7 Places to Catch a Rocky Mountain National Park Sunset

Rocky Mountain National Park has plenty of breathtaking vistas that make great places to watch sunset.

I’ve rounded up a list of some of the most stunning western-facing views in Rocky Mountain National Park. Choose from the spots below so you don’t have to hope you stumble upon a place with the sunset in view.

Here are 7 places to catch a sunset in Rocky Mountain National Park plus tips to make sure you have the perfect experience.

Tips to Watch Sunset in Rocky Mountain National Park

Check sunset time and arrive to your preferred viewing point a bit ahead of time to snag a spot and make sure you don’t miss some of the best colors.
If you’re watching from one of the trails suggested below, bring a headlamp or flashlight and warm layers. It’s cold at high altitude and you may get caught in an evening rain, which is common in the summer.
Check out where each location is on this map. The suggestions are listed from the east side to the west side of the national park.

7 Places to Catch a Rocky Mountain National Park Sunset

Moraine Park

Moraine Park can be found along the Bear Lake Road corridor on the east side of the national park. It’s a great spot to see sunset if you’re staying at Moraine Park Campground.

Even if you don’t have a timed entry reservation to enter this section of the park, you can see sunset here since reservations are only needed until 6pm during peak visitation months. (Sunset was around 7:30pm when we visited in August).

Consider meandering along the South Lateral Moraine Trail, which runs along the southern edge of Moraine Park, for views of the meadow and the sun setting behind the surrounding mountains.

Sheep Lakes

Sheep Lakes is located along Fall River Road about 5 minutes past the park’s Fall River entrance. This location is a good choice for sunset if you’re staying at the nearby Aspenglen Campground.

The Sheep Lakes pullout has enough parking for about 30 cars. The parking lot faces southwest so you can watch the sun set right from your vehicle. Or, you can stretch your legs along the sidewalk that runs the length of the parking lot.

Either way, you’ll enjoy views of the sun setting over this small water feature and the hills just beyond it.

Forest Canyon Overlook

Forest Canyon Overlook is along Trail Ridge Road, the highway that runs between the east and west sides of Rocky Mountain National Park. This overlook is about a 30 minute drive west of the Beaver Meadows entrance.

Forest Canyon Overlook offers spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the green valley below it.

You can watch the sun set over this gorgeous scenery from the parking lot or from the viewpoint at the end of the short trail.

This is a popular spot in the park, but we had minimal competition for a parking spot on a rainy Sunday evening.

Rock Cut

The Rock Cut parking area is also along Trail Ridge Road.

It’s about a 5 minute drive west of the Forest Canyon Overlook so you’ll get a similar view for sunset at this spot. Some people also like to witness sunset reflecting off of Longs Peak through the break in Rock Cut.

You can watch sunset from one of Rocky Mountain’s easy trails – the 1-mile roundtrip Tundra Communities Trail – or from the parking lot. Walking along the trail will bring you a beautiful 360-degree view.

Bonus: there are bathrooms at Rock Cut so you don’t need to risk losing your parking space if you’re waiting a long time for sunset.

Gore Range Overlook

Gore Range Overlook is at the mid-point of Trail Ridge Road about a mile east of the Alpine Visitor Center.

Here at 12,000 feet above sea level, a wide open view of the Gore Range and Never Summer Range await you.

There is a parking lot at the overlook with about 15 parking spots which faces southwest. Enjoy the view of the setting sun from your vehicle or walk along the sidewalk at the edge of the lot.

Alpine Visitor Center

The Alpine Visitor Center is another stop along Trail Ridge Road.

This visitor center is at the highest elevation of any visitor center in the entire National Park System at an elevation around 11,800 feet.

There is a café and souvenir shop here but the visitor center closes at 5pm. However, there are separate restrooms that are still available even in the evening.

If you’re up for the high elevation, I’d recommend the short climb up the Alpine Ridge Trail (pictured above). You’ll get beautiful sweeping views of sunset up at the top.

The Alpine Visitor Center has one of the larger parking areas of the spots on this list. It may be a good backup option for sunset if one of the nearby options are full.

Farview Curve

Farview Curve is the westernmost overlook along Trail Ridge Road.

This is the closest overlook to Timber Creek Campground. We saw a beautiful sunset from the campground, but the view from Farview Curve is far more stunning.

At Farview Curve you’ll take in spectacular views of the Never Summer Mountain Range and the Kawuneeche Valley.

The parking area at this overlook has enough space for about 15 cars, but since most visitors stay on the east side of the park you’ll likely have plenty of space by sunset.

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As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.