Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups. 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. Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines are the dominate conifer trees in the area, although they have been recently dying in large numbers due to an outbreak of pine beetle infestation. Route: Flattop Mountain Trail & Hallett Peak, West Slopes Learn how to be prepared for winter conditions. On the north side, of the lake youll see Half Mountain and Longs Peak. In addition, be aware of the weather. The entire park is above 7,500 feet and ranges as high as 14,259 feet, so it is important to take time to acclimate before undertaking strenuous activities. The breathtaking winter wonderland of Rocky Mountain National Park in March should be high on your list. The two main entrances on either side of the park Grand Lake and Estes Park are quite different. WebWildlife bill moose sighting on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park from the Estes Park, Colorado Fall River Entrance. The trail then flattens out and drops a bit before reaching the summit trail junction. On average, the month of March sees about 156,000 visitors more than double the number in February. Winter wildlife watching: The quiet winter months are a spectacular time to spot wildlife. Visit the Colorado Department of Transportation for road conditions outside the park. Many of the trails in the Eastern Part of the Park can be reached via shuttle buses. 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. One of the most dominating features in the southeast area of the park is Longs Peak at 14,259 feet, which is surrounded on all sides by several peaks well about 13,000 feet, including Mount Meeker, Mount Lady Washington, and Storm Peak. Other park campgrounds are first-come, first-served, and fill on most summer days. In March, hiking trails can be explored by snowshoe or cross country skisminus the summer crowds. There are five drive-in campgrounds and two group camping areas in the park (one group campground is winter only, one is summer only). 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. Drive around them slowly and carefully. This means the total seating capacity, not the actual number of people. All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at Rocky's staffed park entrance stations. 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 Youll travel along switchbacks amongst ponderosa, aspen, and fir trees. Colorado Traction Control Law may be implemented as conditions require. WebYour Rocky Mountain Hideout! Using lower gears while going downhill is strongly advised. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations She will speak to the League of Women Voters on Reservations accepted and recommended from May 26 to October 4, 2010, and it is first-come, first-served the remainder of the year. 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. 970 586-1206 One of the most spectacular sights in the mid to late fall is to walk through a grove of Aspen trees as their leaves change from green to gold. 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. Here are primary park passes for Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Though there are no hot springs within the national park boundary, 20 miles southwest of the Grand Lake entrance sits Hot Sulphur Springs. 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. It is a perfect time to explore trails on snowshoes, dance on ice skates, or hit the sledding hills. March is the snowiest month in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it milder than January and February temperature-wise. QGIS Geographic Information System. 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. Wear and reapply sunscreen often. 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. This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Old Fall River Road is open to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers through November 30. 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. Learn about getting to Rocky, the shuttle system, driving in the park, and parking in Estes Park. Near the beginning of the trail, near the eastern shore of Bear Lake, is a fantastic view of Hallett Peak. About 1.5 miles along the trail is Paul Bunyans boot a rock formation in the shape of a giant hiking boot with a hole in the sole. According to U.S. National Park Service statistics, \( 46.7 \% \) of visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park in 2018 entered through the Beaver Meadows park entrance, \( 24.3 \% \) of visitors entered through the Fall River park entrance, 6.3\% of If caught in a lightning storm above treeline get away from summits and isolated trees and rocks and find shelter (but avoid small cave entrances and overhangs) and crouch down on your heels. 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! Estes Park These are the interagency passes which are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. 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. (Map created using: QGIS.org, 2021. If youre new to high elevations and alpine and sub-alpine exploration, consider booking aguided snowshoe tour. Learn how to be prepared for winter conditions. One of the biggest drawbacks of a March visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is road closures. On that page youll see several different permit options such as campground permits, wilderness camping permits, etc. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. List an itinerary with dates corresponding to campsites or crosscountry area where you plan to stay. To be sure, it is still winter, but the temperatures are much more mild than December, January, and February. EXPLORE ROCKY MOUNTAINS WITH AWARD WINNING GUIDES Explore Rocky From the Bear Lake trailhead, youll branch off to the left to join Dream Lake trail. The first is to park in the large parking garage behind the town visitor center. Site by, Learn all about the Estes Park Hiker Shuttle, 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. Those who are nervous around heights may want to leave the driving to someone else for the higher portions of this road. The small sites (#1 & 13) fit 9 - 15 people and a maximum of three vehicles. The small sites fit 10 - 15 people, medium sites 16 - 25 people, and large sites 26 - 40 people. 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! Note that snow conditions should be considered before hiking as higher elevations will be snow-covered later into the year. These passes are available for purchase in-person at park entrance stations or via the USGS Online Store. Rocky Mountain Park Entrance Fees As with all National Parks, there is a fee for entering Rocky Mountains National Park. WebThese include: The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. For wildlife seekers, Rocky Mountain National Park offers some fantastic opportunities to view the variety of animals that live inside its borders. 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. Site by. 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. The Information Office is open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. Ice climbing:Rocky Mountain National Park is a world-class destination for ice climbing. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Turn right at the trail junction a half mile in marked Cub Lake Trail. Winters bring heavy snowfall, and although there is rarely a deep-freeze the park gets significantly less visitors. RMNP is one of the few national parks that offers a one-day vehicle entrance pass. You may obtain day-of-trip permits in person year round. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, "Wildland Trekking is about Inspired Exploration. 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. Entrance Stations and Visitor Centers - Rocky Mountain National 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. 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. Recreational vehicle and trailer length limit is 35 feet and shuttle bus access is available. A week pass entrance fee is $30 for a private vehicle. If you plan on visiting for more than one day, pick up You just have to arrive before the permitting time begins in the morning or after the permitting time ends in the afternoon or evening. Winter cyclists will have access to Upper Beaver Meadows Road, Moraine Park Campground, Endovalley Road, Aspenglen Campground and High Drive. 80517. 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. 80517. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. 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. On the east side of the Park, elk descend down to the montane meadows and even into the town of Estes Park. Hiking in the winter is a chance to experience the Rocky Mountains at their most majesticsnow-covered peaks, frozen alpine lakes, and evergreen branches bowing to their snowpack. Read on for our complete guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in March. Then there is another class of passes that also work. Visitation to Rocky Mountain National Park has grown so much over the years that it has begun to take a significant toll on the health of the park itself and on the visitor experience. 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. Additionally, rain, snow, ice, or fog can appear any moment without warning, making it even more treacherous. There are a couple of exceptions to this. Extreme weather can change the status of Trail Ridge Road at any timebe ready to adjust your travel plans if needed, and always check the weather before you start your drive. To experience the true beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park, get out onto some of the 355 miles of trail that wind in, around, and over the Continental Divide, Wild Basin, Mummy Range, and more. The trail begins to climb up to Nymph Lake with views of Longs Peak. 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. If you are not driving, the Estes Park Shuttle [2] offers reasonable one-way and round-trip rates from DEN to downtown Estes Park. In the west, moose can be found in Kawuneeche Valley. Park streams may contain Giardia and other water borne diseases, so always purify water before drinking. Arches 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. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. 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. Youll then need to navigate to the page for Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead to Longs Peak and other destinations is a short distance away. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U Read more Old Fall River 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. 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. 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. Offers natural history exhibits and a half-mile nature trail. Shuttle buses run between many trailheads, Moraine Park Visitor Center, and Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds. dialed-in logistics all serve a common goal: to create unforgettable During the winter season, motorists cannot drive over the top of Trail Ridge Road. CO Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between January and May? All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that dont have a physical entrance to drive through. 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. 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. Continue west alongside Cub Creek and Beaver Ponds. 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. 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. Annual and lifetime passes may not be used to pay for commercial tours. WebYou could take Peak to Peak Hwy from I70 to Estes Park - that one is open year round. Rocky Mountain National Park 1-Day Pass: $25/vehicle 7-Day Pass: $35/vehicle Annual Pass: $70 Mesa Verde National Park 7-Day Pass Jan-April: $15/vehicle 7-Day Pass May-Oct: