Car Camp at Timber Creek Campground

This campground just 10 miles north of Grand Lake is a prime example of the amazing campgrounds you can find in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located along the Colorado River, Timber Creek has 98 campsites that are all first-come-first-serve. If you're on top of it and show up at a decent time, you're bound to get a site. It's still a National Park so get there as early as you can.

My personal opinion is that the West Side is the best side. Besides the fact that it is less crowded than the East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park there are great trails here too! One of my favorite hikes is to Big Meadows or continue past the meadows to Granite Falls(50' cascading waterfall).

Moose and elk frequently pass through this site so make sure you have your camera ready! You will also find mule deer, black bear, fox, and coyote to name a few.

If you trip happens to fall near a new moon keep your eye out for the Milky Way. I recommend taking a nap in the day and go for a night hike. The Milky Way photos in the ENO hammock and with the flashlight over the Colorado River were taken at the Bowen/Baker Trailhead(1.8 miles from the campground). I use an app called MoonCalendar and plan my trips around moonless nights.

I ran into an issue where I drove 3 hours from Denver and planned on staying at Timber Creek Campground but it was full. I was in a bit of a panic but remembered that Stillwater Pass was located just pass Grand Lake which had dispersed camping. Go to my profile and check out my writeup on Stillwater Pass. If you have the same issue I had, your weekend will not be ruined!

Note: there was a pine beetle outbreak in the area so some of the campsites lack the desired amount of shade. It may be wise to bring a canopy of sorts to provide your group some shade if you end up in one of these sites.