Wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 3,213 documented species across 16 categories, including 5 threatened or endangered species and 1575 native species.

3,213
Total Species
16
Categories
5
Threatened
1,575
Native Species

Biodiversity Overview

Species by Category

Vascular Plant1,119Insect676Non-vascular Plant416Fungi306Bird278Chromista150Mammal75Other Non-vertebrates48Bacteria45Crab/Lobster/Shrimp39Spider/Scorpion22Fish12Slug/Snail10Protozoa9Amphibian5Reptile3

Native vs Non-Native Species

Native: 1,575 species (49%)
Non-native: 110 species (3%)

Abundance Distribution

Abundance Level Species Count Percentage
Unknown 1,239 38.6%
NA 919 28.6%
Common 654 20.4%
Uncommon 222 6.9%
Rare 100 3.1%
Occasional 64 2%

Threatened & Endangered Species

Endangered Species List

Rocky Mountain National Park contains 5 species with federal threatened or endangered status.

Species Category Status Nativeness
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Bird NA Native
greenback cutthroat trout Fish NA Native
Laguna Mountains skipper Insect EN NA
gray wolf Mammal EN Native
lynx Mammal NA Native

Conservation Priorities

Of the 3,213 species in Rocky Mountain National Park, 5 require active conservation management. The most species-rich category is Vascular Plant with 1,119 documented species.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many species are in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Rocky Mountain National Park has 3,213 documented species across 16 categories. Vascular Plant is the largest category with 1,119 species.

Are there endangered species in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Yes, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 5 threatened or endangered species requiring conservation management.

What is the most common wildlife category?

The most common category is Vascular Plant (1,119 species), followed by Insect (676).

Data Source: National Park Service (NPS) Biodiversity Database.

Last Updated: April 10, 2026