About Our Campus
In the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, our campus is a world apart where students commune with music and nature while benefiting from close mentorship from a master teacher.
Surrounded by pines, aspens, and a stream, our 17 acres provide a stunning backdrop for performances, rehearsals, reflection, dining, residence and friendships.
Founded in 1942, we are one of the oldest music programs in the country. Our campus is on a rustic 20th century American homestead, with many of our structures built near the turn of the century.
Where we are
We are situated at the base of Longs Peak (14,260 ft) on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park, just off of Highway 7 in Colorado and only 15 minutes from Estes Park.
Our campus is in the forest just minutes from the Longs Peak trailhead, at 9,200 ft above sea level. The temperature varies greatly, averaging between 45 degrees at night in June and 85 degrees during the day in July.
Students often see deer, elk, and rabbits on campus and are greeted by birdsong in the mornings. Visit the Longs Peak webcam to see our environment.
Lodging
Students are housed in rustic, bunk-style cabins that hold between 3 and 10 students. Cabins include dressers to store clothes and space heaters to stay warm at night. Bedding is available to rent, and bathhouses with hot showers are just a short walk away from our cabins. Youth students will have counselors residing with them, and Adult students have the option to stay in a private cabin with a bathroom.
To see photos and detailed information about each building on campus, visit our Campus Gallery.
Concerts
During their program, students perform on campus and at local venues for the community. Our concerts are open to the public and live-streamed on our Events Page. Our faculty also perform in a Music in the Mountains concert series over the course of the summer.
Food
Each summer, we hire full-time, professional kitchen staff who work in our Dining Hall at the center of campus. Our chefs make delicious food and are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions.
Wi-Fi & Cell Service
In the Rockies, we are out of cell service range. Our centralized wi-fi is strong enough to stay in touch with friends and family, but not to stream movies.
Our students take this chance to disconnect and focus on improving their musicianship, being immersed in nature, and interacting with peers.
Student Employment
We offer employment on campus to qualified College Intensive students for counselor, work-study, and camp assistant positions. Find out more here.
Music and Instruction
Our campus includes 22 practice cabins with 16 grand pianos, and students will be assigned a practice room upon arrival. College Intensive students will be sent their music ahead of time, and other programs will receive their music on the first day.
Our acclaimed faculty are an integral part of the RRM experience, and our close-knit campus gives students plenty of opportunities to interact with faculty in private lessons and group coaching. All faculty and staff are thoroughly background-checked before being hired.
Student Activities
Students spend their time in rehearsals, practice cabins, private lessons, eating meals with peers, and hiking nearby.
On campus, students can be found relaxing by our stream, spotting hummingbirds, reading a book on a bench outside, and chatting with new friends in our dining hall and lodge.
In past years, students have regularly visited Estes Park, climbed Longs Peak, spotted moose at Lily Lake, and explored the Rockies.
(Note: only College Intensive & Adult Program students are allowed to leave campus if they choose. Students are responsible for their own transportation and activities off-campus.)
Estes Park, CO
Our closest town is Estes Park, which neighbors Rocky Mountain National Park and is an international tourist destination. A small mountain town that floods with visitors over the summer, Estes Park has lots to offer for food, drink, shopping, and entertainment.
Try local ice cream or fudge in downtown Estes, or take a tour on foot of the historic western town. The Estes Park Tramway is a convenient way to get a great view of the area, or visit the infamous Stanley Hotel.
Hiking
Rocky Mountain National Park covers over 265,000 acres, including 355 miles of hiking trails. It is home to all manner of wildlife, including pika, marmots, rabbits, deer, elk, moose, bear, mountain lions, and over 282 species of bird. Our campus is located 1 mile from the trailhead to Longs Peak, which is the tallest mountain in the park at 14,259 ft.
Hikes Nearby
Lily Lake Trail is a short, scenic loop around the lake.
Estes Cone is a moderately difficult trail up to a gorgeous summit with a clear view of Longs Peak.
Twin Sisters Summit is a difficult hike up to a peak overlooking Estes Park and the eastern side of RMNP.
Chasm Lake is a very difficult trail on the way to Longs Peak that ends with a scramble up to an alpine lake rimmed by mountains.
Bear Lake
The most popular destination in the park, Bear Lake is a gorgeous mountain lake located in the heart of RMNP, and there are a number of other lakes within hiking distance from the trailhead. Bear Lake Parking Lot usually fills up early in the morning, so there is also a free shuttle located on Bear Lake Road to take visitors to the trailhead.
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road follows the ridgeline of the Rocky Mountains. This road is popular for scenic drives and watching the sunset.
If you have specific questions about housing needs, dietary restrictions, or our location, please email us at rrmc@rockyridge.org.