Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground vs Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: side-by-side comparison
Electric hookups vs no hookups · RVs to 40 ft vs 30 ft.
Verdict: Pick Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground for park entry included in the reservation (RMNP timed entry) and electric hookups (20/30/50-amp listed).
National park campground vs national park campground. Official facts link to their source; listing facts say so; anything nobody publishes is marked as not listed. Distances are straight-line.
| Attribute | Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground | Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | National Park Service (Rocky Mountain National Park) | National Park Service (Rocky Mountain National Park, west side) |
| Official RV limit | 40 ft (NPS) | 30 ft (NPS) |
| Guest rating | 4.0 (1312 reviews, Recreation.gov) | 4.0 (413 reviews, Recreation.gov) |
| Booking | Summer: reservations required on Recreation.gov, up to 6 months ahead for some sites; no same-day sales. Switches to winter first come, first served at 1 p.m. on October 19, 2026 — the only park campground open in winter (Loops A sites 1–62, B, C and E) (NPS) | Reservations required in summer on Recreation.gov (877-444-6777); some sites open up to 6 months ahead, others on short-term release. No same-day sales — sites sell out in advance (Timber Creek closed for the season on October 5, 2026) (NPS) |
| Official fees | Summer $35/night standard non-electric, $55 electric; winter $30 non-electric, $55 electric. Senior and Access pass holders get 50% off (NPS) | Summer $35/night standard site (NPS) |
| Price | Lowest listed rate $30/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) | Lowest listed rate $35/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) |
| Max rig length | Official limit 40 ft (NPS max RV/trailer length for Moraine Park) (NPS) | Official limit 30 ft (NPS max RV/trailer length for Timber Creek) (NPS) |
| Hookups & power | 44 electric sites (listing) | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) |
| Electric service | 49 electric sites (20/30/50-amp) in Loops B and C; no water or sewer hookups (NPS) | No electric hookups (NPS) |
| Park entry | Summer reservation includes timed entry for the whole park, including the Bear Lake Road corridor, from 1 p.m. on arrival day and all day on checkout day (May 22–October 18, 2026 season) (NPS) | Reservation includes timed entry for the park except the Bear Lake Road corridor, from 1 p.m. on arrival day and all day on checkout day (NPS) |
| Pull-through / back-in | 0 pull-through, 101 back-in (listing) | 9 pull-through, 85 back-in (listing) |
| Road & site access | 13 paved, 243 gravel site driveways (listing) | 98 paved site driveways; 11 hike-in sites (listing) |
| Water | Drinking water year-round; seasonal dump station (NPS); Water at 50 sites (listing) | Seasonal dump station (NPS); Water at 98 sites (listing) |
| Generators | Generators allowed 7:30–10 a.m. and 4–8:30 p.m.; not allowed in Loop D (NPS) | Generators allowed 7:30–10 a.m. and 4–8:30 p.m. (NPS) |
| Quiet hours | Quiet hours 10 p.m.–6 a.m., including generators (NPS) | Quiet hours 10 p.m.–6 a.m., including generators (NPS) |
| Pets | Pets allowed in campgrounds on a leash 6 ft or shorter; not allowed on trails (NPS); Allowed (listing) | Pets allowed in campgrounds on a leash 6 ft or shorter; not allowed on trails (NPS); Allowed (listing) |
| Bear & food storage | Shared food storage lockers (about 3×4×3 ft, can't be locked) in every park campground; store all food, coolers and toiletries in a locker or a closed, locked hard-sided vehicle (NPS) | Shared food storage lockers (about 3×4×3 ft, can't be locked) in every park campground; store all food, coolers and toiletries in a locker or a closed, locked hard-sided vehicle (NPS) |
| Season | Summer (reservations) May 21–October 19, 2026; winter first come, first served from 1 p.m. October 19, 2026 — the only park campground open in winter (NPS) | Summer only: May 21–October 5, 2026 (NPS) |
| Cell signal | Cell reception: yes (NPS campground listing) (NPS); Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 2 (492 reports), AT&T 2 (319 reports), T-Mobile 3 (214 reports) (listing) | Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 1 (138 reports), AT&T 1 (105 reports), T-Mobile 0 (104 reports) (listing) |
| Shade | 141 of 172 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) | 0 of 98 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) |
| Stay limits | 8 people and 2 vehicles per site; 7 nights total in park campgrounds May 1–October 15, plus 14 nights November 1–April 30. Check-in 1 p.m., check-out 12 p.m. (NPS); 7 nights max (listing) | 8 people and 2 vehicles per site; 7 nights total in park campgrounds May 1–October 15, plus 14 nights November 1–April 30. Check-in 1 p.m., check-out 12 p.m. (NPS); 7 nights max (listing) |
| Getting there | 4.3 mi from downtown Estes Park · 2.2 mi to Rocky Mountain National Park (straight-line, not driving) (listing) | On the park's west side near Grand Lake, across Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park (NPS); 17.3 mi from downtown Estes Park · 11.7 mi to Bear Lake (straight-line, not driving) (listing) |
Questions campers ask
Which is closer to downtown Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground or Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground is closer: 4.3 miles from downtown Estes Park versus 17.3 miles for Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground (straight-line distances, not driving).
Can I reserve a site at Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground and Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: Summer: reservations required on Recreation.gov, up to 6 months ahead for some sites; no same-day sales. Switches to winter first come, first served at 1 p.m. on October 19, 2026 — the only park campground open in winter (Loops A sites 1–62, B, C and E) (NPS). Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: Reservations required in summer on Recreation.gov (877-444-6777); some sites open up to 6 months ahead, others on short-term release. No same-day sales — sites sell out in advance (Timber Creek closed for the season on October 5, 2026) (NPS).
Which has hookups for an RV?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: 49 electric sites (20/30/50-amp) in Loops B and C; no water or sewer hookups (NPS). Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: No electric hookups (NPS).
How long an RV fits at Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground vs Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: Official limit 40 ft (NPS max RV/trailer length for Moraine Park) (NPS). Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: Official limit 30 ft (NPS max RV/trailer length for Timber Creek) (NPS). Always confirm the specific site's length before booking.
Is there water at Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground and Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: Drinking water year-round; seasonal dump station (NPS); Water at 50 sites (listing). Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: Seasonal dump station (NPS); Water at 98 sites (listing).
Is there cell service at Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground or Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: Cell reception: yes (NPS campground listing) (NPS); Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 2 (492 reports), AT&T 2 (319 reports), T-Mobile 3 (214 reports) (listing). Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 1 (138 reports), AT&T 1 (105 reports), T-Mobile 0 (104 reports) (listing). Signal varies by carrier and site.
How do guests rate Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground and Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground?
Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground is rated 4.0 from 1312 reviews on Recreation.gov; Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground is rated 4.0 from 413 reviews on Recreation.gov.
Go to the campgrounds
- Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground: live availability, sites and rules
- Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground: live availability, sites and rules
Related guides
- Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds
- Camping near Trail Ridge Road
- Tent camping near Estes Park
- Electric hookups & amps near Estes Park
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Other comparisons for Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground
- Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground vs Rocky Mountain National Park Aspenglen Campground — 17.3 vs 6 mi from downtown Estes Park (straight-line)
- Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground vs Rocky Mountain National Park Glacier Basin Campground — RVs to 30 ft vs 35 ft · 17.3 vs 5 mi from downtown Estes Park (straight-line)