1915. Popular summer activities include driving tours, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, biking, skiing and snowshoeing. There are 355 miles of trail in the park, ranging from easy to strenuous.
Horseback rides are also available, and cost extra.
Trail ridge road is the most popular road for a driving tour of the park. It traverses the length of the park and rises to 12,183 feet. Ten miles of road are above the tree line. The road opens Memorial Day and closes in mid-October. The high elevation of Rocky Mountain Park means that even summer visitors should bring warm clothing for the cool nights.