Although not part of the National Park, this beautiful Rec Area shares a large border with one and your Parks Pass will grant your admission. Once inside the park, there are several parking lots and established picnic areas where one can take in the view and perhaps glimpse some elusive wildlife, including Colorado moose.

Trails from the upper parking areas run deep into the park and even have access to the south side of RMNP. There are no 14er's here, but some trails will take you atop 12 and 13 thousand foot peaks. Others follow the glacial streams and lakes uphill to their sources at the foot of the continental divide.

Pawnee campground is first come first serve, but this is also a great day trip spot, as it is closer to Boulder and Denver than Rocky Mountain. Best to get there early: upper lots fill up around 7 a.m. on the weekends and thunderstorms frequently roll in early in the summer afternoons.