Find out What's New in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement a pilot reservation system using timed entry in 2024, beginning May 24.

The pilot is similar to that used in 2023 with two types of reservations available...

Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of any upcoming wet or winter weather conditions to burn piles of slash generated from several fuels reduction projects and hazard tree removals...

Rocky Mountain National Park is seeking public comment on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the park’s long-range day use visitor access plan. This plan is needed to provide day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences...

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps recently marked its 20th anniversary by fielding the largest crew and accomplishing its most ambitious work program in its history.

Working with National Park Service and National Forest Service counterparts, the 54-member corps improved some of the most popular recreational resources in Colorado...

The Sprague Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project is now complete inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Located along Bear Lake Road, the Sprague Lake Loop is a 0.7-mile trail around the lake. Sprague Lake is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy scenic views of the lake and the Continental Divide as well as activities like fishing and wildlife viewing...

The October 2023 edition of The Rocky Report includes information about upcoming weather, Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road closures, the Timed Entry Reservation system ending for 2023, Visitor Centers moving to winter hours, construction updates at the Fall River Entrance and Moraine Park Campground and construction updates in Estes Park...

Today, Wednesday, October 18, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) officially closed for the season to through travel. Many popular driving destinations for this time of year include Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, and Horseshoe Park on the east side of the park as well as the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of the park, are all open...

Trail Ridge Road is in the process of being closed due to incoming weather and drifting snow on the road at higher elevations. The closures are currently at Milner Pass on the west side of the park and Rainbow Curve on the east side of the park...

Yesterday, September 29, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers continued search efforts for Chad Pallansch, 49, of Fort Collins, Colorado. He was reported overdue on September 28, and park rangers confirmed his vehicle was still parked at the North Inlet Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park...

Rocky Mountain National Park announces that hazardous fuels reduction projects are planned to take place in strategic locations this fall and winter season within Rocky Mountain National Park on and near Deer Mountain, as well as within the park boundary west of the Allenspark Trailhead...

Old Fall River Road will be closing for the season to vehicles beginning Tuesday, October 3. The road will be closed to all uses through Friday, October 6, for park staff to conduct road maintenance...

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 2023 Indigenous Connections programming continues this Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, 2023 with Native songs and dances performed by the award-winning singer-songwriter, Shelley Morningsong, and professional Native dancer and storyteller, Fabian Fantenelle...

A new YouTube channel on Rocky Mountain National Park has recently launched. It is designed to provide vital visitor information and education enabling park visitors to have an even better experience...

On September 1, 2023, Rocky Trail Press released the second edition of its award-winning book Wild Light, by author and photographer Erik Stensland that showcases the beauty and wonder of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Beginning on September 1, annual meadow closures go into effect in Rocky Mountain National Park to prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating season, also known as the elk rut...

Rocky Mountain National Park staff has announced the Prospectus Release for a business opportunity to provide seasonal firewood sales to eastside campgrounds within the park. The prospectus outlines this business opportunity for selling firewood in the campgrounds, describes the Contract, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal...

On the morning of Monday, August 14, recovery efforts were completed in the Flying Dutchman couloir for the body of a 21-year-old female from Severance, Colorado. Park rangers requested assistance from a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control helicopter and helitack crew...

One Fatality Above Chasm Lake and Two Others Seriously Injured

On Saturday afternoon, August 12, a 21-year-old female from Severance, Colorado died after an approximate 300-foot fall. A 25-year-old male from San Angelo, Texas also fell approximately 300 feet and suffered critical injuries...

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy invites women and those who identify as female to explore a new series of Field Institute courses at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) called “Bettie Courses.” These educational opportunities are designed to encourage women to experience the outdoors while learning about the natural environment, conservation efforts, and building confidence in outdoor skills...

On the afternoon of Monday, July 17, a 51-year-old male from Carencro, Louisiana was found unresponsive a little over one mile from the Mount Ida Trailhead by park visitors hiking in the area. They notified park rangers via a personal locator beacon and began CPR on the individual...

On the evening of Tuesday, July 11, 2023, park rangers received a report of two climbers stranded and unable to complete their climb on Longs Peak. Neither party was injured. Rangers remained in contact with both climbers overnight and Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members set out at first light on Wednesday, July 12...

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, a 26-year-old female from Boulder, Colorado died after an approximate 500-foot-fall while free-solo climbing on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park...

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, a 25-year-old male from Providence, Rhode Island died after falling and being pulled underwater at West Creek Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. His body was recovered last evening...

Old Fall River Road will open to vehicles on Saturday, July 1. It is currently closed to all uses, including bicycles and pedestrians, until Friday morning, June 30, for dust abatement. This historic road normally opens by the fourth of July weekend...

Twenty years ago, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (now the Rocky Mountain Conservancy) leadership and Colorado philanthropist Bruce Dines had a simple idea: why not launch a Conservation Corps for Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) modeled after the post-Depression era Civilian Conservation Corps? With Dines’ initial financial support, the Conservation Corps was established to expose young people to rigorous service work, provide education and experience in natural resource conservation, and develop the next generation of environmental stewards...

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Gary Ingram as superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ingram will begin his new assignment in August. As superintendent, Ingram will oversee 150 permanent staff and approximately 250 seasonal staff and will work to continue to address complex challenges such as climate change and wildland fire; ecosystem restoration; and managing day use visitation that sustains the park's resources and offers varied quality visitor experiences...

Beginning Tuesday, July 18, through Friday, July 21, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance...

Sheep Mountain Closure Added, Other Closures Removed/Continued for the Protection of Nesting Raptors

Each year, to protect breeding and nesting sites used by raptors (also known as birds of prey), Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in the park...

Bustang is once again providing seasonal transportation service to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub on Saturdays and Sundays through October 1, 2023. At Park & Ride, Bustang riders can transfer to the park's free Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to reach destinations like Moraine Park and Bear Lake...

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will open Friday, May 26, at 6 a.m. for the season. Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy conditions...

On Sunday afternoon, May 21, park rangers were notified via a satellite communication device that a 37-year-old male climber from Fort Collins, Colorado, had been injured in an approximate 30-foot roped fall in a mixed route on Taylor Peak...

Reedy Press is pleased to announce the release of our newest guidebook, 100 Things to Do in Estes Park, by Dawn Wilson.

Rocky Trail Press (the sponsor of this website) is thrilled to share the news that they have won the award for "Travel Book of the Year" at the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Awards. The awards, organized by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), honor the best of independent publishing in the United States...

Today, the press was invited for a visit to the top of Trail Ridge Road to watch the National Park Service hard at work clearing the snow with the aim of getting the road opened by Memorial Weekend...

The Sprague Lake Trail, Picnic and Parking Area will be closed to all users on Thursday, May 18. This closure will be in place for the safe staging of building materials and equipment that will be used to replace and repair a 210-foot-long section of the Sprague Lake Boardwalk...

On Monday, May 1, park rangers were notified of a missing man in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Kevin Sypher was last seen on Sunday afternoon, April 30, in the Sandbeach Lake parking area near the Wild Basin Entrance Station...

Beginning on June 1, Rocky Mountain National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance and permit fees. Visitors who are only able to pay with cash may purchase a prepaid pass from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store at Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Kawuneeche Visitor Centers...

Rocky Mountain National Park will operate the Hiker Shuttle during the 2023 summer season beginning on Friday, May 26. 7-day service will operate May 26 through September 4. Beginning on September 9, Saturday and Sunday only service will continue through October 22...

Construction began in early November for a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U...

Celebrate National Park Week, Earth Day, and National Junior Ranger Day at Rocky Mountain National Park. What is National Park Week? This is a week-long celebration of our national parks that begins on Saturday, April 22 and continues through Sunday, April 30...

Hidden Valley is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most popular winter destinations, where families come to sled and play in the snow while skiers and snowboarders head up the mountains for some adrenaline-fueled backcountry runs...

On April 7th I put on my backcountry skis and headed up Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center. I've been waiting to do this for a while, but there seem to only be a few days each year when conditions are right...

Lots of new things are happening. We have our big spring sale, the release of an audio book, our 2024 calendar, news from the national park, new photos and more.

Each year, to protect breeding and nesting sites of raptors (also known as birds of prey), Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in the park. Raptors that are protected include multiple species of hawks, owls, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons...

For many, winter is their favorite time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is less crowded, yet alive with the beauty of the season. Weekends are busier than weekdays. For those who are prepared, winter is an enchanting time to explore RMNP...

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system beginning on May 26, 2023. Previous use of the reservation system has eased congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park...

Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of any upcoming wet or winter weather conditions to burn piles of slash generated from several fuels reduction projects and hazard tree removals...

Monday, October 24, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park officially closed for the season to through travel. Many popular driving destinations for this time of year including Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley, are all open...

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 Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U...

Old Fall River Road will be closing for the season to vehicles on Monday, October 3. The road will be closed to all uses through Friday, October 7, for park staff to conduct road maintenance. Old Fall River Road will reopen temporarily to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers for Saturday October 8, through Monday, October 10...

On Sunday, September 18, recovery operations took place for Russell Jacobs, 25, from Westminster, Colorado near the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park's Search and Rescue Team contracted with Trans Aero helicopter to assist with prepositioning park rangers and aerial recovery operations...

Beginning the week of September 19, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Crews will be re-building the St. Vrain Bridge on the Wild Basin Trail (1.5 miles from the Wild Basin Trailhead). This work will improve visitor access and safety on the bridge...

Beginning on September 1, park officials will put annual closures in place for travel on foot or horse off established roadways or designated trails from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. In 2020, the closure time extended to 10 a...

The Milner Pass Parking Area and trailhead will be closed to all users beginning on Wednesday, September 7, for the construction of a new vault toilet facility. This project is anticipated to be completed by mid-October, as weather and conditions permit...

Due to golden eagle nesting activity, closures have been extended through August 15 at Sundance Buttress, Thunder Buttress and Needle Summit in the Lumpy Ridge area. These closures include the named formations...

The National Park Service has re-closed the Upper Tonahutu Creek Trail for ongoing evaluation.

After nearly two years of closure, the Green Mountain Trail and the Tonahutu Trail have reopened to hikers.

Beginning Tuesday, July 19, through Friday, July 22, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance...

On Wednesday June 28th, 2022 there was a large area of falling rock above Lake Haiyaha in Chaos Canyon. The rock fall was on the south side of Hallett Peak. While there are often falling rocks in the mountains, the scale of this event was extrordinary with massive sections of the mountain breaking away and bouncing down the mountain...

Rocky Mountain National Park just shared this update on the recent visit of Chuck Sams, Director of the National Park Service. He visited the park during the last week of June 2022.

Welcome to the new Rocky Mountain National Park.com website. We just launched this new website to provide you with everything you need to know to have an amazing experience in Rocky.

Have you ever wondered why Trail Ridge Road needs to close during the winter, why it takes so long to open in the spring, or why it can close so randomly at other times of year?

Rocky Mountain National Park will be operating the Hiker Shuttle from May 27 through October 10, from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride Transit Hub located on Bear Lake Road. As part of the park’s overall pilot timed entry system, two things will be needed to ride the Hiker Shuttle: reservation tickets for all passengers plus a valid park entrance pass...