by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
Visitor GuidesSummer/Fall 2021 |
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 |
Timed-Entry Permits
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.
Don’t have a timed-entry
permit? It’s likely that entry
Page 2: Things to Do
Page 3: Pocket Ranger
Page 5: Hiking Guide
Page 8: Fall Guide
Page 11: Driving Guide
Back: Shuttles & Safety
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.
Food, Water, and Restrooms
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.
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
Safe-to-drink water is
will be open. If you have
available at some
to go but aren’t near a
facilities and trailheads. restroom, you must follow
Don’t assume water
Leave No Trace principles.
will be available at your
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.
It’s the Year of the Tundra!
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?
Looking for activities to do
while up on the tundra?
Check page 3. For tundra
closures, see page 11.
You can help this area
thrive by watching your
step and sticking to the
trails.
DON’T TRAMPLE THE TUNDRA
Weather and Altitude
Keep a safe distance from wildlife—it’s the law.
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, vomiting, and even unconsciousness. 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.
7 pm to 7 am Sunday nights
through Friday mornings.
Detailed info is available on
our website.
Moraine Park, be alert for:
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.
Need to Know
Visitor 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.
All visitors must wear a
face mask when riding the
shuttle.
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.
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
Maintain social distancing of
six feet whenever possible.
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
• 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.
Contact Us
Trail Ridge Rd Status
(970) 586-1222
Park Information
(970) 586-1206
Emergencies
Call or text 911
Website
nps.gov/romo
Social Media
@RockyNPS
Summer / Fall 2021
Never Approach Wildlife
Rocky Mountain National Park
WELCOME
Things to Do
Visitor Centers
Park rangers may be
available outside the
following visitor
centers:
• Beaver Meadows
• Alpine
• Kawuneeche
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
Rangers will not be
staffing visitor center
interiors. Check locally and
Shop online at:
at go.nps.gov/RockyVCs
RMConservancy.org.
for the most up-to-date
information.
Rosy paintbrush
Rocky Pocket Ranger
Become a Junior Ranger
No ranger-led programs
are being offered this
summer.
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).
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.
Activity books for kids
ages 5 and under, 6–8, and
9+, are available at any
contact station.
Mills Lake Trail
Watch Wildlife
Elk
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.
Black Bear
Bighorn Sheep
Coyote
Mule Deer
Yellow-bellied
Marmot
Pika
Visit go.nps.gov/RockyWildlife for
more info. Learn why fall is a special
time for some species on page 8.
And More...
Bicycling
Camping
Fishing
Bicycles are allowed on all roads open to
Campground operations will be different this
A Colorado state fishing license is required.
motor vehicles unless otherwise posted. You
summer and fall to help prevent the spread
Trout in the park include brown, brook,
must ride single file. They aren’t allowed on
of infectious diseases. You cannot stay over-
rainbow, and cutthroat. Not all park lakes
trails except the East Shore Trail near Grand
night in vehicles along roads or at trailheads.
have reproducing populations. Learn more:
Lake. Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyBicycling.
Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyCamping.
go.nps.gov/RockyFishing.
Holzwarth Historic Site
Horseback Riding
Wilderness Camping
Once a lodge, this historic site on the
Horses have been part of Rocky’s tradition
Overnight wilderness stays require a permit.
park’s west side is now preserved for your
since its designation in 1915. Horses, mules,
To learn more or make a reservation, visit the
enjoyment. Explore the grounds and read
ponies, llamas, and burros are allowed on
Beaver Meadows Wilderness Office or visit
educational signage on a short walk. Learn
park trails. No goats are allowed on park
go.nps.gov/RockyWildernessCamping.
more: go.nps.gov/Holzwarth.
trails. Learn more: go.nps.gov/RockyHorses.
2
Tread Lightly
In 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 growing season up here!
Pretend tundra is lava! How
many steps can you take only
on rocks without touching the
tundra?
Changing Times
Did You Hear That?
What’s the Lowdown?
Why are so many of the beautiful
flowers in the alpine so small? To
find out, you gotta get down!
Yellow-bellied
Marmot
Pika
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 something 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!
Alpine phlox
Alpine forget-me-nots
Moss campion
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?
Rocky Pocket Ranger
Alpine Tundra Adventures!
Life 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.
Sagittarius
The Sky Tells a Story
Find the North Star
The 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.
The 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.
What do you wonder when you
see a sky filled with stars?
Scorpius
If you could draw your own
constellation, what story would
you write in the night sky?
The Big
Dipper
3
Fun activities for all!
Half the Park is After Dark
Rocky Pocket Ranger
The Edges of the Day
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.
Experience the Dawn Chorus
The 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.
• How many birds do you hear?
Bring your warm layers. Then
find a spot where you can stay
still and comfortable. Now, sit
and listen.
• What is it doing? Eating seeds?
Catching insects?
• 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?
Broad-tailed hummingbird
Practice Intentional Curiosity
Record 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?
“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.
“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?
Sensory Overload
Vision
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.
4
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?
Black bear
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?
Elk and black-billed magpie
When 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:
East Side
Burn Area
TRAILHEAD
DESTINATION
Bear Lake
DISTANCE
O N E WAY
GAIN
Bierstadt Lake
1.6 mi
9 Don’t bring your pet. Pets
are prohibited on all park
trails, tundra, and meadow
areas.
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
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.
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
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
Chasm Lake
4.2 mi
2,390 ft
Eugenia Mine
1.4 mi
508 ft
6.2 mi
2,249 ft
4.5 mi
2,180 ft
Sandbeach Sandbeach Lake
Lake
4.2 mi
1,971 ft
Twin
Sisters
3.7 mi
2,338 ft
Wild Basin Copeland Falls
R. Station
0.3 mi
15 ft
Wild Basin Bluebird Lake
Entrance
Calpyso Cascade
6.0 mi
2,478 ft
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
9 Don’t make a campfire. Fires
scar the landscape and can
grow into deadly wildfires.
Finch Lake
A wide-brimmed
hat, sunglasses,
and sunscreen.
Bring a warm
jacket or sweater
and pants. Big
temperature
swings are
normal in the
mountains.
Carry a windand waterproof
jacket and pants,
a warm hat, and
gloves.
Sturdy shoes are a
safer choice.
Longs Pk
R. Station
Lawn Lake Lawn Lake
Ypsilon Lake
Strolls
East Side
(Updated May 2021)
Strollers allowed
Wheelchair-accessible trail
TRAIL
DISTANCE
ROUND TRIP
GAIN
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
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
20 ft
10 ft
West Side
TRAILHEAD
DESTINATION
DISTANCE
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 Lake
4.8 mi
2,060 ft
Trail Ridge Road
Alpine Ridge
Amazing views in all directions. Watch the sky;
if storms approach, stay off!
0.5 mi
Tundra Communities Trail
Enjoy sweeping views and the alpine tundra.
Watch the sky; if storms approach, stay off!
0.6 mi
209 ft
260 ft
Twin Sisters Peak
566 ft
Timber Lk
O N E WAY
GAIN
West Side
Adams 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
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.
5
Hiking Guide
Hikes
HIKING TIPS
0
Falls
2,849
745
1,215
750
225
1,650
20
990
245
7.1
3.4
4.7
4.5
0.8
7.9
0.8
5.0
2.7
4.4
2.1
2.9
2.8
0.5
4.9
0.5
3.1
1.7
6
302
75
229
69
503
868
227
370
49
6
173
421
165
130
184
419
160
20
566
1,380
540
425
605
1,375
1.3
0.8
2.6
8.0
3.7
1.8
2.9
6.1
0.8
0.5
1.6
5.0
2.3
1.1
1.8
3.8
0.7mi
1.1km
Burn Area
(Access Closed)
Restrooms
Parking
Campground
Picnic area
Information
Shuttle stop
Trailhead
Trail distances
Trail (hiker only)
Trail (horse/hiker)
Unpaved road
1.9mi
3.1km
To Sprague
Lake
To Moraine Park
and Trail Ridge Rd
Bear Lake
Area Trails
Glacier Gorge
Trailhead
0.5mi \ 0.8km
0.3mi
0.5km
To Alberta
ELEVATION GAIN
ft
m
0.3 Miles
DISTANCE
mi
km
0.2
0.3 Kilometers
0.4mi
0.6km
Bear Lake
Trailhead
All Glacier Gorge trails can be accessed from
Bear Lake. Add 0.1 miles to trail distance.
0.1
0.2
0.5mi
0.8km
9475ft
2888m
Bear Lake
0.3mi
0.5km
Lake
2.0mi \ 3.2km
To Bierstadt
To
12331ft
3758m
Knobtop
Mountain
12129ft
3697m
Notchtop
Mountain
11939ft
3639m
Gabletop
Mountain
12713ft
3875m
13153ft
4009m
Taylor Peak
os
Ca
1.3mi
2.1km
n
0.7mi
1.1km
1.1mi
3.4km
0.6mi
1.0km
Lake
Haiyaha
1.3km
2.0mi
3.2km
10761ft
3280m
Sky Pond
Lake of
Glass
0.7mi
1.1km
Solitude
Lake
Thatchtop
12668ft
3861m
0.6mi
1.0km
0.5mi
0.8km
0.9mi
1.4km
Shelf
Lake
Jewel
Lake
Mills
Lake
0.5mi
0.8km
0.9mi
1.4km
2.1mi
3.4km
0.6mi
1.0km
0.5mi
0.8km
2.0mi
3.2km
0.4mi
0.6km
2.2mi
3.5km
GOR GE
il
To Black
Lake
11482ft
3500m
3.0mi
4.8km
Half Mtn
Alberta
Falls
0.5mi
0.8km
1.5mi
2.4km
Hollowell
Park
To Longs Peak
Ranger Station
2.3mi
3.7km
Sprague
Lake
1.5mi
2.4km
Bierstadt
Lake
Bierstadt
Lake
1.7mi
2.7km
ar
To
Estes Park
66
North
0
0
0.5
0.5
1 Mile
1 Kilometer
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
To Longs Peak
Ranger Station
1.9mi
3.1km
East
Portal
Tuxedo Park
Moraine Park
Discovery Center
0.4mi
0.6km
Glacier Basin
Campground
36
Beaver Meadows
Visitor Center
Beaver Meadows
Entrance Station
Trail Ridge Road
to Alpine VC and Grand Lake, CO
0.4mi
0.6km
e Road
Lak
1.4mi
2.3km
Be
2.0mi
3.2km
MORAINE PARK
Park & Ride
0.3mi
0.5km
Cub Lake
Mor
Moraine
Park
Ca
Campground
Upper Beaver Meadows
Hiking Guide
Steep Mountain
9538ft
2907m
Fern Lake
0.8mi
1.3km
1.9mi
3.1km
1.3mi
2.1km
1.1mi
1.8km
1.5mi
2.4km
Cub Lake
See detail upper left
The Loch
Timberline
Falls
0.2mi
0.3km
1.7mi
2.7km
Fern Lake
BEAR LAKE AREA
Mount Wuh
1.0mi
1.6km
The
Pool
Dream
Lake
Fern
Falls
Andrews
Tarn
0.8mi
12486ft
3806m
Otis Peak
a
Ch
n
yo
Emerald
Lake
3.5mi
5.6km
d al l G o r ge
Hallett Peak
Ty n
Andrews
Glacier
12324ft
3756m
Two Rivers
Lake
1.1mi
1.8km
2.2mi
3.5km
0.7mi
1.1km
Fern
Lake
0.9mi
1.4km
Flattop Mtn
Lake
Helene
Odessa
Lake
Loomis
Lake
Spruce
Lake
(Updated May 2021)
C IER
The Pool (CLOSED)
Sky Pond
Sprague Lake Loop
The Loch
Lake Helene
Mills Lake
Nymph Lake
0.5mi
0.8km
Bear Lake Loop
0.5mi
0.8km
0.1
Alberta Falls
Bear Lake Loop
Bierstadt Lake
Black Lake
Cub Lake
Dream Lake
Emerald Lake
Fern Lake (CLOSED)
Flattop Mountain
Lake Haiyaha
DESTINATION
North
0
Nymph
Lake
Mtn
To Dream Lake
0.6mi \ 1.0km
3.5mi
5.6km
To Flattop
2.0mi \ 3.2km
Helene
Inlet
Trail
Nor
th
To Lake
Bear Lake Corridor Trails
CH
LO
LE
VA
6
Tra
hutu
na
GLA
(Updated May 2021)
Michigan
Lakes
Lake
Agnes
Mummy Pass
and Corral Creek
Trailhead
Lulu Mountain
12228ft
3727m
Ditc
h
Lake of
the Clouds
ow
Ri
ve
r
e
e
ch
Ca
2.7mi
4.3km
Colorado
River Trailhead
To Estes Park
Milner Pass
Poudre
Lake
Lake Irene
0.5mi
0.8km
NEVER
3.3mi
5.3km
Red Mtn
11605ft
3537m
4.3mi
6.9km
Farview Curve
3.1mi
5.0km
er
Cre
e
Gul
ch
k
0.6mi
1.0km
34
Bowen Baker Trailhead
Me
11488ft
3502m
Timber
Lake
ng
e
Mineral Point
1.5mi
2.4km
Lo
neech
Bak
Tim
be
r
Kawu
Parika
Lake
11704ft
3567m
3.3mi
5.3km
Holzwarth
Historic Site
to
Jackstraw
Mountain
Timber Lake
Trailhead
Timber Creek
Campground
ad
COLORADO
en
DISTANCE
mi
km
Coyote Valley Trailhead
0.3
3.4
0.5
0.5
5.5
0.8
79
300
0
24
91
0
Moderate
Big Meadows via GMTH (CLOSED)
Big Meadows via KVC (CLOSED)
Granite Falls
Little Yellowstone
Lulu City
Red Mountain to Grand Ditch
1.8
4.2
5.2
4.5
3.7
3.3
2.9
6.8
8.4
7.2
6.0
5.3
606
680
1046
990
350
1160
185
207
319
302
107
354
Difficult
Haynach Lakes (CLOSED)
Lone Pine Lake
Lake Verna
Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower
Timber Lake
8.2 13.2
4.8 7.7
6.9 11.1
4.8 7.7
4.8 7.7
2286
1494
1809
1533
2060
697
455
551
467
628
Haynach
Lakes
Nakai Peak
Creek
1.5mi
2.4km
12216ft
3723m
1.5mi
2.4km
2.4mi
3.9km
u
O nah
Gulc
h
Onahu Trailhead
North
Va l l e
0.6mi
1.0km
1.2mi
1.9km
1.8mi
2.9km
0.8mi
1.3km
Area Closures
Park crews are working
assess burn
Gabletopto
Mtn
11939ft
areas. As a result, closures
may change
3639m
throughout the season. For up-to-date
4.3mi
information,
visitKnobtop
nps.gov/romo
6.9km
Mtn
1.5mi
2.4km
12331ft
3758m
Creek
Big
Meadows
Murphy
Lake
Granite
Falls
y
12274ft
3741m
Mount Patterson
10313ft
3143m
Trail (horse/hiker)
Harbison
Meadows
491
0.8mi
1.3km
Gr an
e
Campground
12324ft
3756m
Hallett
Peak
12713ft
3875m
Bench
Lake
4.6mi
7.4km
La k
wM
oun
t
12324ft
3756m
4.5mi
7.2km
Ea
Shadow Mountain
Lookout Tower
Shadow
Mountain
Mount
Cairns
Lake
Nanita
st
11034ft
3363m
ek
Mount Bryant
1.4mi
2.3km
Inle
t
Mount Wescott
Cr
e
Lone Pine
Lake
10421ft
3176m
Creek
1.2mi
1.0mi
1.6km
Ptarmigan
Mountain
12565ft
3830m
Adams
Falls
10155ft
3095m
Shadow 1.9km
Mountain
Dam
10781ft
3286m
Lake
Nokoni
East Inlet
Trailhead
0.3mi
0.5km
3.3mi
5.3km
Mount Enentah
2.3mi
3.7km
Andrews Peak
dL
ak e
East Shore
Trailhead
1.5mi
2.4km
Cascade
Falls
rth
No
Paradise
Shad o
Su
n
erla
mm
ark
dP
ho
Ec
Interpretive trail
34
ain
Wheelchair accessible
3.4mi
5.5km
0.8mi
1.3km
LA KE
Restrooms
Wardance
Falls
Pettingell
Lake
Tonahutu/
North Inlet
Trailheads
49
GRAN D
Food service
4.1mi
6.6km
10788ft
3288m
Kawuneeche
Visitor Center
Information
Picnic area
Mtn
Inle
t
Grand
Lake
Etrance
Station
Continental Divide Trail
Trail distances
Nisa Mountain
492
Trail (hiker only)
0.7mi
1.1km
3.4mi
5.5km
Tonahutu
Green Mtn
Unpaved road
12363ft
3768m
Crk
Snowdrift
Lake
11424ft
3482m
2 Miles
491
Ptarmigan
Point
Flattop
Ptarmigan
Lake
Snowdrift Peak
Green Mountain
Trailhead
2 Kilometers
0
ELEVATION GAIN
ft
m
Easy
Adams Falls
Cascade Falls (CLOSED)
Coyote Valley
2.6mi
4.2km
0
To Estes Park
s
Bowen Lake
Blue Lake
Bow
12454ft
3796m
All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.
ow
to
11796ft
3595m
DESTINATION
12706ft
3873m
1.9mi
3.1km
Mount Chapin
34
12725ft
3879m
Baker
Mtn
13069ft
3983m
ge Roa d
l Rid
Trai
11317ft
3449m
RIVER
Grand
Shipler
Mountain
Red Mtn Trail
Junction
12397ft
3779m
Mount Chiquita
la
Site of
Lulu City
1.7mi
2.7km
12810ft
3904m
Mount
Stratus
Medicine
Bow Curve
igan
Ptarm
SUMMER
12489ft
3807m
Alpine Visitor Center
Howard Mtn
Mount
Nimbus
Creek
Crk
r
ud
Po
Specimen
Mountain
0.9mi
1.4km
1.3mi
2.1km
Mount
Cumulus
il l
n
W
1.2mi
1.9km
2.5mi
4.0km
12797ft
3901m
c im
e
n
1.1mi
1.8km
e
Sp
e
Ye
L
llo itt
w
s
0.5mi
0.8km
Skeleton
Gulch 1.1mi
le ton
1.9mi
3.1km
Desolation
Peaks
Cre
ek
1.6mi
2.6km
i
ap
Ch
MTNS
La Poudre Pass
1.7mi
2.7km
1.8km
Mount
Cirrus
12335ft
3760m
to
12940ft
3944m
Hazeline
Lake
Flatiron
Mountain
Thunder
Pass
Mount
Richthofen
Hiking Guide
Kawuneeche Valley Trails
Mount
Craig
12007ft
3660m
Ten Lake
Lake
Verna
1.0mi
1.6km
Spirit
Lake
0.6mi
1.0km
Fourth
Lake
Park
Fifth
Lake
Burn Area
To Granby and 40
(Access Closed)
7
Fall
Watch the Rut!
In fall, elk gather in meadows
• Only bulls have antlers, which
grow in the spring and drop each
for the annual breeding season:
winter. Antlers can grow up to
the rut. Males compete for the
an inch a day! While growing,
right to breed with a herd of
they’re covered with a protective
females. Respect this process, the
layer of velvety skin. When the
wildlife involved in it, and the
antlers are fully grown, the bulls
experience of yourself and others by
scrape this layer off.
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.
• 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 highpitched 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 Wildlife Respect Meadow Closures
Elk 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.
• Park only in designated pulloffs. 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 suddenly charge or cross roads.
These elk work hard throughout
the year to survive in a challenging
• Use of artificial calls and
environment. This is not a wildlife
spotlighting is prohibited.
park or zoo. Never approach wildlife.
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
Use a Zoom Lens
What About Those Fences?
Smartphone cameras, while popular,
have limited zoom. There’s simply
no way to get close-up photos
without getting much too close to
wildlife.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy Fall Colors
Expect Fall Weather
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.
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.
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
Changes in temperature,
the color change vary by
moisture, and light during location and year, so part
fall trigger the breakdown of catching peak color is
of green chlorophyll in
sheer luck!
the aspen leaves. As the
8
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 midOctober. Park roads may
close due to weather.
Everyone 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 Service areas: Arches National Park (UT), Canyonlands
National Park (UT), Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area (AZ/UT), Rainbow Bridge Nati