by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Visitor GuidesSpring 2019 |
Visitor Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park (NP) in Colorado. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
featured in
![]() | National Parks Pocket Maps | ![]() |
![]() | Colorado Pocket Maps | ![]() |
covered parks
Rocky Mountain
N AT I O N A L PA R K
The Official Newspaper and Trip Planner of Rocky Mountain National Park
2019 Spring | March 17–June 15, 2019
Pasqueflowers, a sure sign of spring’s beginnings at Rocky.
NPS PHOTO / RUSSEL SMITH VIP
Help Us Protect Your Park
Set aside more than 100 years ago,
Rocky Mountain National Park
has been entrusted to your care.
Please take pride in your park and
treat it with respect! Generations
of future visitors will thank you.
How can you help protect Rocky?
• Read and follow important safety
information on page 2, then take
the Rocky Pledge.
Our rules and regulations weren’t
invented to ruin anyone’s fun—they
were created to keep you safe and to
keep your park beautiful. Read and
take heed!
Contact Us
Trail Ridge Road Status
970 586-1222
• Be kind to fellow visitors and
park staff.
As Rocky continues to grow in
popularity, crowded roads, packed
parking lots, and lines at restrooms
and visitor centers are becoming
more common. This can be frustrating, but please be patient. We’re
all here to enjoy Rocky’s splendor.
• Plan ahead for your next visit,
whether tomorrow or in a decade.
Planning ahead can help you avoid
the not-so-fun stuff so that you have
more time and energy to enjoy the
totally-fun stuff. For details, visit our website at nps.gov/romo/.
Hidden Valley Snowplay Status
970 586-1333
Park Information
970 586-1206
TTY
970 586-1319
PLEDGE
to
PROTECT
Rocky Mountain National Park
#rockypledge
Emergencies
911
website nps.gov/romo/
instagram @RockyNPS #RMNP
facebook.com/RockyNPS
twitter @RockyNPS
youtube.com/user/RockyNPS
Things to Do in a Day or Less
Take a Scenic Drive Plan for Summer
Watch Wildlife
Hike a Trail
See Visitor Centers Join a Ranger
PAGE 4
PAGE 4 BOTTOM
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
PROGRAM GUIDE
PROGRAM GUIDE
Driving Rocky’s roads is
a great way to explore the
park. Learn more about
our roads and famous
drives, including times
of the year when some
major roads are closed to
motorized traffic.
Thinking of returning to
Rocky in summer? Due
to high visitation (over 4.6
million visitors in 2018),
planning ahead is a necessity. Learn more at
go.nps.gov/
Rocky is home to many
animals, big and small.
While we’re unable to tell
you exactly where wildlife will be (they are wild,
after all!), we have a great
guide inside to help you
learn more.
Rocky has trails for every
age and ability. Find a
trail, check your packing
list against our recommended items, and learn
where you can get even
more in-depth info.
Visitor centers are a
great way to explore the
park’s wonders. See your
program guide for opening and closing dates and
times and general descriptions.
Year-round, Rocky offers
ranger-led programs on
a variety of awesome
topics. Check out our
program guide to find the
perfect program for you
and yours.
RockyPlanAhead
Safety
It is your responsibility to be safe and to know and obey
park rules. You can find park safety information, rules, and
regulations at visitor centers, entrance stations, trailhead
bulletin boards, and the park website at nps.gov/romo.
The Rocky Pledge
“To preserve unimpaired for this and future generations the beauty, history, and wildness therein, I pledge
to protect Rocky Mountain National Park.”
• To respect history, heritage, and natural
processes, I pledge to remove nothing
from the park except my own and others’
trash—not even a flower. I will leave no
trace of my visit so that the next person
can experience the same beauty as I did.
• To prevent fire scars and human-caused
fires, I pledge to never build a fire outside
of a campground or picnic area fire ring.
• To protect plants, meadows, and alpine tundra, I pledge to park and drive only on designated asphalt or gravel parking areas.
• To keep my pet, wildlife, and other visitors
safe, I pledge to keep my leashed pet only on
roads, in campgrounds, and in picnic and
parking areas. I will never take my dog on
Rocky’s trails, meadows, or tundra areas.
• To respect other visitors’ experiences, if
I need to go but am not near a restroom, I
pledge to leave no trace by stepping well
away from the trail and water sources, burying my waste at least six inches deep or packing it out in a waste bag,
and carrying out my toilet paper.
PLEDGE
to
PROTECT
• To respect Rocky’s wild creatures and to
protect myself, I pledge to watch wildlife from a distance that doesn’t disturb them in any way. I will never feed
an animal—doing so causes it harm.
• To preserve them for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations, I pledge to honor, respect, and protect
all our national parks and public lands.
Rocky Mountain National Park
#rockypledge
Altitude Sickness affects many
visitors every year. Symptoms
include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness,
vomiting, and in acute situations, even uncon‑
Falling Trees are an ever-present
hazard and can fall without warning.
Be extra careful around dead trees
when it’s windy or following a snowstorm.
sciousness. Altitude can also aggravate preexist‑
Pets are prohibited on ALL park
trails, tundra, and meadow areas.
K E E P
W I L D L I F E
W I L D
Never feed or
approach wildlife
Leashed pets are only allowed in picnic areas,
parking lots, campgrounds, and along roadsides.
Never leave pets in vehicles if it puts them in
ing conditions like heart and lung disease. Take
Firearm Possession in the park is
danger or they become a public nuisance. When
Many amazing animals call Rocky home. To
your time, drink plenty of water, eat lightly, and
permitted for those legally authorized
outside vehicles, pets must be on leashes no
keep them and you safe and comfortable:
• Obey wildlife closure areas and
rest. The only cure for altitude sickness is to go
to possess firearms under federal, Colorado, or
longer than six feet. Service animals that have
down to a lower altitude.
local laws. However, hunting, recreational
been individually trained to perform specific
shooting, and target practice are illegal. Federal
tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities
Avalanches can be easily triggered
by backcountry travelers. The park
law prohibits firearms in park buildings and
are allowed in the park. Emotional support
facilities. Those legally allowed to carry firearms
(“therapy animals”) and service-ani-
does not do any avalanche control.
must comply with all applicable state and federal
mals-in-training are not service animals under
firearm laws.
the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not
Never assume trails are free of avalanche hazard.
access trails or other non-motorized areas.
Wear an electronic transceiver when traversing
avalanche terrain, and avoid skiing or snowshoe‑
Fishing requires a Colorado state
ing in steep gullies. If caught in an avalanche,
fishing license. Trout in the park include
make swimming motions and try to stay on top
brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat
Purify all water from rivers, lakes,
and streams before drinking. Park
of the snow. For current conditions, visit
(including the protected Colorado River and
waters may contain parasites like giardia and
avalanche.state.co.us, check at a visitor
greenback). Not all park lakes have reproducing
cryptosporidium.
center, or call 970 586‑1206.
fish populations. For more information,
visit go.nps.gov/RockyFishing.
Bicycles are prohibited on trails. They
are permitted on all roads open to
motor vehicles, paved and dirt, unless
“no stopping” traffic zones.
• Use parking areas along the road.
If not available, pull your vehicle
completely off the road and
do not park on vegetation.
• Keep a safe distance. If you cause an
animal to move or change behavior,
you are too close! Approaching an
animal puts you at risk and may cause
it stress, leading to disease and illness.
• Never feed wildlife, including birds and
chipmunks.
Rivers and Streams can be deadly.
Bears and Mountain Lions
Park waters are frigid. Powerful currents
Seeing a bear or mountain lion is
Hypothermia can happen any
time of year. Watch for drowsiness,
can knock you over and pull you downstream or
underwater, where you may become trapped.
rare, and interactions are even more rare.
impaired judgment, excessive shivering,
Streamside rocks are often slippery, and nearby
However, keep the following in mind:
bicycle lanes in the park. Roads are narrow with
and slurred speech. To prevent, wear insulated,
water may be deep. Always closely supervise
• Travel in groups and make noise as you
few or no shoulders—ride with care. By law, you
wind-proof layers and drink plenty of fluids.
children around all water but especially near
hike closely together. Keep children
rivers and streams.
close! A predator does not distinguish
otherwise posted. There are no designated
must ride single file. Shuttle buses do not accept
bicycles. Visit go.nps.gov/RockyBicycling.
Campfires are permitted only in
Lightning regularly strikes in
Rocky. There is no safe place in the
Take only pictures. It is illegal to
backcountry when lightning strikes.
take any natural features including
a running child from running prey.
campgrounds and picnic areas with fire
Check the forecast before heading out. Watch
pinecones, rocks, antlers, and artifacts or to
grates. During high fire danger,
for building storm clouds. Plan activities so you
disturb soil, rocks, or vegetation (including
campfires may be prohibited. You can purchase
can quickly return to your car if a storm begins.
flowers). Metal detector use is prohibited.
firewood at campgrounds in summer. Collecting
If hiking, plan to return to the trailhead before
vegetation, dead or alive, is prohibited.
noon, and return to the trailhead immediately if
Wilderness Travel should be done
you hear thunder.
in a group, not alone. Leave a detailed
Cell Service is unavailable in
much of the park. Don’t depend on
a cell phone for emergency help.
Drones are not allowed
anywhere in Rocky Mountain
National Park. This includes
launching, landing, and operating drones.
2
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
trip itinerary with a friend. This helps park au‑
Marijuana possession and use is
illegal in Rocky Mountain
National Park and all federal
thorities if you fail to return. Mountain weather
• If you see a bear or mountain lion,
stop, stay calm, and back away
slowly. Never approach wildlife or
turn your back and run. Stand tall and
look large. Raise your arms. Protect
small children by picking them up.
• If approached, make loud noises,
shout, clap hands, bang pots or
pans, and fight back if attacked.
changes quickly. If conditions are more difficult
See Camping, page 11, to learn how to
than anticipated, turn around. Longs Peak, a
properly store food and other scented
lands, even though small amounts of recre‑
popular climb, can have treacherous ice and
items.
ational marijuana are legal in Colorado.
snow any time of year. Camping is only allowed
in designated sites.
Weather
Winter
80
70
60
50
40
Spring
Summer
78
Estes Park Average High
76
68
61
60
Estes Park Average Low
59
51
50
42
43
49
10
31
31
27
6
4
Jan
Feb
16
14
10
-1
17
19
16
-1
25
23
22
21
0
-10
32
27
19
34
39
36
25
16
38
44
36
18
42
48
33
20
55
55
Alpine Visitor Center
Average Low (estimated)
30
Winter
72
Alpine Visitor Center
Average High (estimated)
35
Fall
-1
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Cold temperatures, high winds, and
ice and snow define winter at Rocky
Mountain National Park. Skiing and
snowshoeing conditions are best in
January, February, and March.
A warm, sunny day can make it seem
that summer’s arrived early, only to
be followed by a day of cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. Expect
snow and ice on most if not all trails.
Sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms (often with dangerous
lightning), and clear, cool nights.
This is the busiest time of year in the
park. Most park facilities are open.
Expect clear crisp air, blue skies, and
generally dry weather mixed with
the occasional early snowstorm.
Trail Ridge Road usually closes
for the winter by mid-October.
Estes Park area
Usually free of deep snow. Winds are
often extremely high (50+ mph gusts).
Montane
(8000–9500 ft, 2450–2900 m)
Spring arrives here first, usually
in late April.
Alpine
(11,500+ ft, 3500+ m)
Magnificent wildflowers bloom
from late June to early August.
Fall colors
Aspen leaves start changing in
mid-September. Fall color
is magical but usually brief,
lasting only a few weeks.
Subalpine
(9500–11,500 ft, 2900–3500 m)
Spring is just reaching the subalpine country in June.
Snow can stick around in gorges and
other shaded areas well into summer.
December–March
Higher elevations
Arctic conditions: sudden blizzards,
damaging winds, deep snowpack.
Grand Lake area
Deeper snow common. Winds
less extreme. Clearer and colder
than the east side of the park.
April–May
Why is it colder at elevation?
Take a look at the temperature chart
above. The Alpine Visitor Center
is, on average, 15–20 degrees colder than Estes Park, yet it’s only a
few miles away as the crow flies.
How can this be?
Elevation, which measures a
location’s height above sea level.
Most people live relatively close
to sea level (maybe you do, too), so
they don’t know about the big effect
elevation has on almost every everything, from solar radiation to weather
to—you guessed it—temperature.
But here in Rocky, where elevations
start at around 7,500 ft, you can experience these changes firsthand!
June–August
Dressing for a trip to the mountains is part of the adventure.
• The atmosphere gets thinner.
With less air and clouds between the
ground and the darkness of space,
less of the sun’s heat is trapped
and re-radiated back to Earth.
As you can see, conditions vary wildly
throughout the year and between different elevations. But conditions also
vary wildly even within the same day!
Add to these factors more exposure to extreme wind and weather, and it’s no wonder a warm
day at the park entrances can be
much chillier in the mountains.
Elk rut
Elk mating season begins in September
and continues through mid-October.
What clothes should I bring?
For every 1,000 feet gained
in elevation, temperature
decreases 3–5°F. Why?
• Air pressure drops. This causes
the temperature of air, a gas,
to decrease.
September–November
A single summer day could bring
clear skies and frosty breath in the
morning; blistering sun and sweat
at noon; and a thunderstorm in the
afternoon with a 20 degree temperature drop, lightning, rain, and hail.
A winter day can go from still with
warm sun to howling wind and whiteout conditions in a matter of minutes.
How can you prepare for
such wild weather?
• Always carry wind and waterproof outerwear. Sudden cold
rainstorms happen even in summer,
and chilling winds are common.
• Bring warm, quick-drying
layers to adjust to changing temperatures.
• Wear closed-toe, durable footwear. The park is rarely entirely without ice and snow.
• Bring a warm hat and
gloves—even in summer.
• Protect yourself from the
sun with clothing, sunscreen,
and sunglasses. UV radiation
is much higher at elevation.
Official Newspaper 2019
3
Scenic Drives
Driving Conditions Through the Seasons
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
While Bear Lake Road and other major paved
roads remain open (weather permitting), smaller park roads, Old Fall River Road, and most of
Trail Ridge Road are closed. Winter driving conditions are possible at any time—be prepared.
Snow, ice, rain, sun—
anything’s possible in
spring. Some smaller
roads open, weather permitting.
It’s prime time at Rocky. Nearly all
park roads, including Trail Ridge
Road, open by Memorial Day (weather permitting). Old Fall River Road
opens latest in the season, in early July.
Snow and ice are back on the menu—
be prepared. Old Fall River Road closes by early October. Trail Ridge usually
closes in mid-October but depends on
the year’s specific weather conditions.
December–March
April–May
June–August
September–November
Trail Ridge Road
Closed to motorized vehicles
until late May weather permitting
Recorded Status Line: 970 586-1222
This recorded message has the most up-to-date
information on whether Trail Ridge Road is open
or closed and is available 24 hours per day.
Stretching 50 miles, from Estes Park in the east to
Grand Lake in the west, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in North America.
Winding across the alpine tundra’s vastness to a
high point of 12,183 ft (3713 m), the route offers
thrilling views, scenic pullouts, wildlife sightings,
and spectacular alpine wildflower displays.
A trip up Trail Ridge Road is like traveling
to the Arctic. By 11,400 ft (3475 m), the average annual temperature is so cold that none
of Rocky’s trees can survive. Called treeline,
you’ll know you’re above it when the trees disappear and the views stretch to forever.
Alpine Visitor Center covered in snow.
Old Fall River Road
CLOSED TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES
Due to extreme winter conditions at elevation,
Old Fall River Road is closed to motorized vehicles
from October 1–early July. Pedestrian traffic is still
allowed. Pets on leash are allowed until
November 30 but are prohibited December 1–April 1.
Completed in 1920, Old Fall River Road was the
first auto route in the park offering access to the
alpine tundra. It follows a route long used by Native
American tribes, including Ute and Arapaho.
Old Fall River Road is a “motor nature trail.” Gravel
and dirt, one-way uphill, with no guardrails and
tight switchbacks, vehicles 25 feet and longer or
with trailers are not allowed. The 9-mile long road
leads from Horseshoe Park up a deeply cut valley to
Fall River Pass at 11,796 ft (3595 m), where it joins
Trail Ridge Road at the Alpine Visitor Center.
NPS PHOTO
Stay Safe
Protect the Tundra
• Trail Ridge Road is narrow, winding, and
has few guardrails. Drive carefully.
While seemingly hardy, the tundra is in fact quite
fragile. Repeated footsteps often destroy tundra
plants. Recovery can take hundreds of years.
• Lightning can kill you. If thunderstorms are
approaching or if you see or hear lightning, immediately seek shelter in your car or a building.
• High elevation can make you feel
sick and aggravate preexisting conditions. See page 2 for details.
• Temperatures on the tundra can be 20 to
30° F (10 to 15° C) colder than park entrances, and weather changes quickly. Always
bring warm, windproof layers, including
a hat and gloves, even on warm days.
• Sunlight is intense at elevation. Even on
cool, cloudy days, UV levels can be extreme.
Wear sunglasses that block UV to protect your
eyes. Use sunscreen and wear a hat. Consider full-coverage clothing for long outings.
• You must stay on trails in the park’s
six Tundra Protection Areas:
• Alpine View Trail
• Alpine Visitor Center area
• Forest Canyon overlook
• Gore Range overlook
• Rock Cut overlook
• Tundra Communities Trail
• Never pick flowers or plants.
• Never feed or approach wildlife, no matter how small.
• Park only in designated areas,
never on vegetation.
• Pets are prohibited on ALL tundra areas.
Traffic, Parking, and Shuttle Buses
Rocky hosted over 4.6 million visitors in 2018.
With most visitors arriving by car, this means
park roads can get extremely busy and parking
extremely limited.
We understand this can be frustrating—but
we’re all here to enjoy and celebrate Rocky.
Help yourself and other visitors keep fun levels high and stress levels low by being courteous to other motorists, obeying posted speed
limits, and watching for visitors and wildlife in parking lots and near roadways.
4
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Roads are busiest from 9 am to 3 pm during
the summer and on fall weekends. Arrive
early or late to avoid the crowds.
• Parking at our most popular trailheads can fill
as early as 6:30am. Even less popular trailheads
will fill by early morning and on winter weekends. If you’re planning to hike, start early!
• In summer, consider riding the shuttle from the
Estes Park Visitor Center (park pass required)
or Park & Ride. Save money on gas, skip the
traffic, and enjoy mountain views while someone else drives! Learn more on the back page.
Spring Program Guide
A ball cactus in bloom.
Visitor Centers
NPS PHOTO / HOPE OZOLINS
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Fall River Visitor Center
Moraine Park Discovery Center
Open 8am to 4:30pm daily
Starting May 24: Open 9am to 4:30pm daily
Near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on US Hwy 36. Information,
Through May 24: Open 9am to 4pm Fri–Sun
Starting May 25: Open 9am to 4pm daily
bookstore, and park movie (see left). For wilderness camping
Near the Fall River Entrance on US Hwy 34. Life-sized wildlife
views of Moraine Park, and a bookstore.
permits, follow the trail east of the visitor center to the Wilder-
displays, bookstore, and Arts Alive Activity Center (all ages
ness Office.
welcome).
Sheep Lakes Information Station
Alpine Visitor Center
Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Starting May 11: Open 9am to 4:30pm daily
(weather permitting)
Starting May 24: Open 10:30am to 4:30pm daily
(weather permitting)
Through April 27: Open 9am to 4:30pm Wed–Sun
Starting April 28: Open 8am to 4:30pm daily
In Horseshoe Park on US Hwy 34 west of Estes Park. Information
Highest visitor center in the NPS at 11,796 feet. Extraordinary
On US Hwy 34 north of Grand Lake. Information, maps, free
and ranger programs. Good wildlife viewing.
alpine views, displays, information, a bookstore, and an adjacent
park movie, exhibits, a bookstore, and wilderness camping
gift shop and cafe.
permits.
On Bear Lake Road. Interactive exhibits, nature trail with great
Activities and Talks
Walks and Hikes
Quick, casual, and interactive, talks and
activities are great for all ages and abilities!
Learn about bears, elk, the coming
winter season, and so much more.
From brief strolls to true hikes, these programs get you moving. Birds, lakes, flowers, waterfalls, geology, history—join a
ranger to discover new trails and ideas.
Special Events
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20
Endangered Species Day
Friday, May 17
World Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, June 6
Special Event: 10am to 2pm
Special Program: 7pm
Birding in the Field: 8am to 12pm
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Earth Day is a chance for the world
to unite around the importance of
environmental science. Create cool
artwork at our arts and crafts table,
or chat with park staff and scientists. Greenhouse tours will also be
available, offering a great way to see
young plants springing to life.
Learn about the importance of
protecting endangered species and
everyday actions you can take to
help. A biologist will share successes of the Endangered Species Act,
which has successfully prevented the
extinction of hundreds of species like
Bald Eagles and Humpback Whales.
Meet at Beaver Meadows Visitor
Center. Bring binoculars and a field
guide for a ranger-led birding excursion. Come for part or all of this
multi-location event. Call 970 5861206 for more information.
Special Program: 7–8:30 pm
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Spring Program Guide 2019 5
Ranger-led Programs
East Side
Wheelchair-accessible
WA L K S , H I K ES , A N D AC T I V I T I ES
LENGTH
L O C AT I O N
SUN
Bear Necessities
30 minute
Beaver
10 am
Join a ranger to learn about the amazing lives of
talk
Meadows
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
S AT
10 am
Visitor Center
Rocky’s bears and how you can help save them.
Starts 4/28
Beaver Meadows Evening Programs
45 minute
Beaver
7 pm
7 pm
Enjoy a variety of special evening programs at Beaver
program
Meadows
5/17 only
5/25, 6/1,
6/8, 6/15
Visitor Center
Meadows Visitor Center.
Auditorium
Bighorn Basics
30 minute
Sheep Lakes
10:30 am
10:30 am
Sheep Lakes is a popular place to view bighorn sheep.
talk
Information
No
No
Station
program
program
6/3
6/4
Learn about this majestic symbol of Rocky. (May be
10:30 am
canceled due to weather.) Starts 5/11
Spring Bird Walk
1.5 hour
Cub Lake
Go birding with a local expert at one of the best times
walk
Trailhead in
8 am
10:30 am
10:30 am
10:30 am
8 am
8 am
8 am
10:30 am
Moraine Park
of the year. Bring binoculars and a field guide. Be prepared for a frosty, damp morning. Starts 4/21
Springing to Life
30 minute
Beaver
Join a ranger to discover what springtime means to the
talk
Meadows
10 am
10 am
Visitor Center
many animals that call Rocky home. Ends 4/27
West Side
TA L K S A N D A C T I V I T I E S
LENGTH
L O C AT I O N
Rotating Programs
Varies
Varies
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
S AT
Talk and activities will vary throughout the spring. For
details, stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center or visit
our website.
Wild iris in Moraine Park.
Become a Junior Ranger
Junior Rangers have fun discovering the natural
world and learning why we need to protect our
national parks. We need the help of all our rangers to keep Rocky protected for years to come.
Pick up a free Junior Ranger activity booklet at
any visitor contact station, discover the park,
and become a ranger by earning your badge!
6
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
There are activity books for kids ages 5 and under,
6–8, and 9 and up. Saturday, April 20, is National
Junior Ranger Day—join us for extra fun! The park’s
Junior Ranger Program is funded by the Rocky
Mountain Conservancy and is a great way to get kids
out exploring and discovering their national park.
N P S P H O T O / C R Y S TA L B R I N D L E
Hiking in Spring
Wa n t a c h a n c e t o h i k e a l l
in a day? Try hiking in spring!
four se a sons
Weather
• Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. Some
days are warm and sunny. Others are cold and snowy.
Others still switch back and forth between both!
• In Rocky, spring means SNOW! March and April are
the snowiest months of the year, and new snow isn’t
uncommon in May or even early June.
Trails
• Trail conditions vary from day to day. Before going
on a hike, check recent trail conditions at go.nps.gov/
RockyTrailConditions or visit a visitor center and check
with a ranger.
Carry the Essentials
33Lots of water and
high-energy food
33Layers of clothing including
storm gear, hat, gloves
33Sunglasses with UV protection
33Sunscreen
33First aid kit
33Topographic map and
compass/GPS
33Flashlight or headlamp
33Waterproof matches,
pocket knife, whistle
33Sturdy footwear and extra socks
N P S P H O T O / J I M W E S T FA L L V I P
EAST SIDE
ROUND TRIP
Bear Lake
0.5 mi
Enjoy an easy stroll around a beautiful mountain lake. Trail has snow well into June. Only a portion of the trail is wheelchair
End of Bear Lake Road
0.8 km
accessible.
Lily Lake
0.8 mi
A level walk around Lily Lake featuring wildflowers, waterfowl, and mountain views.
Lily Lake Trailhead
1.3 km
Moraine Park Discovery Center
Nature Trail
0.5 mi
Winds up and down hillside behind Discovery Center (open May 26). Self-guiding trail book available.
0.8 km
Sprague Lake
0.5 mi
Bear Lake Road
0.8 km
Tundra Communities Trail
0.6
View the miniature world of the alpine tundra and enjoy sweeping views of the park. Trail often has snow well into the summer
Rock Cut on Trail Ridge Road
1.0 km
season.
Packed gravel, level-grade trail around lovely lake.
(open May 25, weather permitting)
WEST SIDE
ROUND TRIP
Adams Falls
0.6 mi
East Inlet Trailhead
1 km
Coyote Valley Trail
1 mi
Coyote Valley Trailhead
1.6 km
Beautiful short hike near Grand Lake. Trail continues beyond falls to lush meadows with mountain views.
Follows bank of the Colorado River. Look for wildlife. Packed gravel, level grade. Open in May, weather permitting.
Holzwarth Historic Site
1 mi
Explore a historic homestead cabin and 1920s dude ranch. Brochures, interpretive signs. Buildings closed and unstaffed in off-season,
US Hwy 34
1.6 km
but you are welcome to tour the grounds.
Alpenglow softly falls on Bowen Mountain, a prominent peak on the west side of the park.
NPS PHOTO / RUSSELL SMITH
Spring Program Guide 2019 7
Half the Park is After Dark!
Though famous for its scenic
vistas, watchable wildlife, and
wide world of outdoor
activities, there’s something
else incredible about
Rocky: its night skies!
So don’t forget to enjoy the
park after dark. And if you
return to Rocky during
summer, consider joining a
night sky program. More at
go.nps.gov/RockyNightSkies.
NPS PHOTO / KIM GROSSMAN VIP
8
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Wildlife
Many amazing animals call Rocky home. To
K E E P
W I L D L I F E
W I L D
Never feed or
approach wildlife
• Keep a safe distance. If you cause an
keep them and you safe and comfortable:
animal to move or change behavior,
• Obey wildlife closure areas and
you are too close! Approaching an
“no stopping” traffic zones.
• Use parking areas along the road.
If not available, pull your vehicle
completely off the road and do
animal puts you at risk and may cause
it stress, leading to disease and illness.
• Never feed wildlife, including
birds and chipmunks.
not park on vegetation.
Wild and Watchable
With elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and moose calling
Rocky Mountain National Park home, it’s no surprise
that wildlife watching is rated the number-one activity
by many of Rocky’s visitors. Park roads provide access
to this wonderful world, so bring your binoculars and
don’t forget your camera — you never know when
you may see something!
The park’s great large-animal population makes it one
of the country’s top wildlife watching destinations.
But also found in Rocky Mountain National Park are
nearly 60 other species of mammals, more than 270
recorded bird species, four amphibians (including
the endangered boreal toad), two reptiles, 11 species
of fish, and countless insects, including a surprisingly
large number of butterflies.
For the bird aficionados, keep an eye out for the birds
that call Rocky home. Steller’s Jays, with their striking
blue bodies, are year-round residents, as are Canada
Jays, Clark’s Nutcrackers, and the iridescent, longtailed Black-billed Magpies. Other birds, like the tiny,
brilliant Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and Western
Tanagers come here to nest and raise their young in
the summers, wintering in warmer places.
Elk
Moose
Habitat
Meadows, meadow-forest
boundaries. Common at
lower elevations spring–fall.
Habitat
Streambeds and meadows
Viewing tips
Look at dusk and dawn in
Horseshoe Park, Moraine
Park, Upper Beaver Meadows,
and Harbison and Holzwarth
meadows. During the fall
mating season, bull elk can be
heard bugling as they attempt
to attract harems of cow elk.
Viewing tips
These large mammals frequent
willow thickets along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche
Valley on the park’s west side
and are increasingly being
seen on the park’s east side.
Bighorn Sheep
Black Bear
Coyote
Habitat
Rocky mountainsides and canyons
Habitat
All habitats throughout the park
Habitat
All habitats throughout the park
Viewing tips
May through mid-August, often seen along US Hwy
34/Fall River corridor on park’s east side, or high
on Trail Ridge Road and the rocky alpine of the
park’s west side. Look for lambs around mid-June.
Viewing tips
Black bears range over large areas—sightings are
a rare treat and should be treated with respect
(see detailed tips on page 2). There are no grizzly
bears in Rocky—if you see a bear, it’s a black bear.
Viewing tips
Can be seen parkwide at any time of
day. Yipping and howling is sometimes
heard in the evening and morning.
Mule Deer
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Pika
Habitat
All habitats throughout the park
Habitat
Rock piles
Habitat
Rock piles at higher elevations
Viewing tips
At lower elevations, mule deer are most often
found in open areas, usually at dawn and dusk.
Viewing tips
Look for marmots sunbathing on rock
outcroppings on the t