but it can also be stressful. Yes, it's winter, but: it's never too late to start planning for summer, Rocky's busiest season. Drink several quarts of water per day to ward off dehydration. Entrance Fee in advance Pass Discounts for Camping. WebAll visitors at Rocky Mountain National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. A large percentage of those who visit Rocky Mountain National Park fly to Denver International Airport (DIA). Be prepared for changing conditions by dressing in layers and always carrying gear appropriate for both cold, wet weather and bright, sunny conditions. WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. Credit/Debit Cards Only 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. The 1930s brought a building boom to the park during the Great Depression, during which time the Trail Ridge Road was constructed through the park, which remains the highest continuous stretch of highway in the United States. located approximately nine miles south of the town of Estes Park on Route 7. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and , CATHY ALPER/LWV. Due to weather and adverse conditions, roads in Rocky Mountain National Park may close at any time. If caught in a lightning storm above treeline get away from summits and isolated trees and rocks and find shelter (but avoid small cave entrances and overhangs) and crouch down on your heels. All sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations taken). You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. They cannot be purchased at the entrance stations to the national park. Below are five recommendations for lower elevation winter hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park: On this short but sweet hike, normally one of the most popular hikes in the summer, youll travel through the subalpine forest filled with spruce, fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen. Elevations range from 8,000 feet to 12,183 feet (2,400 to 3,700 m). It is important to take all speed limits seriously and obey them with care. As well as the pay station, there is app for your phone called Park Mobile which is very easy to use. Entrance fees are $20 per private vehicle or $10 for individuals on foot or on bicycle, valid for one day. Camping space is extremely limited. 970 586-1206 WebQuestion: Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular park for outdoor recreation activities in Colorado. Free shipping for many products! Displays include a topographical relief map of the park and exhibits about the Colorado River and its people. On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that established the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park. Web25 Likes, TikTok video from JaimeeKat (@jaimeekat): "#CapCut photo dump: Rocky Mountain National Park, Fall River Entrance Station Replacement Project, Estes Park, For the most current information on Trail Ridge Road. Off-road mountain biking is prohibited inside the park. Black Lake Full Day Snowshoe Tour this 7-8 hour tour includes snowshoes, lunch, snacks, hot drinks, local transportation and a professional Colorado mountain guide. Show receipt for reentry. 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. A trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in March requires a significant amount of planning. (9am-3pm for most of the park, 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road corridor). The Moving can be an exciting experience. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. located along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley on U.S. Highway 34 approximately 10 miles north of Grand Lake. You always need a park pass to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. (Note: You will need a timed-entry permit with Bear Lake access to use the shuttle system.) WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Think about your safety when recreating in Rocky Mountain National Park, Help protect Rocky - Learn About How to Leave No Trace, Take the Rocky Pledge and help protect the park and its resources, Learn more about ideas and strategies for RMNP's long-range visitor day use access planning, The Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is going to be under construction, Learn about the upcoming Moraine Park Campground and Headquarters East Utility Rehabilitation Project, 1000 US Hwy 36 80517. You can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. WebYou could take Peak to Peak Hwy from I70 to Estes Park - that one is open year round. The Continental Divide cuts almost directly through the center of the park, creating two areas with very different landscapes - a drier and heavily glaciated eastern side, and a wetter, more forested western side. These are put towards park improvements such as trail and road repairs, campsites, hazard tree mitigation, etc. When you return to the lodge after a day of winter exploration, cozy up with a home-cooked meal and enjoy a good nights sleep in a luxurious bed. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Access to Moraine Park and Bear Lake via the Bear Lake Road, which is plowed, are open year-round. This road is a narrow dirt road that is one-way uphill only with sharp switch backs. WebTake I-25 north to Exit 243 (Hwy 66) to Estes Park From Denver via the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way Distance: 108 mi 174 km Time: 2.53 hours Take I-70 west to Exit 244 Discover what different park entrance fee and pass options are available. Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, here to learn more about National Park Service Fee Free Days. Starting around Memorial Day Weekend and going through the end of September, Rocky Mountain National Park operates a free shuttle bus service which enables you to access many destination and loop hikes along Bear Lake Road, including Sprague Lake and Glacier Gorge, to cut down on traffic congestion and limited parking. Estes Park Mountain Shophas rentals and many of the lodges in town provide free snowshoes for their guests. The large sites (7, 8 & 9) fit 26- 40 people and a maximum of five vehicles. Learn all about overnight backpacking camping permits, Learn about Timed Entry Permit Reservations. America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. Continue along the trail or across Nymph Lake if its frozen. About two miles in, the trail begins to climb through aspen groves and rocky terrain and eventually to the pine-covered shores of Cub Lake. their lives enriched, by the wonders of our amazing planet. Summer are the high season with warm temperatures ranging in from mid 70s-80F during the day, but dropping into the low 40sF to near freezing. A bookstore offers items for purchase and handicapped accessible restrooms are available. The water is turned off in the winter at all year-round campgrounds but drinking water is available at entrance stations and open visitor centers. It is first-come, first-served, with no reservations taken. Most areas of the park sit well above 9,000 feet with mountains along the Continental Divide topping off at above 12,000 feet. During the busy season (late May through mid-October) you will need a timed-entry permit during peak hours, as well as a park pass to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Conditions can change quickly and visitors should be prepared for wind, snow, ice, rain, and freezing temperatures to occur at any time. You have at least 5 minutes of inactivity before your selections are removed from your cart and made available to others. This road is very narrow and steep, with sharp turns. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. more information on current conditions Closure points on the road may fluctuate this fall, however the road is closed to through travel for the season. Before you take that trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, make sure you have secured a timed-entry permit for each day you want to enter the park. Rocky Mountain National Park [1] is a United States National Park that is located in the Front Range region of the state of Colorado. There are five drive-in campgrounds and two group camping areas in the park (one group campground is winter only, one is summer only). March is the snowiest month in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it milder than January and February temperature-wise. It is a perfect time to explore trails on snowshoes, dance on ice skates, or hit the sledding hills. These are the interagency passes which are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. Visit the Colorado Department of Transportation for road conditions outside the park. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and WebThese include: The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. If you are visiting during the winter, we recommend renting an all-wheel-drive vehicle (not 4-wheel drive) as they are more suitable for snowy conditions. Be prepared for cooler temperatures as you climb in elevation and keep an eye out for afternoon thunderstorms, especially as you climb above treeline. Offers exhibits about park wildlife, children's exhibits, and rangers can provide tips about what to do in the park. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Animals are unpredictable, particularly if they feel threatened, and even a deer is capable of killing a human. You can either print this out to show at the park entrance station or you can show them the confirmation email on your phone. The Gem Lake trail is a steep climb up to a picturesque alpine lake at the top of a ridge. Though there are no hot springs within the national park boundary, 20 miles southwest of the Grand Lake entrance sits Hot Sulphur Springs. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. Here are the many options for national park entrance fees. If you are not driving, the Estes Park Shuttle [2] offers reasonable one-way and round-trip rates from DEN to downtown Estes Park. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. 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. 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. Handicapped accessible and family restrooms are available. WebThey can be seen all over the park, but most commonly are seen on Bear Lake Road, in Moraine Park and at the Fall River Entrance. WebCurrent entry fee details: 1 day pass: $30/automobile (can purchase online) 7 day pass: $35/automobile (can purchase online) Pedestrians: 1 day pass, $15 per person. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. Learn all about the Estes Park Hiker Shuttle. Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any national park in the United States, with Trail Ridge Road (Hwy 34) cresting at 12,183 feet above sea level. Driving in the national park is generally easy as most roads are quite wide, well-paved, and have numerous spots where you can pull over to enjoy the view. Rocky Mountain National Park 1-Day Pass: $25/vehicle 7-Day Pass: $35/vehicle Annual Pass: $70 Mesa Verde National Park 7-Day Pass Jan-April: $15/vehicle 7-Day Pass May-Oct: Open winter only, this tent-only group site is first-come, first-served. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Route: Flattop Mountain Trail & Hallett Peak, West Slopes You can also call the Recorded Trail Ridge Road Status Line at (970) 586-1222. There are two routes: The Bear Lake Route and the Moraine Park Route. What do I need to know for camping this winter? If you have a large group to transport, consider chartering a vehicle. Synthetic (non-cotton) socks are essential for keeping your feet warm even if they get wet.