<strong>TRAVELER'S CHECK | ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK</strong></p><p><strong>Getting there</strong></p><p>Rocky Mountain National Park is in north-central Colorado, about 70 miles northwest of Denver.</p><p>From Denver, travel north on Interstate 25 to Loveland, then follow U.S. 34 through Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park and the national park. Another route: Exit I-25 at Longmont and follow U.S. 36 west.</p><p>Round-trip, restricted airfare between Kansas City and Denver recently ran from about $110.</p><p><strong>Getting in</strong></p><p>A seven-day vehicle permit costs $20. Individual seven-day passes are $10 and sold to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle and moped riders. Annual passes cost $35.</p><p>If you're planning to visit several national parks in the next year, an America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and permits access to national parks and other federal recreation sites. Call 1-888-ASK-USGSÖ or see store.usgs.gov/passÖ.</p><p>A lifetime senior pass for citizens or permanent residents 62 or older costs $10. Lifetime passes for permanently disabled American citizens are free. </p><p><strong>Getting around</strong></p><p>Free shuttle buses operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 30 along the Bear Lake and Moraine Park loops. The Bear Lake shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes. The Moraine Park shuttle runs every 30 minutes. A hiker shuttle runs hourly from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from the Estes Park Visitors Center. The hiker shuttle season ends Sept. 3.</p><p>For shuttle maps check the Rocky Mountain National Park newspapers available at park visitor centers.</p><p>Trail Ridge Road, the nation's highest continuous paved road, cresting at an elevation of 12,183 feet, has been under construction this summer, often causing traffic delays. The higher parts of the road usually close for the season in mid-October. </p><p><strong>Where to stay</strong></p><p>The Estes Park area is filled with lodges, cabins, condos, hotels, bed-and-breakfast inns and chain motels. For a list, contact the convention and visitors bureau at estesparkcvb.com.</p><p>The Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview Drive, is best-known as the inspiration for Stephen King's classic horror novel The Shining. It was built in 1909 by F.O. Stanley, inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile. 138 rooms and suites from $169 in mid-September. Daily ghost tours are offered for $10 a person. 800-976-1377, stanleyhotel.com.</p><p>Holiday Inn, 101 S. St. Vrain, Estes Park, has 150 guest rooms and suites from about $110 in mid-September, dropping later in the fall. 970-586-2332 or holidayinn.com.</p><p>Six drive-in campgrounds are available inside the park. Fees range from $3 a person at group sites to $20 per site at other campgrounds. Most of the campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Call 1-888-448-1474Ö or see recreation.gov.</p><p>For information about backcountry camping, call 970-586-1242.</p><p><strong>Where to eat</strong></p><p>Big Horn Restaurant, 401 W. Elkhorn Ave. American and Italian specialties. Rocky mountain trout, $14.50; New York strip, $16.95; lasagna, $13.75; manicotti, $11.25.</p><p>Grubsteak, 134 W. Elkhorn Ave. Burgers and steaks. Ribeye, $23.95; elk sirloin, $26; venison ravioli, $17.50; burgers from $7.10. </p><p>Trailhead Restaurant, 3450 Fall River Road. 12-ounce prime rib, $24.95; elk stew, $14.95; bison chili with roasted red peppers, $12.95; mountain man meat loaf, $10.95. </p><p><strong>To learn more</strong></p><p>Contact Rocky Mountain National Park at 970-586-1206 or <a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo">nps.gov/romo</a>.</p><p>Contact the Estes Park Convention and Visitors Bureau at <a href="http://www.estesparkcvb.com">estesparkcvb.com</a> or 800-44-ESTES. </p><p><strong>WATERFALLS</strong></p><p>Rocky Mountain National Park is rich with icy streams rushing over the rocks. Many of them feature beautiful waterfalls. Check these out, suggested by “Hiking Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park” ($1 at visitor centers):