This campground is open year-round starting on May 28, 2010. 7 day A bookstore offers items for purchase, and there are handicapped accessible restrooms available. off the Bear Lake Road, 1 1/2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance, Open May 1 through October 11 (2010 season). During the busy season, the town of Estes Park operates a free shuttle service that serves the center of town and some of the main hotels. Then there is another class of passes that also work. The Never Summer Mountains sit on the western side of the park and consist of 10 distinct peaks, all rising well over 12,000 feet. Colorado Traction Control Law may be implemented as conditions require. Site by, Learn all about the Estes Park Hiker Shuttle, Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 to Protect Nesting Raptors, Winter Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through Oct 22, Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park. CO Using lower gears while going downhill is strongly advised. at Fall River Pass at the junction of Trail Ridge and Old Fall River roads, Open daily May 28 - October 11 (2010 season). Annual and Lifetime passes purchased online take 24 weeks to arrive by mail. This visitor center offers ranger-led walks in the Land Above the Trees and exhibits on the alpine tundra. If youve never been hiking or skiing in deep snow, beware that avalanche conditions could exist. Our 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Boondocking Spots are all within 20 min. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round on both the east and west side of the park. You can still get dehydrated even when its cold out! Emerald Lake Half Day Snowshoe Tour this tour is 4-5 hours and includes snowshoes, ski poles, snacks, hot drinks, local transportation and a professional Colorado mountain guide. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. Everyone who was behind you will be grateful. Also note that high elevation increases the chance of dehydration, severe sunburn, and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions. Turn right at the trail junction a half mile in marked Cub Lake Trail. Wear and reapply sunscreen often. Text is available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/Copyleft Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0] images are available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/How_to_re-use_Wikitravel_guides various licenses], see each image for details. 970 586-1206 Colorado Route 7 runs from Estes Park to the south, passing by several trailheads, including those for Lily Mountain, the Twin Sisters, the Longs Peak Ranger Station and the Wild Basin. Weather and temperatures can vary greatly in Rocky Mountain National Park. Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with capacity of less than 16 passengers. The most challenging sections are found between Rainbow Curve and the Alpine Visitor Center. Valid for date of purchase. Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, here to learn more about National Park Service Fee Free Days. Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails and no shoulders. In addition, there is a $50 pass available that allows entry into Rocky Mountain National Park for one year. When Erin isnt writing, she is exploring the mountains and rivers of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. On December 1, the road will revert to trail status and bicycles and leashed pets will not be allowed on Old Fall River Road. There are no sit-down restaurants inside of the park, but the neighboring towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake have numerous options. The National Park does not receive any income for this permitting system. Sidles will be retiring in June. Another alternative for getting to Rocky Mountain National Park is to take a new bus service offered from Boulder, Colorado. Covers one motorcycle. The first is to park in the large parking garage behind the town visitor center. It is about 1.5 hours to the park. WebEntry Reservation Tickets are also available: by calling the Reservation Line: 877-444-6777 Reservation International: 606-515-6777 Reservation Line (TDD) 877-833-6777 or by The Gem Lake trail is a steep climb up to a picturesque alpine lake at the top of a ridge. If you arrive before the start of the permit time or after the end of the permit time, then you will not need a permit. Our Rocky Mountain National Park Snowshoe tours include: Lodge-based Rocky Mountain Snowshoe Tour this is a 4-day adventure with local lodging in Estes Park, transportation into the Park each day, snowshoe, backpacks and ski poles, all meals and snacks (including hot drinks on the trail), and a professional Colorado mountain guide. If you have a large group to transport, consider chartering a vehicle. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you RMNP Superintendent Darla Sidles retiring, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Frozen Dead Guy Days live music and entertainment lineup announced, Estes Womens Monument given prestigious history award, Perspectives: Watched by Howard P. Hanson, Estes Park Health Board of Directors approves May 2 ballot measure, EP Health Board discusses upcoming election, Update: Follow up on hoax report of active shooter, Fire breaks out above McGraw Ranch road from burn pile, PHOTOS GALLERY The Stanleys first annual Westerns & Whiskey Weekend, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Aurora borealis in the rockies 2-27-23 - in time lapse, Mistaken identity leads to heavy police response on DUI arrest, Duck Race heralds arrival of spring to Estes Park, EVSTRA reacts to proposed STR regulations and rumors, Trail Gazette Editorial - Workforce staffing in the Estes Valley requires flexibility and open minds, Wrestling coach addressed Board of Ed about firing, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Additionally, rain, snow, ice, or fog can appear any moment without warning, making it even more treacherous. Animals are unpredictable, particularly if they feel threatened, and even a deer is capable of killing a human. If youre new to the sport you can book a trip with a guide in Estes Park, the Colorado Mountain School or Kent Mountain Adventure Center. Reservations accepted and recommended. There is also a bookstore with items for purchase. Show receipt for reentry. on U.S. Route 36, three miles from the town of Estes Park. This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. He began to lobby Congress to establish a national park in the area surrounding Longs Peak, a mountain he had climbed over 40 times by himself. Just past 4th Street, veer right onto U.S. 36 and follow it for 20 miles to Estes Park. Both areas offer excellent spots for high altitude alpine hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing, as well as ample opportunity for spotting wildlife. Be vigilant for thunderstorms in the early to late afternoons, where lightning can create a serious hazard. enjoy the natural world. Eleven miles of the paved road through the heart of the park is above 11,500 feet and WebHow to Make a Rocky Mountain National Park Reservation Timed entry permit reservation tickets are available online at recreation.gov or by : Reservation Line: 877-444-6777 Reservation International: 606-515-6777 Reservation Line (TDD) 877-833-6777 Recreation.gov mobile app ( iOS / Android ). You can only get the timed-entry permit by purchasing them online in advance. One advantage to a winter trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is that oftentimes the lodges are nearly half the price, specifically in Estes Park. Located at 8,200 ft elevation, with 54 sites. Passes that are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series are not available for purchase via Recreation.gov. To protect against larger predators like bears and mountain lions make noise while hiking to avoid startling an animal, and use bear-proof containers to store anything with a scent; this includes food, toothpaste, deodorant, empty food wrappers, or anything else that might attract a bear's interest. Here are primary park passes for Rocky Mountain National Park. Yes, it's winter, but: it's never too late to start planning for summer, Rocky's busiest season. Park your vehicle in one of these spaces and then find either a pay station or a sign which lists the various ways you can pay. Youll travel along switchbacks amongst ponderosa, aspen, and fir trees. Open winter only, this tent-only group site is first-come, first-served. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. Access to Moraine Park and Bear Lake via the Bear Lake Road, which is plowed, are open year-round. It is about a 90-minute drive to the eastern edge of the park from the airport. If you choose this option, you can visit the popular areas along Bear Lake Road plus all the rest of the park, but these permits are likely to sell out first. Trail Ridge Road runs from the east side of the park near Estes Park to the west side of the park near Grand Lake. A second option is Sprague Lake, a 3.3 mile loop that is perfect for the beginner skier since it is mostly flat. When you complete this, youll be sent a confirmation via email. You can go a bit into RMNP on the east side, currently up to Many Parks Curve lookout (there's a phone number at the link for up-to-date info). The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. The small sites (#1 & 13) fit 9 - 15 people and a maximum of three vehicles. This page was last edited on 9 March 2022, at 07:45. Most areas of the park sit well above 9,000 feet with mountains along the Continental Divide topping off at above 12,000 feet. The west side of the Park at Grand Lake (8,300 feet) has more snow, but less wind. (9am-3pm for most of the park, 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road corridor). Depending on which entrance you choose, there are rentals for both activities available in Estes Park (east entrance) and Grand Lake (west entrance). All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at Rocky's staffed park entrance stations. Offers daily ranger walks and illustrated programs on Saturday night. Holders of the National Park Pass ($80, allows entry to all national park areas for one year) do not need to pay an entrance fee. The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. The fastest way to get to the park from the airport is via the E-470 toll road, up I-25, then west on highway 66, and from Lyons head up Highway 36 to Estes Park. Fees are not to be sent when requesting reservations, but are payable (by cash or check only) when the permit is issued. Below are our recommendations for things to do in March: Sledding: Hidden Valley, near Estes Park is a popular sledding spot. Offers natural history exhibits and a half-mile nature trail. It may still seem busy when you visit, but it was much busier before this system was implemented. Learn all about what to expect visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March (Written by Erin McCarthy). What do I need to know for camping this winter? On the right youll have views of Moraine Park, Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and the Continental Divide. The trail then flattens out and drops a bit before reaching the summit trail junction. From meadows found in the montane life A smaller option is Eagle County Regional Airport (IATA: EGE) [4] located near the skiing resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek; however, service to this airport is usually seasonal and confined to the winter months. Over the last few years, the trails have become so busy that not only are the trails and surrounding forest damaged, but the busyness has greatly detracted from the visitor experience. The western side of the park is wetter, is heavily forested, and is less developed, but still contains excellent trekking and backcountry opportunities.