Because Rocky is such a vast and varied national park, it's difficult to say what the highlights are; it's hard to identify the things that every park visitor must see and do. However, it is worth noting several of the park's major attractions. One must take a trip over Trail Ridge Road, a spectacularly scenic drive through the park that goes across the Continental Divide and above the tree line -- into a land of alpine tundra that most of us have never seen. Another must-see is Longs Peak, the park's highest mountain, which can be seen from a variety of locations. There is an especially good (and easily accessible) view of the peak from the Moraine Park Museum.
For many people, the highlight of a park visit is a trip to one of its numerous mountain lakes, whose beautiful reflections of the surrounding forests and mountains are often enhanced by snowcapped peaks. Practically any of the park's lakes will do, although we particularly enjoy the views across the easy-to-get-to Sprague and Bear lakes.
It's our hope that every visitor to the park gets to see some wildlife, particularly the larger animals such as elk, deer, moose (on the west side), and the park's symbol -- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. What you'll see depends in part on the time of year you visit and whether you'll be hiking or staying close to the roadways, so check with rangers on the best spots and time of day for your particular circumstances.
