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Explore Rocky Mountain National Park at your own pace with a GPS-triggered, self-guided audio tour. Turn your smartphone into a personal guide and listen to location-based stories as you drive through mountain passes and alpine lakes.
Free Cancellation Explore Rocky Mountain National Park with a self-guided audio tour covering history, tribal legends, and top vistas.
Free Cancellation Discover the park’s high-alpine scenery and wildlife with an automatic audio guide that plays as you drive.
Free Cancellation Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park with an audio guide covering the peaks, lakes, and local history.
Free Cancellation Explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Garden of the Gods at your own pace with two self-guided driving tours.
New A GPS-guided driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park covering Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, and local history.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Rocky Mountain — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park at your own pace with a GPS-activated self-guided audio tour. As you drive through high-altitude passes and lush valleys, your smartphone transforms into a personal narrator, sharing fascinating stories about the park's ecology, history, and wildlife.
Climb above 12,000 feet on the highest continuous paved road in the United States. The audio guide will point out sweeping panoramic views of the alpine tundra and rugged peaks as you navigate the winding highway.
Park the car and take this highly popular hike past a stunning chain of three alpine lakes. Enjoy breathtaking views of jagged Hallett Peak reflecting in the still waters, surrounded by lush pine forests.
Learn exactly where to look for majestic moose, elk, and bighorn sheep. The audio tour guides you through prime viewing spots like Coyote Valley while teaching you about the animals' habits.
Take an easy, flat 0.75-mile stroll around Sprague Lake for spectacular mountain reflections. It is a peaceful alternative to busier areas and perfect for families wanting a quiet morning walk.
Step back in time in the scenic Kawuneeche Valley on the park's west side. The narration brings to life the rugged pioneering settlers who built this early 20th-century trout lodge.
Before purchasing your self-guided audio tour, it is important to understand how these smartphone apps work and what park logistics you need to handle separately.
These are GPS-powered smartphone applications that automatically play stories and directions as you drive. You do not need to meet an in-person guide, and you can start, pause, or resume the tour whenever you like.
Purchasing an audio tour does not cover your park admission. You must separately buy a valid entrance pass, such as the $30 1-day vehicle pass, and pay any applicable non-resident fees.
From May 22 through mid-October, you must secure a timed entry reservation via Recreation.gov to enter the park during peak hours. You will need to book this well in advance of your trip.
Cell service inside the park is virtually nonexistent. You absolutely must download the tour app and the specific tour data over strong Wi-Fi before heading into the mountains.
You only need to buy one audio tour per car, making it a very budget-friendly option. Just connect your phone to your vehicle's stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or an AUX cable so everyone can hear.
Most of these audio tours never expire. If your travel plans change or you encounter bad weather, you can simply use the tour on a different day or even a future trip to Colorado.
If you change your mind before downloading or using the app, most tour providers offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your planned departure date.
| Action Tour Guide Audio Tour | GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Tour | Shaka Guide Audio Tour | Multi-Park Bundle Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Format | GPS Audio App | GPS Audio App | GPS Audio App | GPS Audio App |
| Best For | Learning about park history and Ute legends | Location-based tips and flexible itineraries | Turn-by-turn navigation with local music | Extended Colorado road trips |
| Includes | Lifetime access, offline map, text transcripts | 135 audio points, free updates, trip planners | Activity recommendations, offline map, music | Rocky Mountain and Garden of the Gods tours |
| Price from | $16.99 | $19.99 | $15.99 | $24.99 |
Park Hours: Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting.
Information Office: Open year-round. During the summer, hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. In the winter, hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekends.
Seasonal Road Closures: Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are completely closed to through travel from November through April due to heavy winter snow and hazardous conditions.
By Car: The park's eastern entrance is about 60 miles (a 90-minute drive) from Denver International Airport (DEN). Take the E-470 toll road to I-25 North, then Highway 66 West to Lyons, and follow Highway 36 directly into Estes Park.
By Bus: The Bustang bus service runs on weekends and holidays from the Table Mesa Park-N-Ride in Boulder. Tickets are $15.00 round-trip and drop you off at the Park & Ride Transit Hub inside the park. The ticket conveniently includes a timed-entry permit.
Summer (June - August): The best months for general visiting. Trail Ridge Road is fully open, wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather is ideal for hiking. However, this is also the most crowded time, requiring timed entry reservations.
Fall (September - October): Highly recommended for witnessing the golden aspen foliage and hearing the spectacular elk bugling during their mating season.
Winter (November - April): The most challenging time to visit. Many high-elevation trails require snowshoes, and major roads are closed. It is beautiful for cross-country skiing but limits driving tours.
Wheelchair Rentals: Visitors can reserve a rugged, three-wheeled all-terrain wheelchair at no cost through the Rocky Mountain Conservancy to navigate dirt roads and rocky trails.
Accessible Trails: The park offers several accessible trails with minimal elevation gain, including Sprague Lake (a 0.75-mile level loop), Lily Lake, West Alluvial Fan, and the Coyote Valley Trail.
Facilities: The park features accessible shuttle buses, designated parking spaces at major trailheads, and 135 concrete picnic tables specifically designed to accommodate wheelchairs.
Food and Water: There are no stores, restaurants, or food services available inside the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitors must bring their own food and enough water for the entire day.
Visitor Centers: The Alpine Visitor Center, located above 12,000 feet on Trail Ridge Road, offers restrooms, snacks, and unique souvenirs during the summer months.
Lodging: There are no hotels located inside the national park. Visitors must stay in nearby gateway communities like Estes Park or Grand Lake, or reserve a spot in one of the park's campgrounds.
Wildlife Distances: It is illegal to approach wildlife. You must stay at least 120 feet away from bears and moose, and at least 75 feet away from elk and bighorn sheep.
You download an app to your smartphone before you arrive. As you drive through the park, the app uses your phone's internal GPS to automatically trigger stories, history, and directions based on your exact location.
No, you do not need cell service while in the park. However, you must download the app and the specific tour data over a strong Wi-Fi connection before you enter the park, as signal drops off completely near the entrance.
No, the audio tour is a separate purchase. You still need to buy a valid park entrance pass, which is typically $30 for a private vehicle, and secure any necessary timed entry reservations.
Yes, from May 22 through mid-October, a timed entry reservation is required to enter the park during peak hours. You must book this through Recreation.gov for a $2 processing fee.
Usually, one purchase provides a password or access code meant for a single device. The most common setup is to download it on one phone and connect that phone to your car's Bluetooth or AUX so everyone can listen.
Trail Ridge Road is a seasonal highway that generally opens in late May and closes by mid-October. Heavy snow and hazardous conditions keep it closed to through traffic during the winter and spring.
Your dog can ride in the car with you and visit paved parking lots or picnic areas. However, pets are strictly prohibited on all hiking trails, tundra, and meadows to protect the local wildlife.
Most of these audio tour apps offer lifetime access with no expiration date. If your plans change, you can simply use the downloaded tour on a different day or save it for a future trip.
You can connect your smartphone to your vehicle's stereo system using Bluetooth, a USB cable, or an AUX cord. Some apps also support Apple CarPlay, though you should check the specific app's details.
No, drones and all unmanned aircraft are strictly prohibited within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. There are no exceptions, even for FAA-licensed operators.
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This self-guided audio tour covers the main highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park, including its alpine lakes, mountain passes, and scenic overlooks. As you drive, you'll hear about the Ute tribe's legends and the influential women who fought to establish the park. The narration provides context for the landscape and points out the best spots for hiking and photography throughout the journey. You only need to purchase one tour for your entire vehicle. After booking, download the Action Tour Guide app and use your provided password to save the tour while you have an internet connection. Once downloaded, the guide works offline using GPS to trigger audio automatically based on your location. Your purchase includes lifetime access, allowing you to use the tour on future trips without an expiration date. Please note that this purchase is for the audio guide only and does not include a park entrance ticket. Be sure to check the National Park Service website for current opening hours and seasonal road closures before you arrive.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This GPS-based audio tour narrates your drive through the national park, automatically playing stories and directions as you reach specific locations. The route covers both famous landmarks and hidden gems, including scenic drives above the treeline into the alpine tundra. Since the app works entirely offline, you can navigate and learn about the landscape without needing a cell signal or WiFi. You have the flexibility to travel at your own pace, using suggested itineraries for half-day or multi-day trips. The tour includes local tips and behind-the-scenes history that help you decide where to stop and what to skip. Each purchase is valid for one vehicle, never expires, and includes all future updates, allowing you to revisit the park as often as you like.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This driving tour turns your smartphone into a narrator as you navigate the winding roads of Rocky Mountain National Park. As you move between high-altitude peaks and alpine lakes, the app triggers stories about the park’s unique geology, ecology, and the wildlife often spotted along the route. It functions as a hands-free guide, providing turn-by-turn directions and historical context while you drive through the park's most famous landscapes. The route includes stops at various scenic overlooks, allowing you to explore the vistas or hike at your own pace. In addition to local history and travel tips, the tour features a curated soundtrack to accompany your journey. Because the itinerary is pre-planned, you can focus on the scenery without worrying about the map. To begin, download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tour content.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This bundle includes two separate driving tours through some of Colorado’s most famous landscapes. In Rocky Mountain National Park, the route takes you to high-elevation viewpoints, snow-covered peaks, and Bear Lake. At Garden of the Gods, you will see unique red sandstone formations, including Montezuma Tower and Balanced Rock. Each purchase covers everyone in your vehicle. To start, download the Audio Tour Guide App by Action and enter your unique password. It is best to download the tours while you have a reliable internet connection so you can use them offline during your drive. The app provides turn-by-turn directions and audio stories that trigger automatically based on your location. Your purchase includes lifetime access, allowing you to use the tours on any future trips. Please note that these tours do not include entrance fees to the parks or attractions. You should check the current operating hours and any vehicle reservation requirements for the parks before you head out.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This self-guided driving tour follows the main routes through Rocky Mountain National Park, including the climb up Trail Ridge Road. At 12,183 feet, this is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, passing through thick evergreen forests before opening up into high-altitude alpine tundra. The route also covers Bear Lake Road, providing direct access to the park's glacial lakes and mountain overlooks. As you drive, the audio automatically triggers stories about the park’s natural and human history. You will learn about the seasonal elk rut, the delicate ecosystems found at different elevations, and the original trails used by the Ute and Arapaho people. With 519 GPS-triggered points, the tour provides context for the landmarks and pullouts you pass along the way. The tour includes over 2.5 hours of audio content and works entirely offline, allowing you to navigate the park without a cell signal. Your purchase grants access for one full year, so you can explore the park at your own pace and revisit your favorite sections as often as you like.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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