Geographically, Rocky is made up of two distinction sections. The Continental Divide, the dividing point at which water either flows to the Atlantic Ocean or The Pacific Ocean acts as a demarcation point in the park making for very distinct and unique sections on both the east and west sides of Rocky. This helps to make the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park very unique and different from the east side of Rocky Mountain.

Because the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park receives more moisture than east, streams, ponds and meadows are in abundance. Furthermore, The west side of Rocky Mountain National Park is home to the headwaters of the historic Colorado River. Elk are prolific on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park but so are Moose that are often found in the willows of the Kawuneeche Valley and along the banks of the Colorado River.