This summer we are celebrating all things alpine tundra! Did you know that one-third of the park is made up of this unique ecosystem?

You can help this area thrive by watching your step and sticking to the trails.

Looking for activities to do while up on the tundra? Check page 3. For tundra closures, see page 11.

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1

Food, Water, and Restrooms

WELCOME

Food services in the park are limited. Food is available at Trail Ridge Store and in the park’s gateway communities. Picnic areas are marked on your map.

Safe-to-drink water is available at some facilities and trailheads. Don’t assume water will be available at your

destination. Water from lakes and streams isn’t safe to drink unless you treat or filter it first.

Trailhead and facility restrooms that meet public health guidance will be open. If you have to go but aren’t near a restroom, you must follow Leave No Trace principles.

This visitor guide, combined with your park map, has the info you need for a fun, safe, and successful visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Page 2: Things to Do Page 3: Pocket Ranger Page 5: Hiking Guide Page 8: Fall Guide Page 11: Driving Guide Back: Shuttles & Safety

Weather and Altitude Lightning regularly strikes in Rocky. No outdoor place is safe when lightning strikes. Check the forecast before heading out. Plan activities so you can quickly return to your car if a storm begins. If hiking, plan to return to the trailhead before noon. Return to the trailhead immediately if you hear thunder.

Altitude sickness affects many visitors every year. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomit-ing, and even unconscious-ness. Altitude can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like heart and lung disease. Take your time, drink water, eat, and rest. The only cure for altitude sickness is to go down to a lower altitude.

Never Approach Wildlife Keep a safe distance from wildlife—it’s the law.

25 yards

100 yards

Never feed wildlife, including birds and chipmunks. It’s illegal and makes the animals unhealthy. You could be bitten, scratched, kicked, thrown, or trampled.

If you see a bear or mountain lion, stop and calmly back away. Never turn your back or run away. Stand tall and raise your arms to look large. Pick up small children.

D O N ’ T T R A M P L E T H E T U N D R A

It’s the Year of the Tundra!

Don’t have a timed-entry permit? It’s likely that entry permits are sold out for the day. Visit recreation.gov to view availablity. Or, you can wait until after 3 pm to enter the park (excluding Bear Lake road). A limited amount of permits will be released daily at 5 pm for the following day. These are expected to sell out quickly and we encourage you to plan ahead when possible.

Can I leave at any time? There is no length-of-stay requirement, you may leave the park at any time. The only restriction is when you can enter the park. You must enter within your reserved 2-hour window.

Once I’m in the park, can I exit and re-enter? Yes. Once you’ve entered the park during your 2-hour entry window, you can exit and re-enter the park as

often as needed for the rest of the day.

With a permit, am I guaranteed a parking place? No. Your reservation guarantees you access to the park during your reserved time window. It does not guarantee access to all locations within the park. If you have a Bear Lake Road Corridor permit, be flexible and/or use the shuttle to access trailheads.

Timed-Entry Permits

Need to KnowVisitor services are limited. Some facilities and events are closed or canceled. A reduced number of visitors will be allowed in facilities at a given time.

For those who are not fully vaccinated, face masks are required indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. This includes narrow or busy trails, parking lots, and overlooks.

All visitors must wear a face mask when riding the shuttle.

Maintain social distancing of six feet whenever possible.

During the summer, road construction will occur between Bear Lake Road junction and Deer Ridge junction. This 3-mile section of road will be closed from

7 pm to 7 am Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Detailed info is available on our website.

Pets are prohibited on ALL park trails, tundra, and meadow areas.

When in burned areas like Forest Canyon, Spruce Canyon, trails in the Fern Lake and Cub Lake area, the North Inlet Trail, and

Moraine Park, be alert for:

• falling trees and limbs, especially during periods of wind

• unstable slopes and rolling material such as logs and rocks

• burned out stump holes• bridges or structures that

may be damaged

Off-trail travel is not recommended in burned areas.

Trail Ridge Rd Status (970) 586-1222

Park Information (970) 586-1206

Emergencies Call or text 911

Website nps.gov/romo

Social Media @RockyNPS

Contact Us

2

Thin

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to D

o Visitor Centers

Watch Wildlife

And More...

Rocky Pocket Ranger Become a Junior Ranger

Bicycling Bicycles are allowed on all roads open to

motor vehicles unless otherwise posted. You

must ride single file. They aren’t allowed on

trails except the East Shore Trail near Grand

Lake. Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyBicycling.

Holzwarth Historic Site Once a lodge, this historic site on the

park’s west side is now preserved for your

enjoyment. Explore the grounds and read

educational signage on a short walk. Learn

more: go.nps.gov/Holzwarth.

Camping Campground operations will be different this

summer and fall to help prevent the spread

of infectious diseases. You cannot stay over-

night in vehicles along roads or at trailheads.

Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyCamping.

Wilderness Camping Overnight wilderness stays require a permit.

To learn more or make a reservation, visit the

Beaver Meadows Wilderness Office or visit

go.nps.gov/RockyWildernessCamping.

Fishing A Colorado state fishing license is required.

Trout in the park include brown, brook,

rainbow, and cutthroat. Not all park lakes

have reproducing populations. Learn more:

go.nps.gov/RockyFishing.

Horseback Riding Horses have been part of Rocky’s tradition

since its designation in 1915. Horses, mules,

ponies, llamas, and burros are allowed on

park trails. No goats are allowed on park

trails. Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyHorses.

No ranger-led programs are being offered this summer.

As an alternative, we’ve created Rocky Pocket Ranger, a number of fun activities for all ages to help you learn about and explore the park. Go to the next page to begin your adventure.

All animals at Rocky are wild and unpredictable. They are not pets. Never feed or approach wildlife: you could be hurt or issued a fine (learn more on front page).

If stopping a vehicle to view wildlife, pull completely off the road, with all four wheels past the white line.

Visit go.nps.gov/RockyWildlife for more info. Learn why fall is a special time for some species on page 8.

Junior Rangers at Rocky have fun discovering the natural world and learning why we need to protect our national parks. Visit Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley from 9 am to 4:30 pm daily (May 23 - August 21).

Activity books for kids ages 5 and under, 6–8, and 9+, are available at any contact station.

Park rangers may be available outside the following visitor centers:

• Beaver Meadows• Alpine• Kawuneeche

Rangers will not be staffing visitor center interiors. Check locally and at go.nps.gov/RockyVCs for the most up-to-date information.

Rocky Mountain Conservancy nature stores are open at the following visitor centers:

Beaver Meadows 9 am - 6 pm Fall River 9 am - 5 pm Moraine Park 9 am - 5 pm Alpine 9:30 am - 5 pm Kawuneeche 9 am - 5 pm

Shop online at: RMConservancy.org.

Elk

Black Bear Coyote Yellow-bellied Marmot

Pika

Bighorn Sheep Mule Deer

Rosy paintbrush

Mills Lake Trail

3

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Alpine Tundra Adventures!

Half the Park is After Dark

Tread LightlyIn many places, you’re allowed to walk on the tundra with special care.

9 Make sure you’re not in a tundra closure (see page 11).

9 Walk on rocks or bare spots. Try not to step on the plants—even though they’re small, they may be decades to centuries old!

9 When traveling off trail in a group, spread out so you’re each taking your own path. Social distancing is good for the tundra, too!

9 Don’t grind your feet as you walk. These plants have enough challenges with the wind, intense solar radiation, and short grow-ing season up here!

Pretend tundra is lava! How many steps can you take only on rocks without touching the tundra?

Changing TimesLife in the alpine is adapted to certain conditions.

Have you been here before? What changes have you seen? Write your own prediction about how life in the alpine may change in the next 20–50 years as the climate warms.

Did You Hear That? Two of the park’s most beloved animals live in the alpine and are found best by listening first! A loud whistle or chirp is the alarm call of the yellow-bellied marmot. Pikas will “meep” their alarm if some-thing threatens their territory.

Stay quiet while exploring alpine areas. When you hear the alarm, scan the rocks around you. You might see a marmot on the lookout or a pika dashing for cover!

Find a rocky area along Trail Ridge Road. Sit quietly and see how many of these furry favorites you can spot!

What’s the Lowdown?Why are so many of the beautiful flowers in the alpine so small? To find out, you gotta get down!

Find a grassy or rocky area where you can lay down without damaging fragile plants. How’s the temperature? What about the wind? On a blustery day, would you prefer to be standing or lying down?

Sagittarius

Scorpius

The Big Dipper

The Sky Tells a StoryThe moon and stars have inspired humans for thousands of years. People told stories about the shapes they saw in the stars—stories about things that were important to them and lessons about how to behave and treat others.

What do you wonder when you see a sky filled with stars?

If you could draw your own constellation, what story would you write in the night sky?

Find the North StarThe North Star, also known as Polaris, is very near the celestial pole (if you were standing at the North Pole, it would appear directly overhead). Though you might expect it to be one of the brighter stars in the sky, it’s actually dim enough to be tricky to find. Luckily, if you can spot the Big Dipper, you can use it to navigate to the north star using the “pointer stars” at the bottom of the dipper.

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Pika

Alpine phlox

Alpine forget-me-nots Moss campion

4

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Experience the Dawn ChorusThe first birds begin to sing about an hour before sunrise. In the dim light of morning, food is scarce, and predators have a harder time hunting. So, birds sing during this time to attract a mate and declare their territory. Their singing may carry up to 20 times as far in the still air, reaching females that will choose the song that sounds like it comes from the most fit and able singer.

Bring your warm layers. Then find a spot where you can stay still and comfortable. Now, sit and listen.

• How many birds do you hear?

• How would you describe what the song sounds like in words?

• Are other birds responding?

• Can you see the bird? Where did you see it?

• What size and shape is it?

• Describe its feathers. Are there patterns of dark and light or bright patches of color?

• What is it doing? Eating seeds? Catching insects?

Practice Intentional CuriosityRecord your thoughts at right:

“I notice...” Look closely. Is a dewdrop hanging on the edge of a flower? Is steam coming off the nearby stream? What are the clouds doing? What patterns do you see in the trees?

“I wonder...” Ask questions about what you’ve noticed. Say them out loud to yourself or a friend. What do you want to know more about?

“It reminds me of...” What comes to mind? An event? An object? A memory? Tying what you know with what you experience may help you retain this moment…and help you share it with others.

Find a quiet place to sit—beside your car, at a picnic table—during dawn or dusk. Take notice of your senses to get a whole new picture of the world around you.

Sensory OverloadVision Your eyes have two kinds of light receptors: rods and cones. Cones work best in strong light and pick up colors. Rods work better in dim light but don’t pick up colors.

As the light changes at dawn or dusk, look at your clothing or the clothing of your friends. Can you tell what color it is?

If you had to pick, would you want only rods or only cones for your eyes? What kind of sight would you want?

Smell Smells are really just a combination of chemicals. When the chemicals join up in different ways, we smell different things. Moisture created by dogs’ noses helps them capture different chemicals in the air and smell better.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose. What do you smell? Water? Dirt? Sweet or sour? Where is the smell coming from? Is it cool or warm? Now wet the tip of your nose with a little saliva. Can you smell anything more?

Hearing Think about the ears of an elk or a mountain lion. How are they shaped? Do they swivel? Why might good hearing help these animals?

Sit quietly and listen. Count five things you can hear.

Now cup your hands around the back of your ears with palms facing forward. Listen again. Can you hear anything more? Would you be able to rely on your hearing for survival at night?

Broad-tailed hummingbird

Black bear

Elk and black-billed magpie

5

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StrollsEast SideTRAIL DISTANCE

ROUND TRIPGAIN

Bear Lake Circle beautiful Bear Lake. Often has snow well into June.

0.5 mi 20 ft

Hidden Valley Walk through the sub-alpine forests of Hidden Valley.

0.5 mi 20 ft

Lily Lake See wildflowers, waterfowl, and mountain views on a walk around the lake.

0.8 mi 20 ft

Moraine Park Discovery Center Nature Trail Explore a hillside with a view of Moraine Park.

0.5 mi 20 ft

Sprague Lake Packed gravel, level trail around a lovely lake.

0.5 mi 10 ft

Trail Ridge RoadAlpine Ridge Amazing views in all directions. Watch the sky; if storms approach, stay off!

0.5 mi 209 ft

Tundra Communities Trail Enjoy sweeping views and the alpine tundra. Watch the sky; if storms approach, stay off!

0.6 mi 260 ft

West SideAdams Falls Walk to a beautiful waterfall near Grand Lake.

0.6 mi 80 ft

Coyote Valley Trail Walk the banks of the Colorado River and enjoy mountain views. Packed gravel.

1.0 mi 10 ft

Holzwarth Historic Site Explore a historic homestead and 1920s dude ranch.

1.0 mi 10 ft

Hikes (Updated May 2021)

TRAILHEAD DESTINATION DISTANCE O N E W A Y

GAIN

Bear Lake Bierstadt Lake 1.6 mi 566 ft

Emerald Lake 1.8 mi 605 ft

Fern Lake Trailhead (CLOSED) 8.5 mi 1,215 ft

Flattop Mountain 4.4 mi 1,215 ft

Lake Haiyaha 2.1 mi 2,849 ft

Odessa Lake (CLOSED) 4.4 mi 10 ft

Bierstadt Lake

Bierstadt Lake 1.4 mi 566 ft

Chapin Creek

Ypsilon Mountain 3.5 mi 2,874 ft

Cub Lake Cub Lake 2.3 mi 540 ft

Deer Ridge Jct.

Deer Mountain 3.0 mi 1,083 ft

Fern Lake Fern Falls (CLOSED) 2.7 mi 645 ft

Fern Lake (CLOSED) 3.8 mi 1,375 ft

Odessa Lake (CLOSED) 4.4 mi 1,865 ft

The Pool (CLOSED) 1.7 mi 205 ft

Finch Lake Finch Lake 4.5 mi 1,442 ft

Pear Lake 6.5 mi 2,112 ft

Gem Lake Gem Lake 2.0 mi 1,090 ft

Glacier Gorge Jct.

Alberta Falls 0.6 mi 160 ft

Andrews Glacier 5.0 mi 2,460 ft

Black Lake 4.7 mi 1,390 ft

Lake Haiyaha 3.5 mi 980 ft

The Loch 2.7 mi 940 ft

Mills Lake 2.5 mi 700 ft

Timberline Falls 4.0 mi 1,210 ft

Sky Pond 4.6 mi 1,660 ft

Longs Pk R. Station

Chasm Lake 4.2 mi 2,390 ft

Eugenia Mine 1.4 mi 508 ft

Lawn Lake Lawn Lake 6.2 mi 2,249 ft

Ypsilon Lake 4.5 mi 2,180 ft

Sandbeach Lake

Sandbeach Lake 4.2 mi 1,971 ft

Twin Sisters

Twin Sisters Peak 3.7 mi 2,338 ft

Wild Basin R. Station

Copeland Falls 0.3 mi 15 ft

Wild Basin Entrance

Bluebird Lake 6.0 mi 2,478 ft

Calpyso Cascade 1.8 mi 700 ft

Lion Lake No. 1 7.0 mi 2,565 ft

Ouzel Falls 2.7 mi 950 ft

Thunder Lake 6.8 mi 2,074 ft

East Side

TRAILHEAD DESTINATION DISTANCE O N E W A Y

GAIN

Colorado River

Lulu City Site 3.7 mi 350 ft

East Inlet Lake Verna 6.9 mi 1,809 ft

Lone Pine Lake 5.5 mi 1,494 ft

Spirit Lake 7.8 mi 1,899 ft

Green Mtn Big Meadows (CLOSED) 1.8 mi 606 ft

North Inlet

Cascade Falls (CLOSED) 3.5 mi 300 ft

Lake Nanita (CLOSED) 11.0 mi 2,240 ft

Lake Nokoni (CLOSED) 9.9 mi 2,240 ft

Timber Lk Timber Lake 4.8 mi 2,060 ft

West Side

The Keyhole Route to the summit of Longs Peak is NOT a hike. It’s a climb that crosses huge vertical rock faces and requires scrambling where an unroped fall would be fatal.

Do not take this climb lightly. Visitors have been injured and even died. Detailed info is available at go.nps.gov/LongsPeak or at the Longs Peak Ranger Station.

HIKING TIPSWhen you begin a hike, you leave behind established food, water, and restroom facilities; shelter from sun, wind, and weather; and easy access to emergency services.

Before hitting the trail:

9 Review the front-page info on food, water, wildlife, weather, and altitude.

9 Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have no service.

9 Carry a map and compass (or GPS) and know how to use them.

9 Dress for success. See diagram below.

When hiking, treat the park with respect by leaving no trace:

9 Don’t bring your pet. Pets are prohibited on all park trails, tundra, and meadow areas.

9 To go to the bathroom, you must move at least 70 steps off the trail, bury waste at least six inches deep, and pack out toilet paper.

9 Don’t make a campfire. Fires scar the landscape and can grow into deadly wildfires.

A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Carry a wind- and waterproof

jacket and pants, a warm hat, and

gloves. Sturdy shoes are a safer choice.

Bring a warm jacket or sweater

and pants. Big temperature

swings are normal in the

mountains.

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Red Mtn TrailJunction

Timber LakeTrailhead

Bowen Baker Trailhead

Coyote Valley Trailhead

Green MountainTrailhead

HarbisonMeadows

Tonahutu/North InletTrailheads

ShadowMountain

Dam

Shadow MountainLookout Tower

East InletTrailhead

East ShoreTrailhead

Site ofLulu City

Lake Irene

Timber CreekCampground

HolzwarthHistoric Site

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Richthofen12940ft3944m

MountCirrus

12797ft3901m

Howard Mtn12810ft3904m

MountCumulus

12725ft3879m

BakerMtn

12397ft3779m

MountStratus

MountNimbus

12706ft3873m

Red Mtn11605ft3537m

Mineral Point11488ft3502m

SpecimenMountain

12489ft3807m

JackstrawMountain11704ft3567m

Nakai Peak12216ft3723m

Snowdrift Peak12274ft3741m

Mount Patterson11424ft3482m

Mount Enentah10781ft3286m

ShadowMountain10155ft3095m Mount Wescott

10421ft3176m

MountCraig

12007ft3660m

Mount Bryant11034ft3363m

Andrews Peak12565ft3830m

PtarmiganMountain

12324ft3756m

MountCairns

Nisa Mountain10788ft3288m

Green Mtn10313ft3143m

Gabletop Mtn11939ft3639m

Knobtop Mtn12331ft3758m

PtarmiganPoint12363ft3768m

HallettPeak

12713ft3875m

FlatironMountain

12335ft3760m

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DesolationPeaks

FlattopMtn12324ft3756m

Alpine Visitor Center

KawuneecheVisitor Center

1.6mi2.6km

1.9mi3.1km

1.7mi2.7km

1.1mi1.8km

1.2mi1.9km

0.9mi1.4km

2.7mi4.3km

0.5mi0.8km

0.8mi1.3km

0.3mi0.5km

0.8mi1.3km

3.3mi5.3km

4.3mi6.9km

3.1mi5.0km

1.9mi3.1km

2.5mi4.0km

1.3mi2.1km

1.7mi2.7km

3.3mi5.3km 1.5mi

2.4km

0.6mi1.0km

1.5mi2.4km

1.2mi1.9km

0.8mi1.3km0.6mi

1.0km1.8mi2.9km

2.6mi4.2km

1.5mi2.4km

4.3mi6.9km

4.6mi7.4km

4.1mi6.6km

3.4mi5.5km

4.5mi7.2km1.5mi

2.4km

3.3mi5.3km

1.2mi1.9km

1.4mi2.3km 1.0mi

1.6km

0.6mi1.0km

3.4mi5.5km

2.3mi3.7km

1.0mi1.6km

1.5mi2.4km

2.4mi3.9km

0.5mi0.8km

1.1mi1.8km

To Granby and

To Estes Park To Estes Park

40

toParikaLake

toMummy Passand Corral CreekTrailhead

toBowen LakeBlue Lake

North

2 Kilometers

0 2 Miles

0

Onahu Trailhead

Station

LakeGrand

Etrance KawuneecheVisitor Center

Trail Ridge Road

Kawuneeche Valley Trails(Updated May 2021)

34

34

MedicineBow Curve

34

Mount Chiquita130693983m

Mount Chapin12454ft

DESTINATION DISTANCEmi km ft m

ELEVATION GAIN

Easy

Adams Falls

Cascade Falls (CLOSED)

Coyote Valley

Moderate

Big Meadows via GMTH (CLOSED)

Big Meadows via KVC (CLOSED)

Granite Falls

Little Yellowstone

Lulu City

Red Mountain to Grand Ditch

Difficult

Haynach Lakes (CLOSED)

Lone Pine Lake

Lake Verna

Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower

Timber Lake

All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.

0.3

3.4

0.5

1.8

4.2

5.2

4.5

3.7

3.3

8.2

4.8

6.9

4.8

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990

350

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2286

1494

1809

1533

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24

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185

207

319

302

107

354

697

455

551

467

628

Burn Area(Access Closed)

Trail distances

Unpaved road

Trail (horse/hiker)

Interpretive trail

Wheelchair accessible

0.7mi1.1km

Campground

Trail (hiker only)

Picnic area

Restrooms

Food service

Information

Continental Divide Trail

Park crews are working to assess burn areas. As a result, closures may change throughout the season. For up-to-date information, visit nps.gov/romo

Area Closures

8

Respect Meadow Closures• Park only in designated pull-

offs. Park staff will move your vehicle if it impedes traffic.

• Do not park on vegetation or in “no parking” areas.

• Turn off your car engine and lights. View elk from the roadside. Stay next to your car for safety—elk can sud-denly charge or cross roads.

• Use of artificial calls and spotlighting is prohibited.

Fall Watch the Rut!

Enjoy Fall Colors

Use a Zoom Lens What About Those Fences?

Expect Fall Weather

In fall, elk gather in meadows for the annual breeding season: the rut. Males compete for the right to breed with a herd of females. Respect this process, the wildlife involved in it, and the experience of yourself and others by following park regulations.

• Elk are one of the largest members of the deer family. Males (bulls) can weigh 700–1000 pounds and stand 5 feet at the shoulder. Females (cows), usually weigh 500–600 pounds.

• Only bulls have antlers, which grow in the spring and drop each winter. Antlers can grow up to an inch a day! While growing, they’re covered with a protective layer of velvety skin. When the antlers are fully grown, the bulls scrape this layer off.

• While competition is high among bulls, it includes little fighting as it causes injury and depletes energy. Instead, mature bulls compete for cows by displaying their antlers, necks,

and bodies. They emit strong, musky odors and bugle.

• Bulls signal the mating season with a call that rises to a high-pitched squeal before dropping to a series of grunts. The eerie call echoes through the autumn nights and serves to intimidate rival males. Cows and younger bulls may also bugle, but they can’t match the strength or range of the older bulls’ calls.

• Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyElk.

Never Approach WildlifeElk are big animals that can injure or even kill you. 25 yards is the legal minimum, but any distance that changes an animal’s behavior is too close. Approaching a wild animal can cause it serious stress, hurt its health, disrupt natural processes, and provoke defensive behavior.

These elk work hard throughout the year to survive in a challenging environment. This is not a wildlife park or zoo. Never approach wildlife.

Most of the fall color you’ll see in Rocky is the product of a single species: quaking aspen. These are one of the few deciduous trees hearty enough to survive harsh mountain environments.

Changes in temperature, moisture, and light during fall trigger the breakdown of green chlorophyll in the aspen leaves. As the

green color fades, yellow, orange, and red pigments appear.

This magical color change usually starts in early September and can last into October. The exact dates and strength of the color change vary by location and year, so part of catching peak color is sheer luck!

Smartphone cameras, while popular, have limited zoom. There’s simply no way to get close-up photos without getting much too close to wildlife.

The solution? Bring a camera with a telephoto lens! Wildlife will be less disturbed, netting you more safety and better photos. Binoculars are also great for getting a closer look from a distance.

Research from the mid-1990s to early 2000s found that Rocky’s elk population was larger, less migratory, and more concentrated than it would be under natural conditions. The result? Heavy use of winter range in the park and a decline in vegetation habitats that many species rely on.

To address these and other issues, park staff and researchers created a 20-year plan: the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan.

A key part of the plan are fenced areas, called exclosures, that protect critical habitat from elk browsing. The fences are designed to keep out elk but let in other species.

Marked gates provide access. Step inside and compare what you see to areas outside. You’ll find that fenced areas throughout the park are in various stages of remarkable transformation! Take photos of what you find and share them on social media, tagged #RMNP.

September and October bring clear, crisp air, blue skies, colder nights, and generally dry weather. Bring an extra warm layer or two to stay comfortable no matter what the season brings.

Early snowstorms are always a possibility, especially on Trail Ridge Road. Plan accordingly!

As the weather changes, so do services and facility hours. Visit our website to plan ahead. Visitor centers may have reduced hours. Shuttle buses stop running by the end of October. Campgrounds begin closing in early September, with only Moraine Park campground open by mid-October. Park roads may close due to weather.

To protect elk and enhance elk-viewing opportunities for visitors, these meadows are closed 5 pm - 10 am daily from September 1 to October 31:

• Moraine Park

• Horseshoe Park

• Upper Beaver Meadows

• Harbison Meadow

• Holzwarth Meadow

9

Ro

cky P

ock

et R

an

ger

Rocky by the NumbersEveryone wants to know Rocky’s vital statistics.Each blank needs a number. Find the answers in your park map and this information guide, or ask park staff.What’s more, we’ve given you the answers: the numbers at bottom.

• Rocky Mountain National Park was established in ________.

• Fragile alpine tundra makes up _________ of Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the largest areas of alpine tundra ecosystems protected in the contiguous United States.

• The dramatic elevation range within the park, which spans from 7,600 feet to ______ feet and straddles the Continental Divide, allows for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, plant and animal communities, and a variety of ecological processes.

• In 2019, the park welcomed _________ visitors, which was the park’s highest annual visitation.

• On March 30, 2009, ___________ of the park was designated as Wildernes. This means it’s managed with the highest level of Federal protection given to public lands.

• Rocky Mountain National Park has ____ peaks higher than 10,000 feet.

• The mighty Colorado River starts its _____-mile length in Rocky. It drains seven U.S. and two Mexican states on its way to the Gulf of California, and passes through six more National Park Ser-vice areas: Arches National Park (UT), Canyonlands National Park (UT), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ/UT), Rainbow Bridge National Monument (UT), Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), and Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ/NV).

• The Continental Divide angles through Rocky for ______ miles northwest to south-central from the Never Summer Mountains’ ridge tops, south at La Poudre Pass, across Trail Ridge Road at Milner Pass, elevation 10,758 ft (3,548 m), through the park’s core, and exits at Ogallala Peak on the park’s southern boundary.

• Approximately ____ miles of hiking trails explore the park.

• Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in North America with its high point at ______ feet.

• The ___ Essentials are the things you need to take with you whenever you are hiking.

Fill in your own statistics!

• Year of your first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park: ____________

• Miles of trail hiked on this trip (And how many total over time?): ____________

• Number of animal species seen on this trip: ________

• Number of flower species seen on this trip: ________

• Highest elevation visited on this trip (Driven? Hiked?): ____________

1915

1/314,259

4,670,05494.9%

1181,450

42355

12,183

10

Elk graze on alpine tundra

10

Ro

cky P

ock

et

Ran

ger Wild at Heart

Leave No Trace Principles

Wilderness....The word has different meanings to different people, but here in Rocky Mountain National Park, wilderness is something special. On April 9, 2009, nearly 250,000 acres of the park were permanently protected as the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Area.

Before this, only 2,917 acres of the park’s approximately 265,000 acres, was officially designated by Congress as Wilderness. The 2009 Omnibus Public Lands Management Act was the result of efforts begun in 1974 by wilderness advocates (see illustration at top-right of your park map).

Wilderness, according to the Wilderness Act, “...in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community

of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” The Wilderness Act goes on to describe wilderness as a place “retaining its primeval character and influence” where there are “outstanding opportunities for solitude.”

Wilderness holds different value to different people. Think about the questions below and discuss them with friends or family.

• What does “wild” mean to you? Write your definition below:

• Is Rocky Mountain National Park a “wild” place? Why or why not?

• Is there value to something being “wild”? Why or why not?

• What makes an animal “wild”? Do we treat wild animals differently?

• Of the following animals found in Rocky Mountain National Park, which ones do you consider “wild”? Why?

• Chipmunk• Marmot• Deer• Moose• Bear• Mountain Lion

Remember: treat all animals in Rocky with respect. Don’t feed wildlife and maintain a safe distance (see front page).

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Leave What You Find

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Learn more at LNT.org

* We recommend downloading the app before you get to the park. However, you may get service outside of some visitor centers.

11

Explore Trail Ridge Road

Drive Old Fall River Road

Completed in 1920, Old Fall River Road was the first auto route in Rocky to access the alpine tundra. It follows a route long used by Native American tribes, including Ute and Arapaho.

The 9-mile-long road leads from Horseshoe Park up a deeply cut valley to Fall River Pass at 11,796 feet (3,595 m). It then joins Trail Ridge Road at the Alpine Visitor Center.

Vehicles 25 feet or longer or with trailers are not allowed.

The road is gravel and dirt, one-way uphill, with no guard rails and tight switchbacks. In some places, the road is very narrow. Think of the drive as a motorized trail that brings you close to nature.

Park only in designated pullouts and ensure your vehicle is fully off the main road.

Entry to Old Fall River Road may be restricted when it becomes very busy. These closures are made for your safety. Closures are not regularly scheduled, so be prepared to change your plans if necessary.

Driv

ing

Gu

ide

Estes Park to Grand Lake Stop-by-Stop Guide• Hidden Valley

Picnic or hike in montane forest.

• Many Parks Curve A short walk with beautiful views.

• Rainbow Curve Perched on the edge of treeline. Great vistas to the east.

WATCH YOUR STEP - TUNDRA CLOSURES You must stay on paved trails.

• Forest Canyon Overlook The first major stop above treeline. Enjoy a paved path with educational signs and incredible views.

• Rock Cut Amazing views. Tundra Communities Trail (see page 5).

• Lava Cliffs View a layer of volcanic rock.

• Gore Range Overlook Incredible views. Educational signs.

• Alpine Visitor Center Services may change throughout the season. Hike the Alpine Ridge Trail (see page 5).

• Medicine Bow Curve Gorgeous views stretching into Wyoming on a clear day.

• Milner Pass Where the road crosses the Continental Divide (learn more in your park brochure).

• Farview Curve Take in sweeping views of the Never Summer Mountains and Kawuneeche Valley.

Trail Ridge Road usually closes around mid-October, but the exact date varies from year to year due to weather. The road often temporarily closes due to snow and ice, especially in fall. Always check the road status before beginning your drive. When the road is closed, the 1.5-hour drive between Estes Park and Grand Lake becomes a 4-hour detour.

IS TRAIL RIDGE ROAD OPEN OR CLOSED?Call (970) 586-1222 for up-to-date information.

Old Fall River Road opens in early to mid-July, depending on snow conditions. It usually closes in early October, depending on weather.

IS OLD FALL RIVER ROAD OPEN OR CLOSED?Call (970) 586-1206 for up-to-date information.

To protect this amazing place, we’re asking you to Watch Your Step.

Easy access to alpine tundra—”the land above the trees”—is the most distinct feature of Rocky Mountain National Park. While the plants that call the alpine tundra home are well-adapted to the extreme environment, there’s something they’re not well-adapted to: human trampling and vehicle tires. Repeated footsteps and tire tracks can quickly destroy tundra plants and allow now-exposed soil to blow away. Recovery may take hundreds of years.

All areas along Trail Ridge Road are part of the Trail Ridge Tundra Protection Area. Protect the alpine tundra. Watch Your Step.

• Never step off the path—not even a little bit—when you’re in a Tundra Closure (listed at right). Stepping off the path kills plants, some of which could be decades or centuries old.

• Never drive or park on tundra. Only use official asphalt and gravel parking areas. Vehicles are heavy and quickly kill tundra plants.

• Never pick flowers or plants. Picking plants or taking anything from the park is illegal.

• If you see or hear lightning, immediately seek shelter in your car or a building. Visitors have been severely injured and killed by lightning.

• If you choose to explore the tundra outside of a Tundra Closure, walk on rocks or bare spots, spread out if in a group, and don’t grind your feet as you walk. Learn more on page 3.

D O N ’ T T R A M P L E T H E T U N D R A

Safe

ty a

nd

Reg

ula

tio

ns

R

ide t

he S

hu

ttle

North

Map not drawn to scale

34

34

367

Estes ParkVisitor Center

PARK & RIDEAll routes

transfer here

Fern LakeBus Stop

Hollowell Park

Cub LakeTrailhead

Tuxedo Park

Glacier BasinCampground

Sprague LakeBus stops at Glacier Creek Stables1/4 mile trail leads to the lake

C Loop

Moraine ParkCampground

Bierstadt LakeTrailhead

Glacier GorgeTrailhead

BearLake

to Trail Ridge andHorseshoe Park

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.

Campfires are permitted only in campgrounds and picnic

areas with fire grates. During high fire danger, campfires could be prohibited. You can purchase firewood at campgrounds in summer. Collecting vegetation, dead or alive, is prohibited.

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.

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.

Firearm possession in the park is permitted for those legally authorized to possess firearms under federal, Colorado, or local laws. However, hunting, recreational shooting, and target practice are illegal. Federal law prohibits firearms in park buildings and facilities. Those legally allowed to carry firearms must comply with all applicable state and federal firearm laws.

Marijuana possession and use is illegal in Rocky Mountain

National Park and all federal lands.

Pets are prohibited on ALL park trails, tundra, and

meadow areas. Pets on leashes no longer than 6 feet are allowed only in picnic areas, parking lots, campgrounds, and along roadsides. Pets may not be left tied to vehicles, trees, or other objects. Emotional support (“therapy animals”) and service-animals-in-training are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not access trails or other non-motorized areas.

Service animals that have been individually trained to perform

specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park.

Rivers and streams can be deadly. Park waters are frigid.

Powerful currents can knock you over and pull you downstream or underwater, where you can become trapped. Streamside rocks are often slippery, and nearby water may be deep. Always closely supervise children around all water but especially near rivers and streams.

Take only pictures. It is illegal to take any natural features

including pine cones, rocks, antlers, and artifacts or to disturb soil, rocks, or vegetation (including flowers). Metal detector use is prohibited.

Wilderness travel should be done in a group, not alone.

Leave a detailed trip itinerary with a friend—this helps park authorities if you fail to return. Mountain weather changes quickly. If conditions are more difficult than anticipated, turn around. Camping is only allowed in designated sites with a permit.

At the time of printing (May 2021), the Hiker Shuttle is not operating. Check locally or visit nps.gov/romo for the most up-to-date info.

Shuttle buses are limited to 50 percent capacity or less to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Wear a face covering when waiting for and riding the shuttle.

Reduced Service in 2021

ROU T E SCHEDU LE DAT ES

Hiker Shuttle Express

Hourly 7:30 am to 10 am

30 min 10 am to 6 pm

Hourly 6 pm to 8 pm

Daily May 27–Oct 18

Bear Lake Route 10–15 min 6:30 am to 7:30 pm Daily May 28–Oct 11

Moraine Park Route 30 min 6:30 am to 7:30 pm Daily May 28–Oct 11

2021 Shuttle Service at a GlanceThere are no shuttle bus services on the west side of the park or across Trail Ridge Road.

There are no bike racks on shuttle buses.

Most shuttle buses are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs.

Dogs are not allowed on shuttle buses except for service animals (see below).