Anyone have experience tent camping in or around Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado? How feasible is it to get first-come, first-serve camp sites this time of year at the campgrounds that don't take reservations (keeping in mind that Glacier Basin, one of the main campgrounds, is closed this year)? How early in the day should you be trying to get one of those sites? And what's the typical backup plan - a motel in Estes Park? Backcountry camping?
I would recommend calling the local campground. They almost always have a number and while I have never been to the campgrounds you're discussing, I have had excellent luck getting information about other campgrounds using this method. I have also had excellent luck getting information about campgrounds from Reddit. The user base there is huge and people are normally passionate about their subreddits.
Can't help you. Only place I've slept there is Estes Park. Having said that, you could do a hell of a lot worse than Estes Park. When we stayed there, or any place we have traveled to, we try to find extended stay cabins rather than hotels / motels. It's cheaper.
