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Rocky Mountain National Park Plein Air and Camping Trip with Melanie Damore June 15–18
PLEASE REGISTER & PAY AT COLORADO MOUNTAIN EXPEDITIONS FOR THIS TRIP.
Join Colorado Mountain Expeditions for a four-day plein air painting and camping experience set in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Designed for intermediate to advanced painters, this small-group trip combines focused instruction, inspiring alpine landscapes, and the comfort of a fully supported basecamp.
Participants will camp together at a group site in Glacier Basin Campground, allowing the group to stay inside Rocky Mountain National Park and maximize time in the landscape that inspires our work. Having our basecamp within the park means less driving each day and more time painting, observing, and experiencing the changing light and weather that make plein air work so rewarding. From early morning quiet to evening alpenglow, camping in the park allows us to fully immerse ourselves in Rocky Mountain National Park rather than simply visiting it.
Our campsite serves as a comfortable and thoughtfully organized basecamp where guests can relax, gather, and refuel between painting sessions. In addition to individual sleeping tents, CME provides a spacious guest tent for meeting, relaxing, and evening critiques, along with a dedicated cooking tent where hot meals are prepared and shared. Camp chairs, seating areas, and communal spaces create a welcoming environment to unwind, review work, and enjoy conversation at the end of the day.
With all meals provided, transportation within the park handled by CME, and daily instruction and critique from a professional artist, guests can fully immerse themselves in their creative practice without worrying about logistics. Breakfasts and dinners are served hot at camp, lunches are packed for full days in the field, and dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. CME staff handle camp setup, kitchen operations, and daily coordination, allowing participants to focus on painting and enjoying time in the park.
While there is some walking involved, this is an art-focused experience, not a hiking retreat, and the pace is intentionally relaxed to prioritize painting time. The result is a supportive, comfortable, and inspiring environment where guests can settle in, feel well cared for, and devote their energy to creating.
The trip begins with an afternoon meetup in Estes Park, followed by entry into Rocky Mountain National Park and setup at our group campsite in Glacier Basin Campground. Once camp is established, the group will gather for a camp orientation and a hot dinner prepared by CME. The evening concludes with an artist-led introduction to the trip, including a review of materials, discussion of basic techniques, and an overview of the painting experience ahead.
Over the following days, participants will spend full days painting on location throughout the park. Each morning begins with a hot breakfast at camp before loading into the CME van and traveling to inspiring painting sites. Daily walking distances are kept manageable—up to approximately two miles—to allow access to scenic locations while keeping the focus on painting rather than physical exertion. Painters will work primarily in oil, typically spending time at one main location with the option to move to a second site as conditions and group interest allow. Packed lunches are enjoyed in the field to maximize uninterrupted time outdoors. Evenings return to camp for a hot dinner followed by group critique, where the artist offers thoughtful feedback and guidance in a supportive, small-group setting.
On the final morning, the group will enjoy a hot breakfast before breaking down camp and returning to Estes Park. Guests can expect to be back at their vehicles by late morning, marking the conclusion of the trip.
This experience includes daily instruction and evening critiques, all meals from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the final day, transportation within Rocky Mountain National Park, group camping accommodations, permits, and the support of professional CME guides. Breakfasts and dinners are served hot at camp, while lunches are packed each day according to guest preferences. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.
This trip is considered low to moderate in physical demand. Participants should be comfortable walking short distances at elevation and carrying their personal painting supplies. With a maximum of eight participants, the group remains intentionally small, allowing for individual attention, meaningful feedback, and a collaborative learning environment.
This trip is ideal for painters who already have experience with oil painting and are looking to deepen their plein air practice in a focused, immersive setting. If you value thoughtful instruction, inspiring landscapes, and a well-organized experience that allows you to concentrate fully on your art, this trip offers a rare opportunity to paint Rocky Mountain National Park with intention and care.
Space is limited. We invite you to join us for four days of creative exploration, connection, and painting in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes.
PLEASE REGISTER & PAY AT COLORADO MOUNTAIN EXPEDITIONS FOR THIS TRIP.
Join Colorado Mountain Expeditions for a four-day plein air painting and camping experience set in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Designed for intermediate to advanced painters, this small-group trip combines focused instruction, inspiring alpine landscapes, and the comfort of a fully supported basecamp.
Participants will camp together at a group site in Glacier Basin Campground, allowing the group to stay inside Rocky Mountain National Park and maximize time in the landscape that inspires our work. Having our basecamp within the park means less driving each day and more time painting, observing, and experiencing the changing light and weather that make plein air work so rewarding. From early morning quiet to evening alpenglow, camping in the park allows us to fully immerse ourselves in Rocky Mountain National Park rather than simply visiting it.
Our campsite serves as a comfortable and thoughtfully organized basecamp where guests can relax, gather, and refuel between painting sessions. In addition to individual sleeping tents, CME provides a spacious guest tent for meeting, relaxing, and evening critiques, along with a dedicated cooking tent where hot meals are prepared and shared. Camp chairs, seating areas, and communal spaces create a welcoming environment to unwind, review work, and enjoy conversation at the end of the day.
With all meals provided, transportation within the park handled by CME, and daily instruction and critique from a professional artist, guests can fully immerse themselves in their creative practice without worrying about logistics. Breakfasts and dinners are served hot at camp, lunches are packed for full days in the field, and dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. CME staff handle camp setup, kitchen operations, and daily coordination, allowing participants to focus on painting and enjoying time in the park.
While there is some walking involved, this is an art-focused experience, not a hiking retreat, and the pace is intentionally relaxed to prioritize painting time. The result is a supportive, comfortable, and inspiring environment where guests can settle in, feel well cared for, and devote their energy to creating.
The trip begins with an afternoon meetup in Estes Park, followed by entry into Rocky Mountain National Park and setup at our group campsite in Glacier Basin Campground. Once camp is established, the group will gather for a camp orientation and a hot dinner prepared by CME. The evening concludes with an artist-led introduction to the trip, including a review of materials, discussion of basic techniques, and an overview of the painting experience ahead.
Over the following days, participants will spend full days painting on location throughout the park. Each morning begins with a hot breakfast at camp before loading into the CME van and traveling to inspiring painting sites. Daily walking distances are kept manageable—up to approximately two miles—to allow access to scenic locations while keeping the focus on painting rather than physical exertion. Painters will work primarily in oil, typically spending time at one main location with the option to move to a second site as conditions and group interest allow. Packed lunches are enjoyed in the field to maximize uninterrupted time outdoors. Evenings return to camp for a hot dinner followed by group critique, where the artist offers thoughtful feedback and guidance in a supportive, small-group setting.
On the final morning, the group will enjoy a hot breakfast before breaking down camp and returning to Estes Park. Guests can expect to be back at their vehicles by late morning, marking the conclusion of the trip.
This experience includes daily instruction and evening critiques, all meals from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the final day, transportation within Rocky Mountain National Park, group camping accommodations, permits, and the support of professional CME guides. Breakfasts and dinners are served hot at camp, while lunches are packed each day according to guest preferences. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.
This trip is considered low to moderate in physical demand. Participants should be comfortable walking short distances at elevation and carrying their personal painting supplies. With a maximum of eight participants, the group remains intentionally small, allowing for individual attention, meaningful feedback, and a collaborative learning environment.
This trip is ideal for painters who already have experience with oil painting and are looking to deepen their plein air practice in a focused, immersive setting. If you value thoughtful instruction, inspiring landscapes, and a well-organized experience that allows you to concentrate fully on your art, this trip offers a rare opportunity to paint Rocky Mountain National Park with intention and care.
Space is limited. We invite you to join us for four days of creative exploration, connection, and painting in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes.