Brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout abound. Show receipt for reentry. While safe to drive for most passenger vehicles, Old Fall River Road has a dirt surface and is winding and narrow. Our goal is for people to be inspired, and There is no limit on number of tents, but no more than five vehicles per site are allowed. - 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. For wildlife seekers, Rocky Mountain National Park offers some fantastic opportunities to view the variety of animals that live inside its borders. WebThese include: The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. 970 586-1206 Rocky Mountain National Park Keep in mind youll be at alpine tundra elevation, so be prepared for changing weather and potentially high winds. Web7-Day Motorcycle Entrance Pass - $30.00 Rocky Entrance Fee - motorcycle entrance pass valid for 7 consecutive days Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass - $70.00 Fees are not to be sent when requesting reservations, but are payable (by cash or check only) when the permit is issued. In Estes Park in March, you can expect a high of 44F (6C) and low of 23F (-5C) and an average snowfall of 8.6 inches. 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. Looking for an epic spring break trip? Fees are good for the same group for seven days. Be prepared for varying conditions when driving on Trail Ridge Road. Rental cars are available at the Denver International Airport. Just past 4th Street, veer right onto U.S. 36 and follow it for 20 miles to Estes Park. Visit the national park's shuttle page for more details. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Your bus ticket includes a timed-entry permit, but you must already have a park pass. This meeting is free and open to the public. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, only credit and debit cardsnot cashare being accepted at park entrance stations. Because the wildlife is concentrated to a smaller area, there is a great chance to view them with a spectacular winter backdrop. WebYou can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. 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. WebPre-Climb Comments . There is also a bookstore with items for purchase. The first bus departs from the Park & Ride at 7 a.m., and the last bus leaves at 7 p.m. all-inclusive trip styles, award-winning guides, exceptional food, and Winter wildlife watching: The quiet winter months are a spectacular time to spot wildlife. 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. Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 30 feet. If you plan on visiting for more than one day, pick up 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. Learn about getting to Rocky, the shuttle system, driving in the park, and parking in Estes Park. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear It is a perfect time to explore trails on snowshoes, dance on ice skates, or hit the sledding hills. Learn how to be prepared for winter conditions. off the Bear Lake Road, 1 1/2 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance, Open May 1 through October 11 (2010 season). If youre short on time or lacking the desire to plan, it is a better idea to aim for a visit in the warmer months when weather is pleasant and the full scope of facilities are open. The Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Roads are closed during the winter and usually do not re-open util late spring at the earliest. Other park dangers include wildlife - never feed wild animals, and always give them their space. The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary 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. This group campground is tent-only. This road is very narrow and steep, with sharp turns. Rocky Mountain National Park operates on a timed permit entry system during the summer (May to October), and entry to the park during every season requires a $30 vehicle entrance pass. Estes Park is more of a year-round town with facilities open in the off-season. CO Reservations accepted and recommended. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. The medium sites (#2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12) fit 16-25 people and a maximum of four vehicles. Feds sue Fort Collins water company for a Grand River Ditch - Steve Cundy and Scott Cundy, Co-founders and Managers, All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC 2023, California: Yosemite, Death Valley & More, Montana / Wyoming: Yellowstone, Tetons & More, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in April, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in August, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in December, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in February, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in January, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in July, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in June, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in May, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in November, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in October, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in September, Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March. As well as a timed-entry permit you must also show a national park (or interagency) pass to gain entry. Old Fall River Road is open to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers through November 30. 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. 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. Learn all about what to expect visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March (Written by Erin McCarthy). You can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. Getting there: From Denver, follow I-25 North to Exit 243. Rocky Mountain National Park These are the interagency passes which are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. The Grand Lake entrance is about 2.5 hours away from the airport. Slopes & Flattop Mtn, Rocky Mountain National Park Valid for date of purchase. These include: Vehicle or motorcycle entrance passes valid for 1-day only, Vehicle or motorcycle entrance passes valid for 7-consecutive days, The Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Winter cyclists will have access to Upper Beaver Meadows Road, Moraine Park Campground, Endovalley Road, Aspenglen Campground and High Drive. 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. After the third mile, youll arrive at the summit trail junction. Be vigilant for thunderstorms in the early to late afternoons, where lightning can create a serious hazard. Learn all about the Estes Park Hiker Shuttle. Learn all about overnight backpacking camping permits, Learn about Timed Entry Permit Reservations. 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. Of course, any of the roads in the Park present winter driving conditions slippery ice and blowing snow. The A Loop is for tents only, including walk-ins, the B Loop does not allow generators allowed, and the C Loop allows generators. 80517. Road conditions can vary greatly during the winter season. If youre new to snowshoeing, this is a perfect short hike to get you started. The hikes below are all at a relatively high elevation where the snow will be reflecting back at you, so make sure to put sunscreen on to protect your skin. 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. 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. Rangers can also provide information on what to do in the park. This is one of the most popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park with good reason. Youll hit a trail junction about a tenth of a mile in. , There are no shoulders and few guardrails. 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. Feds sue Fort Collins water company for a Grand River Ditch This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Annual and Lifetime passes purchased online take 24 weeks to arrive by mail. but it can also be stressful. Old Fall River Road was built over 7 years, beginning in July 1913 and dedicated on September 14, 1920. Fall River Entrance Offers natural history exhibits and a half-mile nature trail. Sidles will be retiring in June. Trail Ridge Road closed Monday after being open since May 27, according a park news release. They cannot be purchased at the entrance stations to the national park. However, you can snowshoe or cross country ski on Old Fall River Road in the winter. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park Finally, make sure to bring at least 3 liters of water. The nice thing about using the app is that you can put more time on your parking place wherever you are right from your phone, if you plan to stay longer than you paid for. 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 east side of Rocky Mountain National Park at Estes Park (7,500 feet) has less snow but still has cold temperatures even at lower elevations. On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that established the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. In addition, there is a $50 pass available that allows entry into Rocky Mountain National Park for one year. 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. If you missed this opportunity, you still have a chance to get a permit. A bookstore offers items for purchase and handicapped accessible restrooms are available. A large percentage of those who visit Rocky Mountain National Park fly to Denver International Airport (DIA). Here are primary park passes for Rocky Mountain National Park. A second option is Sprague Lake, a 3.3 mile loop that is perfect for the beginner skier since it is mostly flat. Soak in Hot Springs: After a long winters day, there is nothing better than defrosting in a natural hot spring. Altitude sickness symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat and insomnia. Bear Lake - Latitude: 40.31197, Longitude: -105.64542. For all reservations: During the busy summer months, if you have a permit reservation, you must pick up the permit by 10 AM on the first day of your planned backcountry/wilderness stay, otherwise, the permit will be cancelled in its entirety, and given to other backpackers. CO 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. 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. You can also call the backcountry office at (970) 586-1242 to reserve a permit. From meadows found in the montane life Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. You are required to have one of these park passes to enter the park day or night. There is almost always space here and a free town shuttle comes by regularly to take you the short distance into town. Read more about park pass options below. Limit of 12 per party for group campsites.). It is about a 90-minute drive to the eastern edge of the park from the airport. Youll likely pay the $25 daily fee if youre traveling with children. Located East of Trail Ridge Road near Grand Lake, Colorado, located on U.S. Highway 34 just west of the Fall River Entrance Station. Another option is to park at the Fairgrounds. To minimize impacts on the park's resources, the number of permits issued is limited.