In March, hiking trails can be explored by snowshoe or cross country skisminus the summer crowds. Be prepared for changing conditions by dressing in layers and always carrying gear appropriate for both cold, wet weather and bright, sunny conditions. Marmots seem to be ubiquitous above the tree line, especially on well-hiked trails around Longs Peak. 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. The stone steps in the trail can be 15-20 inches high. 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. Grand Lake can be reached from I-70 via US-40 which runs through Empire and over the Berthoud Pass. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. WebBe advised that visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter months takes proper prior planning. Displays include a topographical relief map of the park and exhibits about the Colorado River and its people. 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. The A Loop is for tents only, including walk-ins, the B Loop does not allow generators allowed, and the C Loop allows generators. Estes Park, The other exception to the rule of easy driving is Old Fall River Road. The 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. 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). 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. Fall River Entrance 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. Finally, make sure to bring at least 3 liters of water. There is almost always space here and a free town shuttle comes by regularly to take you the short distance into town. Bonus: on the weekends there is a warming hut nearby. All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at Rocky's staffed park entrance stations. Of course, any of the roads in the Park present winter driving conditions slippery ice and blowing snow. 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. 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! Finally, theGrand Lake Nordic Centerhas twenty-one miles of groomed cross country ski trails with stunning views of the Continental Divide. Timed-entry permits are NOT required from October 11th 2022 through mid-May 2023. Road conditions can vary greatly during the winter season. Make sure to pack more food than you think you need. 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. Because the wildlife is concentrated to a smaller area, there is a great chance to view them with a spectacular winter backdrop. There is a book store and snack shop as well as accessible restrooms and vault toilets. March in Rocky Mountain National Park is cold and snowy, but milder than January and February. The second route, known as the Moraine Park Route, runs from Park and Ride to Moraine Park with stops at Sprague Lake, Hollowell Park, Tuxedo Park, Moraine Park Campground, Cub Lake Trailhead, and Fern Lake Bus Stop. The trail then flattens out and drops a bit before reaching the summit trail junction. The timed-entry permit system could change as the national park refines the system. The Bear Lake Route shuttle makes the round trip between the Park & Ride and Bear Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round on both the east and west side of the park. Its a challenging activity that requires patience and the right conditions. Chartering an appropriately sized vehicle will make keeping your group together during travel easy. Take the time to know the upcoming forecast for the park. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while you peak at grazing elk and snow-capped peaks. 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. Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with capacity of less than 16 passengers. 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. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. On the east side of the Park, elk descend down to the montane meadows and even into the town of Estes Park. About two miles in, the trail begins to climb through aspen groves and rocky terrain and eventually to the pine-covered shores of Cub Lake. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Turn right at the trail junction a half mile in marked Cub Lake Trail. This road is very narrow and steep, with sharp turns. 970 586-1206 A bright, sunny day can turn windy and wet within a matter of minutes with high winds and driving rain or snow. The two main entrances on either side of the park Grand Lake and Estes Park are quite different. From late May through October 2nd there is a bus that leaves from Table Mesa Park-N-Ride on weekends and holidays. The day pass was implemented in October 2015. These park passes can be purchased at the entry station or online. Depending on which entrance you choose, there are rentals for both activities available in Estes Park (east entrance) and Grand Lake (west entrance). Most of the roads in the park can only be accessed by personal car as the shuttle only covers a very small portion of the park. Several different entrance fee and pass options are available. Reservations accepted and recommended from May 26 to October 4, 2010, and it is first-come, first-served the remainder of the year. To minimize impacts on the park's resources, the number of permits issued is limited. All sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations taken). 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. Sightsee on a Bus Tour: Ifyoud rather stay warm and dry to see the sights, there is an option to book a winter bus tour with Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Winters bring heavy snowfall, and although there is rarely a deep-freeze the park gets significantly less visitors. Old Fall River Road was built over 7 years, beginning in July 1913 and dedicated on September 14, 1920. Valid for date of purchase. Turn right where a steep climb to the summit and stunning 360 views await you. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. 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. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National 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. This campground is well-situated for exploring the eastern part of the park and is very clean. 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. 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. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. If you begin to feel sick or experience any physical problems descend to lower elevations. dialed-in logistics all serve a common goal: to create unforgettable Even driving at high elevation can affect sensitive individuals. 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. 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. 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. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 Continue west alongside Cub Creek and Beaver Ponds. Discover what different park entrance fee and pass options are available. At this point its a good idea to take a quick water and snack break, as the trail soon becomes very steep. Peep the cliffs in the Northern area at Many Parks Curve of the park to spot bighorn sheep. 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. The trail begins to climb up to Nymph Lake with views of Longs Peak. 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. 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. Grand Lake Entrance. It costs just $5 and stops at the Estes Park Visitor Center before continuing on to the Park & Ride Transit Hub in Rocky Mountain National Park where you can connect with the park's shuttle system in the Bear Lake Corridor. CATHY ALPER/LWV. CATHY ALPER/LWV. WebAll visitors at Rocky Mountain National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. Find all the details here. What do I need to know for camping this winter? Reservations accepted and recommended. on U.S. Route 34, five miles west of the town of Estes Park, near the Fall River Entrance to the park. There are a number of different national park passes available that can be purchased at the park entrance stations or online. There are numerous electric car chargers in Estes Park and also a couple of electric car chargers in Grand Lake. Youll travel along switchbacks amongst ponderosa, aspen, and fir trees. On December 1, the road will revert to trail status and bicycles and leashed pets will not be allowed on Old Fall River Road. A few of the most memorable hikes are listed below. Offers a 20-minute film on the park (show times on the hour and half-hour throughout the day). There are two routes: The Bear Lake Route and the Moraine Park Route. 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. So, if you want to enjoy watching animals or enjoy the view, dont stop in the middle of the road and block traffic. If you choose the second option, you can visit everywhere else in the park except for the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Estes Park is more of a One of the biggest drawbacks of a March visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is road closures. This campground is open year-round starting on May 28, 2010. Read more about park pass options below. Park passes however are required all year long, but they can be purchased at the park entrance. Eleven miles of the paved road through the heart of the park is above 11,500 feet and 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. Drive to the next pull-over and walk back to enjoy the view. 22. The permits are always for the following month. Driving in Estes Park can be a little challenging as it is a small town with a lot of visitors. Another option is to park at the Fairgrounds. Find out all you need to know about transportation in and around 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. WebHalf-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Mountains to Sky Tour" - RMNPhotographer. 80517. 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. These are the interagency passes which are part of the America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. Weekend hours vary based on the season. WebThe majority of visitors use the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. The breathtaking winter wonderland of Rocky Mountain National Park in March should be high on your list. Keep in mind youll be at alpine tundra elevation, so be prepared for changing weather and potentially high winds. Synthetic (non-cotton) socks are essential for keeping your feet warm even if they get wet. Estes Park is more of a year-round town with facilities open in the off-season. 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. This means the total seating capacity, not the actual number of 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! Park streams may contain Giardia and other water borne diseases, so always purify water before drinking. It is multi-story and often has space. 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. 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. There are five drive-in campgrounds and two group camping areas in the park (one group campground is winter only, one is summer only). Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, will be retiring in June. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet. When the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is active in RMNP, this means that all vehicles (including 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and 2-Wheel Drive) must have properly rated tires (Mud and Snow, Mountain and Snow or All-Weather Tires) with a minimum of 3/16" tread. CO Located East of Trail Ridge Road near Grand Lake, Colorado, located on U.S. Highway 34 just west of the Fall River Entrance Station. Parking lot sizes vary. (9am-3pm for most of the park, 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road corridor). You just have to arrive before the permitting time begins in the morning or after the permitting time ends in the afternoon or evening. Site by. This recorded phone line has the most up-to-date information on the status of Trail Ridge Road. Be advised that visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter months takes proper prior planning. WebThe main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. Although RMNP is one of the few national parks with a one-day vehicle entrance pass, the fee is not new. In the winter, it will be much less crowded and all the more breathtaking. 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. QGIS Geographic Information System. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It is imperative to check the current road conditions before you head out. Trail Ridge Road is an actual highway connecting Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road is only open for seven miles (up to Many Parks Curve) and Old Fall River Road is completely closed to vehicular traffic. Visit the Colorado Department of Transportation for road conditions outside the park. The day pass was implemented back in October of 2015. The large sites (7, 8 & 9) fit 26- 40 people and a maximum of five vehicles. Discover what different park entrance fee and pass options are available. If you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between late May and mid-October, a timed-entry permit is required between 9am and 3pm for most of the park and from 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road. Most of the roads in the park have little to no shoulder, with the added challenge of dealing with heavy summer traffic. Photos from: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013. The National Park does not receive any income for this permitting system. A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Estes Park Mountain Shophas rentals and many of the lodges in town provide free snowshoes for their guests. A bookstore offers items for purchase, and there are handicapped accessible restrooms available. So, if you want to visit in July, youll want to purchase your permit when they go on sale on June 1st. Entrance Fee in advance Pass Discounts for Camping.