Elk View Retreat

27/06/2024

We highly recommend taking the drive up Old Fall River Road to the Alpine Visitor Center. Be sure your vehicle can handle the unpaved road conditions and sometimes deep ruts. The quiet, the views, the wildlife, and the less busy trails are definitely worth the extra effort.

Spring opening operations for Old Fall River Road continue and beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, the road will be closed to all uses, including bicycles and pedestrians, for dust abatement through Saturday, June 29.

Old Fall River Road will open for the season to vehicles on Sunday, June 30. This historic road normally opens to vehicles in early July.

Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which starts next to Endovalley Picnic Area and ends at the top of Fall River Pass and merges with Trail Ridge Road at Alpine Visitor Center. This road follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face. Due to the narrow and winding nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way uphill only.

Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited from traveling on Old Fall River Road.

During certain hours of the day, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park will need a timed entry reservation. There are two reservation options available: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road. Timed Entry Reservations are required to enter the park between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. These reservations provide access to areas of Rocky Mountain National Park located outside of the Bear Lake Road corridor, including access to Old Fall River Road. To learn more visit https://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

26/06/2024

Take advantage of the shuttles to save time and avoid parking fees and the frustration of trying to find a spot.

12/06/2024

02/06/2024

If the wildlife notices you are nearby, then you are too close!!!

Elk calves and other wildlife are being born in Rocky.

Newborn elk are born scentless, which helps protect them from predators during this vulnerable time. When elk mothers are ready to forage for food, they will cache their young in a protected and quiet place.

If you see a lone elk calf, do not approach! These animals have not been abandoned- their mother is nearby and keeping watch.

For your safety and the safety of wildlife, keep far away from any young wildlife. New mothers are very aggressive. If you see a young animal, do not approach or disturb it! If wildlife react to us, then we are too close. It is illegal to feed, approach, or harass wildlife.

For more wildlife viewing tips, visit the park's webpage at https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/wildlife_view.htm

Image Credit: NPS Photo

01/06/2024

TRR is open!

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season!

Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures, visitors should be prepared for icy conditions.

Weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations. Park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line when/if the road status changes.

Alpine Visitor Center, Trail Ridge Store and the large adjacent parking area are closed to all uses. Visitors must adhere to the barricades. Visitors entering the closure area will be cited.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry permit reservation system in place during certain times of day. To learn more, visit http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 26. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest on June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 18.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - Trail Ridge Road, taken near Rock Cut

24/05/2024

Reminder that timed entry reservations are required starting today and that reservations for July will go on sale 6/1.

Coming to Rocky? Timed entry is in effect beginning today. Depending on where in the park you would like to visit and what time of day you would like to enter, you might need a timed entry reservation.

There are two different timed entry reservation options to choose from: Timed Entry (this option does not include access to Bear Lake Road) or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road.

Timed Entry reservations are required to enter most areas of RMNP between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Timed Entry reservations do not include access to destinations located on Bear Lake Road.

To visit Moraine Park, Bear Lake, or any other destinations located on Bear Lake Road, you will need a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.

To learn more and to make your timed entry reservation, visit https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910.

Unable to make a reservation in advance? Additional timed entry reservations are released on Recreation.gov beginning at 7 p.m. MDT the night before your chosen arrival date. These do sell out quickly.

Remember, you don't need a timed entry reservation to visit most areas of Rocky Mountain National Park if you arrive before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m.

and give yourself plenty of time to arrive. Have more questions? We have a list of Questions and Answers available on our webpage at https://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry.

Image Credit: NPS Graphic

22/05/2024

Bustang is back for 2024

Thinking about coming to Rocky this Memorial Day weekend? CDOT's Bustang to Estes service is back!

Bustang offers service to RMNP's Bear Lake Road Corridor beginning this Saturday, May 25. For route schedules and to reserve your Bustang tickets, visit https://ridebustang.com/Estes-Park/.

Bustang buses will drop passengers off at RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub, where riders can then transfer to the park's Bear Lake or Moraine Park shuttles to access popular destinations like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge, and Bear Lake.

All Bustang Riders coming to Rocky Mountain National Park are required to have a Bustang ticket (your timed entry permit is included) and a park entrance pass.
Park entrance passes can be purchased online at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74291.

🎫 One Bustang rider should select the 1-Day Individual Pass for $15.

🎫 If there are 2 or more Bustang riders in your group, choose the 1-Day Vehicle Pass for $30. This will cover all members of your party. Be prepared to show your park pass to a park ranger upon arrival.

🎫 Passengers who already have an annual or lifetime park entrance pass should bring their annual or lifetime (Annual/Senior/Access/Military/4th Grade) park pass and their photo ID with them.

All Bustang riders coming to Rocky Mountain National Park should be prepared to spend their day outside. Please know:

◼️ There are no stores or food services available at Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride.
◼️ Bustang riders are advised to bring full water bottles, food for the day, footwear and comfortable clothing for hiking (including a jacket and rain gear, sun protection/sunscreen and a hat). Take time to be prepared for the forecast weather conditions.

19/05/2024

Road report from the national park:

28/04/2024

Plowing has started on TRR. Don’t worry, there are plenty of great spots to visit on the East side of the park between now and when it is clear over the top to the West side.

17/04/2024

Mark your calendars now! Reservations fill quickly for three popular time slots, especially for Bear Lake access. A few additional spots are her back and released the night before. Without a reservation a lot, you will need to wake up very early or wait until after times entry stops for the day.

Planning for summer and fall trips to Rocky?

Beginning May 24 to mid-October, timed entry vehicle permits will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during certain hours of the day. There will be two different options to choose from: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + which includes the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

📅 Mark your calendars!

Timed entry permits for the dates of May 24 - June 30 will be available to reserve on www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on May 1.

For more detailed information and a list of frequently asked questions and answers, visit RMNP's timed entry webpage at go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry

Image Credit: NPS Graphic

10/04/2024

The tram is back! We’re so happy to see this iconic attraction reopening in May 2024.

The whirring sound of motors and cables will once again return to Prospect Mountain in Estes Park, Colo. The Estes Park Aerial Tramway, the nearly 70-year-old historic tramway that closed in 2023, …

04/04/2024

Timed entry permits (reservations) will be required again this year. This is in addition to the admission charge to enter the park.

09/02/2024

Use the Rule of Thumb at RMNP and at Elk View Retreat to stay safe around wildlife.

24/11/2023

Be prepared for winter driving when visiting us. Four wheel drive is recommended. Your vehicle may not be able to make it up our driveway without it.

Brush off those winter driving hats because snow is coming back to the Front Range, and it’s not just snow this storm will bring.

18/10/2023

TRR is closed for the season.

Today, Wednesday, October 18, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) officially closed for the season to through travel.

Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails, and no shoulders. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet.

Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of RMNP and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park. Closure points on the road may fluctuate this fall, however the road is closed to through travel for the season.

Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road remain open to bicycles, hikers, and people walking leashed pets through November 30. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. On December 1, both of these roads will revert to "winter trail status" which means that bicycles and leashed pets will no longer be permitted beyond the closed gates, but pedestrians, snowshoers and skiers are.

Visitors coming to Rocky in October should be prepared for winter driving conditions at any time and be ready to adjust travel plans as needed.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - Snow on Trail Ridge Road, taken October 16, 2023

03/10/2023

Always check the hotline before leaving for RMNP this time of year.

Autumn is the season for changing weather in the Rocky Mountains. Trail Ridge Road is temporarily closed on the east side of the park at Rainbow Curve and on the west side of the park at Milner Pass due to ongoing drifting snow and icy road conditions. The road will be re-evaluated tomorrow, October 4.

Visitors coming to Rocky should always be prepared for winter driving during the month of October and be ready to adjust travel plans as needed. At a cresting elevation of 12,183 ft, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States.

For the most up to date information on Trail Ridge Road, call the park's Trail Ridge Road recorded status line at 970-586-1222 and/or follow us on Twitter .

Image Credit: NPS Photo - View of snowy and icy road conditions on Trail Ridge Road, taken the morning of Oct 3, 2023

27/09/2023

Sprague Lake trail updates are complete and the area is fully re-opened.

12/09/2023

Winter is coming…

Good morning from Grand Lake, Colorado! We woke up to the sight of fresh snow on the mountain tops! It's magical, but it's also a good reminder of the unpredictable weather here in the Rockies ❄️

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, it's crucial to be prepared for all types of weather. Here are some ways you can be ready for all 4 seasons:

• Waterproof shoes & layers are your best friend: With temperature variations throughout the day, dressing in layers ensures you stay comfortable. Wear the proper footwear means you can hike longer in all conditions.

• Sunscreen and sunglasses: At high altitudes, the sun is intense, even on snowy days. Protect your skin and eyes.

• Hiking essentials: If you're hitting the trails, carry extra clothing, water, and snacks. Conditions can change rapidly.

• Check the forecast: Keep an eye on the weather forecast before heading out to make informed plans. Check the RMNP webcams to see what conditions are in the Park & at higher elevations.

• Safety first: Sudden storms can roll in. Always have a plan in case of unexpected weather.

So, whether it's sunny or snowy, Grand Lake's waiting for you. Embrace the ever-changing climate, and you'll have an unforgettable adventure!