Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of RMNP and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park. WebTimed Entry Permit Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May 1. 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 Just be aware that at these times the lines to get into the park can be long. Web- Campers will be able to enter the park beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation Timed Entry Reservations at Rocky Mountain National Park Campsite Limits. The western side of the park is wetter, is heavily forested, and is less developed, but still contains excellent trekking and backcountry opportunities. 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. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. Turn right at the trail junction a half mile in marked Cub Lake Trail. Valid for date of purchase. When the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is active in RMNP, this means that all vehicles (including 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and 2-Wheel Drive) must have properly rated tires (Mud and Snow, Mountain and Snow or All-Weather Tires) with a minimum of 3/16" tread. - including the interagency Annual Pass, the Interagency Annual Senior Pass, the Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass, the Interagency Access Pass, the Annual Military Pass, and the 4th Grade Pass. Show receipt for reentry. America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet. This road is normally well-graded and so any normal car should not have any trouble driving it. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. The last bus of the day leaves Bear Lake and Fern Lake trailheads at 7:30 p.m. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Drive to the next pull-over and walk back to enjoy the view. Peep the cliffs in the Northern area at Many Parks Curve of the park to spot bighorn sheep. Specify the number of people that will be in your party. The day pass was implemented in October 2015. Early mornings or late evening rides may minimize conflict with other vehicles. If you were not able to obtain a permit, you are not completely out of luck. Difficulty levels range from the half mile wheelchair accessable jaunt around Bear Lake to the backbreaking 'Mummy Kill', recommended only for those with years of mountaineering experience or a death wish. The park is dominated by Longs Peak, one of Colorado's 54 "Fourteeners" at 14,259 feet and dubbed the "Monarch of the Front Range". 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. 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 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. They include access to 2,000 federal recreation areas throughout the United States, including Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed-entry permits are required from late May through mid-October during peak hours (9am-3pm for most of the park, 5am-6pm for the Bear Lake Road area), unless you have a camping permit, are part of a guided tour, or are entering via the Hiker Shuttle. Even driving at high elevation can affect sensitive individuals. The large meadow valleys and gentle slopes of the montane ecosystem in Rocky Mountain National Park are the most accessible and arguably the most approachable for winter hiking. A large percentage of those who visit Rocky Mountain National Park fly to Denver International Airport (DIA). CO 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. If you plan to stay in a crosscountry area, indicate the area(s) and elevation where you wish to camp. Soak in Hot Springs: After a long winters day, there is nothing better than defrosting in a natural hot spring. located on Bear Lake Road approximately six miles south of the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. WebRocky Mountain National Park has two entrances: Beaver Meadow Grand Lake The nearest airport to the Beaver Meadow entrance is in Denver, Colorado. Located at 8,500 ft elevation with 150 sites. From there you can walk on the paved riverwalk and be in town in just a couple of minutes. The trail then flattens out and drops a bit before reaching the summit trail junction. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Include your name, address, zip code and telephone number. There are 60 miles (97 km) of hard-surfaced road with a five to seven percent grade. From the east: The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is three miles from downtown Estes Park near the terminus of US-36 and can be reached via several roads. WebThe guide will familiarize you with the mountain and help you on your climb. Conditions at 5,000 feet are dramatically different from conditions above 8,000 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. Bonus: on the weekends there is a warming hut nearby. Reservations accepted and recommended. This road is very narrow and steep, with sharp turns. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear It is imperative to check the current road conditions before you head out. The next mile climbs up the western slopes of Deer Mountain along switchbacks. It is multi-story and often has space. There is also a bookstore with items for purchase. Learn how to be prepared for winter conditions. If you have a large group to transport, consider chartering a vehicle. It also leads high up into the tundra. Many of the trails in the Eastern Part of the Park can be reached via shuttle buses. Although there is no public transport into the park itself (other than the park shuttle mentioned above), Amtrak's California Zephyr service, which runs daily in both directions between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area, has stops at Denver, Fraser-Winter Park, and Granby, from where you can hire a car to get the rest of the way to the park. Trail Ridge Road is not plowed between 4 pm and 7 am. It is recommended that you travel in a counter clockwise direction along Bear Lake. Fees and passes can also be purchased online through Recreation.gov. The two main entrances on either side of the park Grand Lake and Estes Park are quite different. Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. On the day Trail Ridge Road closed for the winter, Rocky Mountain National Park announced a major renovation of one of its two main entrance stations. You always need a park pass to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, will be retiring in June. Looking for an epic spring break trip? For a unique cycling experience, check with the park information office for specifics on the Old Fall River Road (gravel surface) and Trail Ridge Road (paved), which are open to bicycles early in the summer season, before they open to vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled as you may spot an elk or a bighorn sheep! Rocky Mountain National Park was founded in 1915 and is located in Northern Colorado close to the Estes Park and Grand Lake towns in the US. For the safety of all motorists driving in Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter season, the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law may become active at any time, based on weather and road conditions. Water is available at the entrance stations, visitor centers, and during summer months, the campgrounds. Click here to learn more about driving on Trail Ridge Road. Most of the visitor centers offer books and other items for purchase, and there is a gift shop located next door to the Fall River Visitor Center. A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From the popular Bear Lake Trailhead, a good trail leads to Flattop Mountain and then a short 400 foot climb leads to the summit of Hallett. For wildlife seekers, Rocky Mountain National Park offers some fantastic opportunities to view the variety of animals that live inside its borders. Old Fall River Road was built over 7 years, beginning in July 1913 and dedicated on September 14, 1920. Be vigilant for thunderstorms in the early to late afternoons, where lightning can create a serious hazard. Youll travel along switchbacks amongst ponderosa, aspen, and fir trees. WebYour Rocky Mountain Hideout! The west side of the Park at Grand Lake (8,300 feet) has more snow, but less wind. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. 80517. All sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations taken). There is a book store and snack shop as well as accessible restrooms and vault toilets. The cost for timed-entry permits is just $2 per day and is non-refundable. Next youll select the date and time you want to enter and add it to your cart. From late May through mid-October there is a shuttle system for the very busy Bear Lake corridor. Ice fishing: Within the Park borders in the winter months,ice fishing is permitted with a valid Colorado fishing license. Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 35 feet and shuttle bus access is available. A bookstore offers items for purchase, and there are handicapped accessible restrooms available. 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. Take US34 ( Big Thompson Canyon) from Estes Park to Loveland. 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. On average, the month of March sees about 156,000 visitors more than double the number in February. Large vehicles or trailers should avoid this road. Cycling through the park offers riders a chance to take in some of the scenery and striking vistas at a casual pace; however, some may be daunted by the high altitudes and steep climbs on the main roads. The park offers 359 miles of trail to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Learn all about overnight backpacking camping permits, Learn about Timed Entry Permit Reservations. 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. In the west, moose can be found in Kawuneeche Valley. Youll likely pay the $25 daily fee if youre traveling with children. Road conditions in the Colorado rockies may change quickly due to blowing snow and incoming storms. Grand Lake can be reached from I-70 via US-40 which runs through Empire and over the Berthoud Pass. Estes Park Mountain Shophas rentals and many of the lodges in town provide free snowshoes for their guests. Grand Lake is a better option for the summer months (June September) but there is still plenty to see and do on the west side of the Park. The trail begins to climb up to Nymph Lake with views of Longs Peak. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and There is no alcohol for sale anywhere in the park. Entrance fees are $20 per private vehicle or $10 for individuals on foot or on bicycle, valid for one day. Turn right where a steep climb to the summit and stunning 360 views await you. In addition, be aware of the weather. Rangers can also provide information on what to do in the park. Displays include a topographical relief map of the park and exhibits about the Colorado River and its people. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. off the Bear Lake Road, 1 1/2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance, Open May 1 through October 11 (2010 season). If you're planning to visit us in the next month, please wait and purchase your Annual or Lifetime pass in-person at the park. Next you will have two choices: Park Access +" (Includes Bear Lake Corridor) or Park Access" (Excludes Bear Lake Rd Corridor). 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. Winter cyclists will have access to Upper Beaver Meadows Road, Moraine Park Campground, Endovalley Road, Aspenglen Campground and High Drive. The first route, known as the Bear Lake Route, runs from Park & Ride Transit Hub to Bear Lake with stops at the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead and the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Highway 34 connects Grand Lake and Estes Park across the Continental Divide, giving you awesome views of the western and eastern sides of the park. 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 March is the snowiest month in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it milder than January and February temperature-wise. Learn how to be prepared for winter conditions. Read on for our complete guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March. Entrance Stations and Visitor Centers - Rocky Mountain National WebA valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. QGIS Association. Be prepared for cooler temperatures as you climb in elevation and keep an eye out for afternoon thunderstorms, especially as you climb above treeline. It is about 1.5 hours to the park. This is the highest continuously paved road in North America. For the most up-to-date information from the national park about the timed-entry permit system, visit: the National Park website. The state of Colorado has a fantastic resource to check the currentavalanche conditions. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, They specify which day and what time you are allowed to enter. The program will be held at the American Legion Hall, 850 N. St. Vrain Ave. Sidles and Patterson will discuss the timed entry program, construction projects around the Park especially at the Fall River entrance and on the West Side for ranger housing, and other summer plans. The following fees are valid for 2019. This climb is certainly worth it to reach the stunning views of the quiet, frozen Gem Lake. WebThe majority of visitors use the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances. Getting there: From Denver, follow I-25 North to Exit 243. Since 1997, over $60 million of entrance and camping fees has been spent on various improvements and projects in Rocky. Fall River Entrance The projects completed in 2013 include the following: 1000 US Hwy 36 There are no electric, water or sewer hookups at any campsites. I suggest doing this in advance. 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 campground is seasonal, opening (in 2010) on May 26 and closing on September 25.