Aspenglen Campground

Overview

Aspenglen is the east-side, summer-season campground that feels tucked into the forest yet stays remarkably convenient to town and the park’s marquee drives. It’s a compact, well-run base camp near the Fall River Entrance, with clean facilities and a mellow, woodsy vibe. Expect frequent wildlife cameos and easy logistics for exploring both Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.

Campsites & Layout

There are 52 sites, including 13 tent-only options and a handful of short walk-to tent sites that land you in quieter, more secluded nooks. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and a tent pad. Two sites are ADA-designated. Generators are only allowed in Loop C during limited hours (7:30–10 a.m. and 4–8:30 p.m.).

Amenities (and what’s not here)

You’ll find flush toilets and seasonal drinking water. Food storage lockers are provided. What you won’t find: hookups, showers, laundry, or a dump station. If you need to dump tanks, plan on using the facility at Moraine Park Campground. Firewood isn’t sold on-site—pick it up in Estes Park and avoid hauling wood long distances.

Reservations, Timing & Stay Limits

Aspenglen is reservation-only (no first-come sites). Inventory releases are staggered—some six months out on a rolling window, others two weeks and one week prior—so set alerts and pounce when your window opens. Check-in is after 1 p.m.; check-out is by noon. Summer stays are capped at 7 nights total across all RMNP campgrounds.

A nice perk: your campsite reservation includes a “Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road” vehicle permit tied to your stay, with initial entry allowed starting at 1 p.m. on day one. If you want to enter earlier that day, arrive outside timed-entry hours or secure a separate timed-entry permit.

RV Notes

RVs and trailers up to a total of 30 feet are allowed, but space is tight for larger rigs. With no hookups and no on-site dump, come topped up and plan your dump stop at Moraine Park. Portable showers aren’t allowed.

Setting & Wildlife

Sites sit among Douglas-fir, lodgepole, ponderosa, and Engelmann spruce with pockets of meadow and seasonal wildflowers. Fall River is nearby, and wildlife is part of the experience—elk and mule deer are common; you may also encounter moose, black bear, coyote, and even bighorn sheep. Use the lockers, keep a clean camp, and give animals plenty of space.

Nearby & What to Do

This is an easy hop to Estes Park for supplies and dining, and you’re positioned perfectly for scenic drives and trail access across the park’s 350+ miles of routes. It’s a great launch pad for sunrise patrols, evening wildlife cruises, and day hikes on the east side.

Best Time to Visit

Summer season only, and it books fast—midweek stays typically mean a little more breathing room. For photography and wildlife, aim for dawn and dusk light. If you’re arriving on your first day and want to enter the park before 1 p.m., plan around timed-entry hours or grab a separate permit.