This meeting is free and open to the public. at Fall River Pass at the junction of Trail Ridge and Old Fall River roads, Open daily May 28 - October 11 (2010 season). A large percentage of those who visit Rocky Mountain National Park fly to Denver International Airport (DIA). If you plan to stay in a crosscountry area, indicate the area(s) and elevation where you wish to camp. 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. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. This campground is open year-round starting on May 28, 2010. Turn left here and follow CO 66 west for 16 miles to the town of Lyons. There is no limit on number of tents, but no more than five vehicles per site are allowed. and the America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series - 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. The campground is seasonal, opening (in 2010) on May 26 and closing on September 25. When you complete this, youll be sent a confirmation via email. Annual and Lifetime passes purchased online take 24 weeks to arrive by mail. (9am-3pm for most of the park, 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road corridor). Another option is to park at the Fairgrounds. Rocky Entrance Fee - vehicle entrance pass valid for 7 consecutive days, Rocky Entrance Fee - motorcycle entrance pass valid for 7 consecutive days, America The Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass - $80.00, Annual park pass valid at all U.S. National Park and federal lands, If youre new to snowshoeing, this is a perfect short hike to get you started. A bookstore offers items for purchase, and there are handicapped accessible restrooms available. Chartering an appropriately sized vehicle will make keeping your group together during travel easy. This is a one-way dirt road with many very tight twists and hairpin turns. Fees are not to be sent when requesting reservations, but are payable (by cash or check only) when the permit is issued. Colorado Entrance Fee in advance Pass Discounts for Camping. 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. Learn about getting to Rocky, the shuttle system, driving in the park, and parking in Estes Park. She has been with superintendent for seven years. The following fees are valid for 2019. 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. Include your name, address, zip code and telephone number. If you missed this opportunity, you still have a chance to get a permit. 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. CO Conditions at 5,000 feet are dramatically different from conditions above 8,000 feet. 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 Be prepared for changing conditions by dressing in layers and always carrying gear appropriate for both cold, wet weather and bright, sunny conditions. It is imperative to check the current road conditions before you head out. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park WebPre-Climb Comments . Sidles will be retiring in June. You can view her complete portfolio at www.erinannmccarthy.com. 4 Entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park - Which is best? all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and Winter wildlife watching: The quiet winter months are a spectacular time to spot wildlife. Offers a 20-minute film on the park (show times on the hour and half-hour throughout the day). Discover what different park entrance fee and pass options are available. located on Bear Lake Road approximately six miles south of the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Rocky Mountain National Park Site Pass - Recreation.gov America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. CO All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that dont have a physical entrance to drive through. If you plan on visiting for more than one day, pick up A portion of the park pass fees collected by the government is returned to the parks through The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. This is a new requirement for visiting the national park during the busy summer and autumn season. This group campground is tent-only. Erin McCarthy is a freelance writer and former Colgate University Outdoor Education Leader. 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. However, you will always need a park pass. This visitor center offers ranger-led walks in the Land Above the Trees and exhibits on the alpine tundra. Bear Lake - Latitude: 40.31197, Longitude: -105.64542. 970 586-1206 Off-road mountain biking is prohibited inside the park. The timed-entry permits usually go on sale on the first day of each month at 10am at www.recreation.gov. While parking is relatively ample in the early mornings, many lots are full by mid-morning during the peak summer months. Using lower gears while going downhill is strongly advised. Estes Park is more of a The next mile climbs up the western slopes of Deer Mountain along switchbacks. http://www.qgis.org), 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, All material copyright by Morning Light Photography, Inc. All rights reserved. From meadows found in the montane life 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. The trailhead to Longs Peak and other destinations is a short distance away. This is the highest continuously paved road in North America. 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. It also has its share of steep drops. Valid for date of purchase. 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. All visitors driving in the park between mid-October and early June should be prepared for winter driving conditions. WebRocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. $20 per night during the reservation period and when water is on; $14 per night the rest of the year. Most of the roads in the park have little to no shoulder, with the added challenge of dealing with heavy summer traffic. Old Fall River Road is closed to vehicles for the season. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Road conditions can vary greatly during the winter season. 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. 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. 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. Some percentage of each days allotted permits are saved and made available at 5pm the evening before the date of entry. You can only get the timed-entry permit by purchasing them online in advance. 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. These buses run every 30 minutes from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Below are our recommendations for things to do in March: Sledding: Hidden Valley, near Estes Park is a popular sledding spot. The nearest major airport is Denver International Airport (IATA: DEN) [3] located about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from the park, with connecting service to most major US cities. When the traction law is in place in RMNP, if a vehicle is involved in a motor vehicle crash, to include sliding off the road due to icy conditions, motorists will be cited if their vehicle does not meet Colorado Traction Control Law requirements. 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 U.S. Department of the Interior filed a lawsuit against a Fort Collins water company over a ruptured culvert that damaged parts of Rocky Mountain National Park It is important to take all speed limits seriously and obey them with care. Park Roads - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Since 1997, over $60 million of entrance and camping fees has been spent on various improvements and projects in Rocky. Be careful on snowfields, particularly on steep slopes where avalanche dangers may be high. You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry Office or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. 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. Be prepared for deer, elk, turkey, or other animals to step out into the road at any time. If you are not driving, the Estes Park Shuttle [2] offers reasonable one-way and round-trip rates from DEN to downtown Estes Park. Feds sue Fort Collins water company for a Grand River Ditch The roads winding through the park are filled with numerous dangers, including dozens of hairpin turns and edges with steep drops and no guard rail. 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. It is multi-story and often has space. Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) - NPS Rocky Mountain National Park One of the things you should keep in mind when driving in Rocky Mountain National Park is that it is the home of thousands of wild creatures. While safe to drive for most passenger vehicles, Old Fall River Road has a dirt surface and is winding and narrow. QGIS Geographic Information System. Limit of 12 per party for group campsites.). To learn about the weather in Rocky Mountain National Park, click this link to visit the park's. This bus will take you from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride Transit Hub in Rocky Mountain National Park where you can connect with the park shuttle system that runs in the Bear Lake Corridor, as described above. Less common animal sightings include black bears and the rare mountain lions, although the former will manage to hang out if human food is accessible. Ice fishing: Within the Park borders in the winter months,ice fishing is permitted with a valid Colorado fishing license. 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 have a large group to transport, consider chartering a vehicle. There is a recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 40 feet. 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. $20 per night when water is on; $14 per night when water is off, Rocky Mountains (United States of America), https://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Rocky_Mountain_National_Park&oldid=2711354, Pages linked to a data item for a disambiguation, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Longs Peak Ranger Station road (dead ends at the Longs Peak Ranger Station and trailhead), McGraw Ranch road (dead ends at McGraw Ranch and Cow Creek trailhead), Lily Lake Visitors Center parking lot (on the right side of SR-7 heading south from Estes Park, McGregor Ranch Gem Lake entrance (parking lots near Lumpy Ridge trailhead). Find all the details here. A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while you peak at grazing elk and snow-capped peaks. Soak in Hot Springs: After a long winters day, there is nothing better than defrosting in a natural hot spring. Rocky Mountain National Park Guide There are no sit-down restaurants inside of the park, but the neighboring towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake have numerous options. Rental cars are available at the Denver International Airport. It is served by numerous airlines and has direct flights to locations across the globe. At the same time, you should remember that these roads are for getting places. 970 586-1206 The park offers 359 miles of trail to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between January and May? If you are providing a multi-day road-based tour, please consider the National Park Service's guidance when it comes to providing such a service during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fees are good for the same group for seven days. This means the total seating capacity, not the actual number of people. 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. Youll likely pay the $25 daily fee if youre traveling with children. Considering the park's high altitude, the weather trends closer toward moderate four-season climate than edging on the extremes. Any standard car will do, though we encourage you to consider renting an electric vehicle to help cut down on noise and pollution in the park. Be aware that these last-minute permits are in high demand and tend to sell out within a minute or even less. 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. You can still get dehydrated even when its cold out! This page was last edited on 9 March 2022, at 07:45. 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.