WebRocky Mountain National Park has two entrances: Beaver Meadow Grand Lake The nearest airport to the Beaver Meadow entrance is in Denver, Colorado. Some percentage of each days allotted permits are saved and made available at 5pm the evening before the date of entry. You may make reservations by mail or in person anytime after March 1 for a permit for that calendar year. Many visitors use Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge as their starting point into the park, both of which can be accessed via the Bear Lake Road. Thunderstorms are constantly looming in the early to mid afternoon during the summer, but clear off quickly by evening, bringing crisp and cool weather. Trail Ridge Road runs from the east side of the park near Estes Park to the west side of the park near Grand Lake. QGIS Geographic Information System. QGIS Association. This climb is certainly worth it to reach the stunning views of the quiet, frozen Gem Lake. Remember to slow down and keep your distance from other vehicles. 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. Valid for date of purchase. From late May through October 2nd there is a bus that leaves from Table Mesa Park-N-Ride on weekends and holidays. To this end, it is wise to have a reliable vehicle and always pack extra food, water, flares, and blankets in case of an emergency. All visitors driving in the park between mid-October and early June should be prepared for winter driving conditions. Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, here to learn more about National Park Service Fee Free Days. Other park campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and fill on most summer days. WebThe main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. WebPre-Climb Comments . 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. located along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley on U.S. Highway 34 approximately 10 miles north of Grand Lake. Our You can only get the timed-entry permit by purchasing them online in advance. Fall River Entrance Just past 4th Street, veer right onto U.S. 36 and follow it for 20 miles to Estes Park. CATHY ALPER/LWV. There is also a bookstore with items for purchase. The 13,000-foot Mummy Range rests on the northern side of Rocky Mountain National Park with two roads skirting long its southern edges: a one-way, dirt road that winds up the Fall River called the Old Fall River Road; and a section of Highway 34 famously known as the Trail Ridge Road. 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. While parking is relatively ample in the early mornings, many lots are full by mid-morning during the peak summer months. Youll travel along switchbacks amongst ponderosa, aspen, and fir trees. This recorded phone line has the most up-to-date information on the status of Trail Ridge Road. 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. It is important to take all speed limits seriously and obey them with care. This system is used during the busy season, late May through mid-October. 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. On the east side of the Park, elk descend down to the montane meadows and even into the town of Estes Park. There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods (non-refundable). 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. While Rocky Mountain National Park has federal exclusive jurisdiction, the park is authorized under 36 CFR 4.2(b) to enforce applicable local and state traffic regulations. WebAll visitors at Rocky Mountain National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. 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. The timed-entry permits are per-vehicle, not per person. the page for Rocky Mountain National Park, Learn all the details about the Hiker Shuttle here, https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm, 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, Lastly, if you have reserved a campsite at one of the, Annual Fourth Grade Pass for US students in fourth grade: Free, Annual Volunteer Pass: Free (250 hours of volunteer service at any of the six participating federal agencies is required). WebYour Rocky Mountain Hideout! These are put towards park improvements such as trail and road repairs, campsites, hazard tree mitigation, etc. Because the wildlife is concentrated to a smaller area, there is a great chance to view them with a spectacular winter backdrop. Take US34 ( Big Thompson Canyon) from Estes Park to Loveland. During the winter season, motorists cannot drive over the top of Trail Ridge Road. Learn all about overnight backpacking camping permits, Learn about Timed Entry Permit Reservations. For the most current information on Trail Ridge Road. Weather and temperatures can vary greatly in Rocky Mountain National Park. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 The two main entrances on either side of the park Grand Lake and Estes Park are quite different. The state of Colorado has a fantastic resource to check the currentavalanche conditions. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. WebRocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. Find out all you need to know about transportation in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park When Erin isnt writing, she is exploring the mountains and rivers of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The medium sites (#2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12) fit 16-25 people and a maximum of four vehicles. The last bus of the day leaves Bear Lake and Fern Lake trailheads at 7:30 p.m. There are a number of different national park passes available that can be purchased at the park entrance stations or online. Altitude sickness symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat and insomnia. $20 per night during the reservation period and when water is on; $14 per night the rest of the year. The recreation.gov website is run by an external contractor, not the National Park Service. Be prepared for cooler temperatures as you climb in elevation and keep an eye out for afternoon thunderstorms, especially as you climb above treeline. A week pass entrance fee is $30 for a private vehicle. Wildland Trekking offers luxurious lodge-based tours as well as winter day hikes to Emerald Lake and Black Lake. The first bus departs from the Park & Ride at 7 a.m., and the last bus leaves at 7 p.m. WebThe guide will familiarize you with the mountain and help you on your climb. If youre new to high elevations and alpine and sub-alpine exploration, consider booking aguided snowshoe tour. 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. WebA valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and On the right youll have views of Moraine Park, Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and the Continental Divide. 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". Old Fall River Road was built over 7 years, beginning in July 1913 and dedicated on September 14, 1920. 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. After a small mining rush on the western side of the park in the early 1880s, a 14 year old boy by the name of Enos Mills moved to the area and began to extensively document the region's geography and ecology through essays and books. GOGO Charters makes group transportation easy. 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. All are welcome. She has been with superintendent for seven years. Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! Youll trek across frozen mountain lakes and through alpine meadows. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trail Ridge Road Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado CO Postcard c.1960 at the best online prices at eBay! Available / Book (866) 611-6114 Details Visit Site River Retreat Cabin Stunningly beautiful, fully restored classic Colorado Cabin on the Big Thompson river just 5 minutes from Estes Park. Fees and passes can also be purchased online through Recreation.gov. I suggest doing this in advance. Rental cars are available at the Denver International Airport. All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at Rocky's staffed park entrance stations. Turn right where a steep climb to the summit and stunning 360 views await you. The Moving can be an exciting experience. It is about a 90-minute drive to the eastern edge of the park from the airport. These buses run every 30 minutes from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Visit www.nps.gov for complete fee listings. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. RMNP is one of the few national parks that offers a one-day vehicle entrance pass. You can also call the backcountry office at (970) 586-1242 to reserve a permit. Read on for our complete guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March. WebEntrance Fees and Park Passes Learn what park pass is right for you Plan Your Fall Trip to Rocky Watch the hills come alive with color during the Fall season in RMNP Maps View Wildflowers seem to be everywhere throughout the park, including the popular Indian Paintbrush and Columbine, Colorado's state flower. Entrance fees are $20 per private vehicle or $10 for individuals on foot or on bicycle, valid for one day. Sidles will be retiring in June. This is a new requirement for visiting the national park during the busy summer and autumn season. Continue west alongside Cub Creek and Beaver Ponds. 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 park's borders lie within three counties, Larimer, Boulder, and Grand, and it is surrounded by Roosevelt, Arapaho, and Routt National Forests. 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. Reservations accepted and recommended from May 26 to October 4, 2010, and it is first-come, first-served the remainder of the year. Continue straight along the ponderosa pines and open meadows for the first mile, keeping an eye out for deer and elk. Animals are unpredictable, particularly if they feel threatened, and even a deer is capable of killing a human. The first is to park in the large parking garage behind the town visitor center. 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. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and If you already have an Interagency Annual, Senior, Access, Military, or other valid entrance Moose mainly stay on the western side of the park and Bighorn Sheep - a rare but exciting find - stay above the tree line and can sometimes be seen off the Trail Ridge Road. Located East of Trail Ridge Road near Grand Lake, Colorado, located on U.S. Highway 34 just west of the Fall River Entrance Station. 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. 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. 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. 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. Beverages may be purchased at the snack bar next to the Fall River Visitor Center or at the Alpine Visitor Center. Many of the trails in the Eastern Part of the Park can be reached via shuttle buses. Free shipping for many products! 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. Conditions can change quickly and visitors should be prepared for wind, snow, ice, rain, and freezing temperatures to occur at any time. If you have a large group to transport, consider chartering a vehicle. You have at least 5 minutes of inactivity before your selections are removed from your cart and made available to others. Located at 8,200 ft elevation, with 54 sites. Click here to learn more about driving on Trail Ridge Road. The other exception to the rule of easy driving is Old Fall River Road. 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. Entrance Stations and Visitor Centers - Rocky Mountain National Learn about getting to Rocky, the shuttle system, driving in the park, and parking in Estes Park. On that page youll see several different permit options such as campground permits, wilderness camping permits, etc. It is recommended that you travel in a counter clockwise direction along Bear Lake. of the main entrance. Park streams may contain Giardia and other water borne diseases, so always purify water before drinking. There is no limit on number of tents, but no more than five vehicles per site are allowed. Learn all about the Estes Park Hiker Shuttle. Elevation: 12,712 (Flattop Mtn - 12,324) Range: Rocky Read more about park pass options below. WebThe guide will familiarize you with the mountain and help you on your climb. Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, will be retiring in June. 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. All sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations taken). Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with capacity of less than 16 passengers. Be careful on snowfields, particularly on steep slopes where avalanche dangers may be high. WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, only credit and debit cardsnot cashare being accepted at park entrance stations. 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. 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. WebThese include: The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. The Federal lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) funds projects in Rocky Mountain National Park that will help improve visitor experience and protect resources for future generations. Rangers can also provide information on what to do in the park. Take the time to know the upcoming forecast for the park. So, if you were visiting on July 10th and forgot to get your permit on June 1st, you could try at 5pm on July 9th. 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. Buses leave every 15 minutes from 6:30am until 7:30pm. 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. Elevation: 12,712 (Flattop Mtn - 12,324) Range: Rocky Mountain National Park. Youll have views of Little Horseshoe Park and the Mummy Range on your left as you travel east. Fees are good for the same group for seven days. From there you can walk on the paved riverwalk and be in town in just a couple of minutes. It is about 1.5 hours to the park. March in Rocky Mountain National Park is cold and snowy, but milder than January and February. The Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park visitor centers are popular destinations for getting oriented with the park's layout, the former having been designed by students of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are the many options for national park entrance fees. Cross country skiing:Since Trail Ridge Road is closed up to Many Parks Curve, it is a perfect place to ski and see snow-capped peaks and views from some of the highest points in the Park. Keep your eyes peeled as you may spot an elk or a bighorn sheep! If you begin to feel sick or experience any physical problems descend to lower elevations. WebRocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. Always check NPS.gov for RMNP entry details, timed-entry reservations, and park regulations. When you complete this, youll be sent a confirmation via email. Colorado Traction Control Law may be implemented as conditions require. - 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. At Grand Lake in March, there is a high of 43F (1C) and 9F (-16C) and an average snowfall of 13.4 inches. 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. In 2022, the National Park Service in conjunction with the Town of Estes Park are re-implementing the Hiker Shuttle. Large vehicles or trailers should avoid this road. Chartering an appropriately sized vehicle will make keeping your group together during travel easy. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Located at 8,160 ft elevation, this campground is open year-round and has 245 sites. 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. Visit the national park's shuttle page for more details. There are no shoulders and few guardrails. The Information Office is open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. (Note: You will need a timed-entry permit with Bear Lake access to use the shuttle system.) Our 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Boondocking Spots are all within 20 min. Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between January and May? 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. Whether you're planning a single visit or coming back multiple times a year, enjoy the convenience of purchasing a Rocky Mountain National Park site-specific digital pass online before you arrive. Both routes are based at the Park & Ride shuttle bus parking area across from the Glacier Basin Campground. 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. On December 1, the road will revert to trail status and bicycles and leashed pets will not be allowed on Old Fall River Road. The Bear Lake Road area is the busiest place in the park and so has its own permitting system which runs from 5am until 6pm. Covers one motorcycle. 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 There are no sit-down restaurants inside of the park, but the neighboring towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake have numerous options. In addition, there is a $50 pass available that allows entry into Rocky Mountain National Park for one year. Lastly, youll go through the checkout process and pay for the permits. their lives enriched, by the wonders of our amazing planet. 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. Hallett is a 12,712 feet peak on the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. A 20-minute film on the park is also shown on request. You can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. The breathtaking winter wonderland of Rocky Mountain National Park in March should be high on your list. EXPLORE ROCKY MOUNTAINS WITH AWARD WINNING GUIDES Explore Rocky 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 You will not need a 4-wheel drive vehicle or any off-road capabilities to drive any of the park roads during the summer season. In the west, moose can be found in Kawuneeche Valley. There are several entrances to the park which do not have fees on the east side of the park: Most of the major trailheads in the park are accessible by car and have parking lots depending on the popularity of the route. 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. Located at 9,500 ft elevation and open year-round, this tent-only campground has 26 sites. There are two routes: The Bear Lake Route and the Moraine Park Route. At the same time, you should remember that these roads are for getting places. 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. A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At this point its a good idea to take a quick water and snack break, as the trail soon becomes very steep. guests discover new landscapes, ecosystems, knowledge and ways to Drive around them slowly and carefully. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while you peak at grazing elk and snow-capped peaks. The biggest benefit of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter is that there are significantly less visitors during the winter months. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations 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). 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. 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. Finally, make sure to bring at least 3 liters of water. A visitor may prove their status as a veteran or a gold star dependent by presenting one of the following: Additional guidance regarding veterans and Gold Star dependents will be forthcoming. The eastern and more developed side of the park is dominated by striking valleys and cirques that were formed through heavy glaciation and is a good starting point for first-time visitors. A great stopping point along the road is the Alpine Visitor Center at the Fall River Pass, which sits at almost 11,800 feet. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Choose snacks that are high in calories as your body will be burning calories to keep you warm in the cold weather. It is a perfect time to explore trails on snowshoes, dance on ice skates, or hit the sledding hills. Your bus ticket includes a timed-entry permit, but you must already have a park pass. CO Once it is in your cart, no one else can purchase it and you can select other dates. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that dont have a physical entrance to drive through. Though there are no hot springs within the national park boundary, 20 miles southwest of the Grand Lake entrance sits Hot Sulphur Springs.