Rocky Mountain National Park has 250 wilderness campsites spread across a terrain of towering peaks, alpine lakes and beautiful meadows. Its backcountry is a backpacker’s heaven and offers more than 355 miles of trails to choose from. Here’s a checklist to help you plan your trip into the backcountry.
The following list is designed for a non-guided backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. (For information about visiting the park, see our guide.) The list includes some environment-specific options for the park’s backcountry. If you’re going with a commercial group, check with the guide company to see what items they provide. REI also offers guided trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, perfect for those who want a true adventure but don’t want to worry about the details!
Included in this list are the Ten Essential Systems you should have on every backcountry trip: navigation; sun protection; insulation; illumination; first-aid supplies; fire starter; repair kit and tools; nutrition; hydration; emergency shelter. To learn more, see our Ten Essentials article.
Equipment
- Backpacking pack (big enough for a bear-resistant container) and raincover
- Small daypack (optional)
- Tent with guylines and repair sleeve
- Tent footprint (optional)
- Sleeping bag (15°–29°F or suitable for the season you go)
- Waterproof stuff sack for your sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Whistle (plus signaling mirror)
- Multifunction watch with altimeter (altimeter feature is optional)
- Knife or multi-tool
- Compass
- GPS (optional)
- Map(s) and route description or guidebook
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Microspikes or crampons (for mountaineering or for high alpine areas during shoulder seasons)
- Ice axe (for mountaineering or for high alpine areas during shoulder seasons)
- LED headlamp with extra batteries
- Water treatment system and backup
- Stove, fuel and repair kit (fires are prohibited in the backcountry unless you’re staying in a wood fire site with visible metal fire ring, using dead and down wood only)
- Matches or lighter
- Cookset, dishes, bowls, utensils, cups (measuring/drinking)
- Bear-resistant container (Required in backcountry from May 1–October 31 for park backcountry areas below treeline and in the Boulder Field of Longs Peak, due to recurring wildlife incidents)
- Repair kits for mattress; duct tape strips
- Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)
Clothing and Footwear
Because the base elevation in Rocky is above 7,000 ft., all backpacking trips will take you into the high country where the average temperature at night drops into in the 40s. It’s not uncommon to encounter snowfall at higher elevations. If you’re camping in the backcountry, be sure to bring insulated clothing.
You also need to be prepared for rainy weather in all parts of the park because the weather patterns are highly variable. When you head into the backcountry, rain gear is a must.
- Wicking, quick-drying underwear
- Wicking, quick-drying sports bra
- Wicking, quick-drying long underwear
- Wicking, quick-drying T-shirt and long-sleeve shirt
- Quick-drying pants (for added tick protection) or shorts
- Fleece jacket or vest, or insulated jacket or vest
- Fleece pants
- Midweight down or synthetic jacket
- Waterproof/breathable rain jacket
- Waterproof/breathable rain pants
- Bandana or Buff
- Sun-shielding hat or ball cap (especially important with Rocky’s high altitude)
- Winter hat
- Warm gloves or mittens
- Hiking boots or shoes suited to terrain
- Socks (synthetic or wool) plus spares
- Gaiters (for added tick protection)
- Sandals (for fording streams and relaxing in camp)
- Swimwear (optional)
- Change of clothes to leave in car
Personal Items
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles (3) or hydration reservoirs
- Sunscreen (especially important with Rocky’s high altitude)
- Lip balm (SPF rated, especially important with Rocky’s high altitude)
- Toothbrush with cover and biodegradable toothpaste
- Biodegradable soap
- Toilet paper
- Sanitation trowel
- Hand sanitizer
- Women’s hygiene items
- Personal wipes
- Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Medications
- Plastic zip-top bags
- Odor-blocking storage bags (optional, to cleanly stow trash)
- Insect repellent
- Bear spray (optional)
- First-aid kit (see our First-Aid Checklist)
- Quick-drying towel
- Camera or helmet cam and extra memory cards (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Cell phone (don’t rely on service and switch off international roaming)
- Satellite communicator / personal locator beacon (optional)
- Field guide(s); star identifier (optional)
- Journal, pen and e-reader or reading material (optional)
- Fishing gear (optional)
- Fishing permit (optional; see the park’s fishing page for requirements)
- Credit card; small amount of cash
- Wilderness permit
- National Parks pass (yearly pass available from REI.com)
- Trip itinerary left with friend and under car seat
Food
Quantity varies depending on activity and length of trip.
- Breakfast (oatmeal, granola, freeze-dried breakfast, etc.)
- Lunch (bagels, summer sausage, cheese, smoked salmon, etc.)
- Dinner (pasta, couscous, rice, freeze-dried dinner, etc.)
- Snacks (cookies, GORP, jerky, candy bars, dried fruit, etc.)
- Energy gels
- Energy bars
- Electrolyte replacement drink mix
- Extra day’s supply of food