Snowshoeing:a visit in March will almost guarantee that you need snowshoes for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Parking lot sizes vary. 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. The medium sites (#2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12) fit 16-25 people and a maximum of four vehicles. 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 is almost always space here and a free town shuttle comes by regularly to take you the short distance into town. 80517. 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. 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). Once it is in your cart, no one else can purchase it and you can select other dates. 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. 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. Ice climbing:Rocky Mountain National Park is a world-class destination for ice climbing. She will speak to the League of Women Voters on (Limit of 7 per party for individual campsites and crosscountry areas. The Information Office is open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mondays - Sundays during the summer. Experience an incredible 9-mile scenic drive on Old Fall River Road, beginning at the Endovalley Picnic Area and ending at the summit of Fall River Pass and the parking area for the Alpine Visitor Center at an elevation of 11,796 feet. However, due to spring break for school-aged kids and college students alike the numbers start to creep up when the calendar page turns to March. This information is available 24 hours a day. 970 586-1206 This is one of the most popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park with good reason. Colorado Learn all about what to expect visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March (Written by Erin McCarthy). Old Fall River Road is open to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers through November 30. The next mile climbs up the western slopes of Deer Mountain along switchbacks. They cannot be purchased at the entrance stations to the national park. Visit the Colorado Department of Transportation for road conditions outside the park. 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. Below are our recommendations for things to do in March: Sledding: Hidden Valley, near Estes Park is a popular sledding spot. 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. Discover what different park entrance fee and pass options are available. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. The park offers 359 miles of trail to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. The trail then flattens out and drops a bit before reaching the summit trail junction. Fees are good for the same group for seven days. The first is to park in the large parking garage behind the town visitor center. To help address the bottleneck of people driving around and around looking for parking, the Town has implemented a paid parking system in the downtown area. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Be advised that visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter months takes proper prior planning. EXPLORE ROCKY MOUNTAINS WITH AWARD WINNING GUIDES Explore Rocky Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. How to Make a Stunning views of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain can be seen from the east shore of Dream Lake. hiking vacations that enrich people's lives." Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 30 feet. 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. Keep your eyes peeled as you may spot an elk or a bighorn sheep! Be careful on snowfields, particularly on steep slopes where avalanche dangers may be high. Other park dangers include wildlife - never feed wild animals, and always give them their space. To learn about the weather in Rocky Mountain National Park, click this link to visit the park's. 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. The timed-entry permit system could change as the national park refines the system. 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. Evidence of Native American peoples visiting the area date back almost 10,000 years, mainly from the Ute and Arapaho communities. 970 586-1206 Rocky Mountain National Park 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. You can only get the timed-entry permit by purchasing them online in advance. Rocky Mountain National Park Boondocking The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations 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. Reservations accepted and recommended from May 26 to October 4, 2010, and it is first-come, first-served the remainder of the year. WebThe 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. Finally, make sure to bring at least 3 liters of water. Several expeditions visited the area in the early to mid 19th century, including one by Joel Estes in 1859 after which he and his family established a homestead that would soon become Estes Park, the resort town that currently sits on the east side of the park. 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. 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. You may make reservations by mail or in person anytime after March 1 for a permit for that calendar year. You can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. 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. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park Off-road mountain biking is prohibited inside the park. Large vehicles or trailers should avoid this road. Elevations range from 8,000 feet to 12,183 feet (2,400 to 3,700 m). Find all the details here. Reservations accepted and recommended. Continue west alongside Cub Creek and Beaver Ponds. The timed-entry permits are per-vehicle, not per person. Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups. Weather and temperatures can vary greatly in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ice fishing: Within the Park borders in the winter months,ice fishing is permitted with a valid Colorado fishing license. Obtaining Permits and Passes for Rocky Mountain National Park On average, the month of March sees about 156,000 visitors more than double the number in February. Road conditions in the Colorado rockies may change quickly due to blowing snow and incoming storms. 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 Rocky Mountain National Park Site Pass - Recreation.gov Click here to learn more about National Park Service Fee Free Days. You will however need a park pass which can be purchased at any of the park entrance stations. So, if you want to enjoy watching animals or enjoy the view, dont stop in the middle of the road and block traffic. On that page youll see several different permit options such as campground permits, wilderness camping permits, etc. If you begin to feel sick or experience any physical problems descend to lower elevations. Located at 8,160 ft elevation, this campground is open year-round and has 245 sites. The small sites fit 10 - 15 people, medium sites 16 - 25 people, and large sites 26 - 40 people. Estes Park Be vigilant for thunderstorms in the early to late afternoons, where lightning can create a serious hazard. Several different entrance fee and pass options are available. Looking for an epic spring break trip? While it is possible to take a shuttle, Uber, or other service to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is strongly recommended that you rent a car, as public transportation in and around the national park is very limited. While parking is relatively ample in the early mornings, many lots are full by mid-morning during the peak summer months. Annual and lifetime passes may not be used to pay for commercial tours. Colorado Route 7 runs from Estes Park to the south, passing by several trailheads, including those for Lily Mountain, the Twin Sisters, the Longs Peak Ranger Station and the Wild Basin. These are the interagency passes which are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. Estes Park Mountain Shophas rentals and many of the lodges in town provide free snowshoes for their guests. On the north side, of the lake youll see Half Mountain and Longs Peak. A trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is likely be a more stressful trip in the winter than in the summer as there is inherently more to prepare and more that could go wrong. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. 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. The greatest danger to most park visitors is due to altitude. Effective Wednesday, November 11, 2020 (Veterans Day) and every day onward, all U.S. armed service veterans and Gold Star dependents shall be granted free entrance to all Department of the Interior managed lands and waters. Water is available at the entrance stations, visitor centers, and during summer months, the campgrounds. A large percentage of those who visit Rocky Mountain National Park fly to Denver International Airport (DIA). They include access to 2,000 federal recreation areas throughout the United States, including Rocky Mountain National Park. Read more about park pass options below. However, you will always need a park pass. It is about 1.5 hours to the park. The cost for timed-entry permits is just $2 per day and is non-refundable. Plan Your Visit - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter wildlife watching: The quiet winter months are a spectacular time to spot wildlife. Winters bring heavy snowfall, and although there is rarely a deep-freeze the park gets significantly less visitors. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. Eleven miles of the paved road through the heart of the park is above 11,500 feet and Considering the park's high altitude, the weather trends closer toward moderate four-season climate than edging on the extremes. Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with capacity of less than 16 passengers. 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. March in Rocky Mountain National Park is cold and snowy, but milder than January and February. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Drive to the next pull-over and walk back to enjoy the view. 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. 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. $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). 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. When setting out on trail in temperatures at or below freezing, be prepared with plenty of extra warm layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, and hiking shoes/boots for your snowshoes. After arriving within the designated time frame, your permit will allow your vehicle to leave and return to the park as needed during that day. Conditions at 5,000 feet are dramatically different from conditions above 8,000 feet. Alternatively, there is a number that you can text to pay for your parking place. From May 25 through Oct. 22, and youll pay a reservation fee on top of the standard park entrance charge. You can also call the backcountry office at (970) 586-1242 to reserve a permit. WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. 80517. One advantage to a winter trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is that oftentimes the lodges are nearly half the price, specifically in Estes Park. The fee goes to recreation.gov to pay for their administration of this system. The Information Office is open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturdays - Sundays during the winter season. At Grand Lake in March, there is a high of 43F (1C) and 9F (-16C) and an average snowfall of 13.4 inches. 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. This road climbs over 4,000 feet (1219 m) of elevation before steeply descending the other side. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in national Early mornings or late evening rides may minimize conflict with other vehicles. 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. There are a couple of exceptions to this. WebYou can call Rocky Mountain National Park's Information Office at 970- 586-1206. Turn right at the trail junction a half mile in marked Cub Lake Trail. The campground is seasonal, opening (in 2010) on May 26 and closing on September. WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry Office or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Covers one motorcycle. Also note that high elevation increases the chance of dehydration, severe sunburn, and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions. 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. From there you can walk on the paved riverwalk and be in town in just a couple of minutes. Finally, theGrand Lake Nordic Centerhas twenty-one miles of groomed cross country ski trails with stunning views of the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountain National Park Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 35 feet and shuttle bus access is available. Elevation: 12,712 (Flattop Mtn - 12,324) Range: Rocky Mountain National Park. It is imperative to check the current road conditions before you head out. There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods (non-refundable). 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. October 25, 2022 | Fall River Entrance Construction will begin the week of October 31, 2022 for a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Bear Lake Route shuttle makes the round trip between the Park & Ride and Bear Lake. Drink several quarts of water per day to ward off dehydration. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system from May 26 through October 22, 2023. Just be aware that at these times the lines to get into the park can be long. Drive around them slowly and carefully. From the west: The Kawuneeche Visitor Center is one mile north of the town of Grand Lake on US-34. In addition, there is a $50 pass available that allows entry into Rocky Mountain National Park for one year. From late May through mid-October there is a shuttle system for the very busy Bear Lake corridor. As well as the pay station, there is app for your phone called Park Mobile which is very easy to use. Offers daily ranger walks and illustrated programs on Saturday night. 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. Passes cover entrance fees at National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife sites, as well as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers sites. If you were not able to obtain a permit, you are not completely out of luck.