Rocky Mountain National Park
A blanket of snow will change the look of anything. The Kawuneeche Valley in the winter is striking flanked by the peaks of the Never Summer Range. Cross-county and snowshoe trails are quiet and remote. This is Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter. While Trail Ridge Road is closed, the road from Grand Lake into the National Park is open and plowed for the first 10 miles. Once in the park take the time to drive to Timberlake Trailhead and see how snow can strikingly alter an already stunning landscape.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a winter wonderland for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Ranger-led snowshoe or cross-country programs are available Saturdays and Sundays during the winter. Reservations are required for snowshoe tours.
Rocky Mountain National Park is lush forests and still meadows, steep mountain slopes, and unembellished alpine beauty. Take your time and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Rocky Mountain National Park Phone Numbers
General Information
(970) 586-1206 – (Although in the 970 area code, all “586” numbers are in Estes Park and require long distance dialing from Grand County.)
Back Country Office
(970) 586-1242
Emergencies
(970) 586-1203, or 911
Recorded Update
Road/Weather Conditions
(970) 586-1333
Kawuneeche Visitors Center
(970) 627-3471
Open daily 8am-4:30pm--winter; 8am-6pm--summer
Entrance Fees
Single Visit-$20 (vehicle)
Receipt valid for up to seven consecutive days
Individual-$10 Entrance by motorcycle, bicycle or foot
Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass-$35
Valid 12 months from date of purchase, good only in Rocky Mountain National Park
Combined Rocky Mountain National Park pass with Arapaho National Recreation Area- $50
National Parks Pass-$50
Good for all areas in the U.S. administered by the National Park Service
Rocky Mountain National Park
*60 mountains exceed 12,000 ft.
*Summit of Longs Peak is the size of a football field
*300 miles of hiking trails
*The Continental Divide runs northwest to southeast through the park on its course from Alaska to Panama
*Start of the small stream that becomes a great river: The Colorado
Trail Ridge Road
*Hwy 34
*Follows an old Ute trail. Ute, Arapaho and Cheyenne came into Grand County over the mountains in search of game.
*America’s highest continuous highway stays above timberline for eleven miles.
*Highest point: 12,183ft.
*No other road takes you from glaciated valleys through green forests to the untamed tundra. Bringing you eye level with majestic mountain peaks.
*Plowing to open Trail Ridge Road usually begins in April. It may take up to six weeks to complete the clearing of the road. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional target day for the opening of the road.
*Begin at Kawuneeche Visitor Center near Grand Lake to look at exhibits and plan your outing. The road winds through forests of aspen and ponderosa pine, through fir and spruce. At treeline, the stunted, wind-battered trees give way to alpine tundra. The tundra is windy and 20 to 30 degrees colder than Grand Lake. Bring a warm jacket; it can be windy and cold even in summer.
Trail Ridge Road covers 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park. The road is openlate May through mid-October. The journey starts out in a valley home to majestic elk taking you into the alpine tundra. This is not a high-speed highway. The road is well maintained, but contains curves and switchbacks. More importantly, animals could be on the road, so drive carefully. Allow at least three hours to see and enjoy all that is part of this breath-taking road.
The National Park Service has closed Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park to snowmobiles. Eliminating snowmobiles on Trail Ridge Road is intended to preserve important winter habitat for bighorn sheep and elk. The Colorado Snowmobile Association supports the closure. The North Supply Access Road that connects to 100 miles of Forest Service roads remains open.
Clothes Clue : At treeline, the wind-battered trees give way to alpine tundra. The tundra is windy and 20-30 degrees colder than Grand Lake. Bring a warm jacket; it can be windy and cold even in summer.
Quick Tip: Smoking is a wildfire hazard. Rocky Mountain National Park has a fire ban on smoking except in enclosed vehicles or buildings inside a developed recreation site. You may smoke outdoors in an area of at least 3 feet in diameter that has been cleared of all combustible materials.
