Most national parks are open year-round and, like other popular destinations, experience fluctuations in visitor numbers. During a recent visit to Colorado, I decided to visit Rocky Mountain National Park during Spring Break. Though a busy time to travel, in the park, there were virtually no visitors. Entering via the Estes Park entrance, there were no parking issues and no required vehicle permits. Here are the top things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park this Spring.
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park this Spring
Learn About Rocky Mountain National Park
Stop at a Visitor Center
Drive a Scenic Drive
Take a Hike
Go Snowshoeing
See a Frozen Mountain Lake
See Wildlife
Snow Play in the Park
Earn a Junior Ranger Badge
Why Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter and Early Spring
The Rocky Mountains are huge. It’s the mountain chain that divides the North America watershed. The park itself is 415 square miles or 265,807 acres. It offers a diverse landscape to discover, from its mountain meadows to its peaks of over 14,000 feet to its pristine mountain lakes.
During the late winter and early spring, the East Entrance is the easiest to enter. During this time period, a vehicle passes are not required.
During our March visit, we entered the Eastern side of the park with no waiting. We drove from areas with no snow on the ground to areas where we needed snow boots, and the sledding area was open.
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Visitor Centers in Rocky Mountain National Park
There are five visitor centers in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the Eastern Side of the park, there are two visitor centers open in the winter and early spring.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is a National Historic Landmark, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture in 1967. It is the main visitor center and is open year-round with seasonal hours.
Located at 1000 U.S. Highway 36 in Estes Park. The winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fall River Visitor Center
Home to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Center. It is west of Estes Park.
Located at 3450 Fall River Road. The Fall River Visitor Center is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Scenic Drives in Rocky Mountain National Park During Winter or Early Spring
Parts of the park are at a higher elevation than Estes Park. During my trip, the roads and the parking lots were also clear of snow.
However, you should check in with the Rocky Mountain National Park page before venturing into the park. The Visitor Center also has information on the road conditions.
Bear Lake Road
This is a 10.5-mile (16.8 km) road from Moraine Lake Visitor Center to Bear Lake. In the summer, you will need to use the shuttle. However, in the winter and early spring, you can drive your car.
During my March visit, I found ample parking at popular places like Bear Creek and Sprague Lake. There is also a lot of turnout along the route for pulling over.
The Bear Lake area offers several mountain peaks over 12,000 feet.
Flattop Mountain at 12,326′
Hallett Peak at 12,598′
Hayden Spire at 12,421′
Knobtop Mountain at 12,336′
Ptarmigan Point at 12,270′
Snowdrift Peak at 12,205’
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road, also known as U.S. Highway 34, traverses the park. The higher elevations of the road between Many Parks Curve on the east and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west are closed from fall until spring.
However, part of the road is open during the winter season. During our trip, we visited the Hidden Valley Sledding Hill, 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. You can also continue up to Many Parks Curve for a scenic overlook.
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Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
If you are prepared with traction devices, walking poles, or snowshoes, winter and early spring are an excellent time to explore. Remember that the elevations in the park are from 7,500 to over 12,000 feet. Here are some of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park’s east side.
Bear Lake—A flat .6-mile loop
Sprague Lake Loop—A flat .5-mile loop
Lily Lake Loop—An accessible .8-mile loop
Albert Falls Trail—A 1.6-mile in-and-out trail with a 226-foot elevation.
During our visit, we hiked on Bear Lake and around it. We also hiked along the edge of Sprague Lake Loop.
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Easiest Lakes to See on the East Side
During your visit, visit one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s pristine alpine lakes. Although the lakes are frozen in the winter and early spring, it is a pleasant hike. Here are the best lakes on the East Side.
Bear Lake
Sprague Lake
Lily Lake
Bierstadt Lake
I wore snowshoes to cross Bear Lake; then I hiked around its trail. Snowshoes weren’t necessary, but additional shoe traction devices are advised.
I also hike at Sprague Lake. It is at a lower elevation than Bear and was thawing along the edges. The views are nice, and the hiking conditions are easy.
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Wildlife Viewing in the Rockies
Wildlife is abundant in the Rocky Mountains, even during the quieter times of the year. I saw lots of elk during my visit. Depending on the time of the year, you can find the following animals.
During my visit, I saw elk in the Beaver Meadow area since that area offers grazing.
Elk
Mule Deer
Big Horned Sheep
Yellow-bellied marmot
Coyote
Beaver
Mountain Lion
Moose
Black Beer
Pika
Chipmunks
Bats
Snowshoe Hare
Bears in the Rockies
Though encounters are rare, Park Rangers offer some guidelines to reduce bear encounters:
Remain observant.
Hike in groups.
Keep campsites clean.
Make noise while hiking by wearing bear bells and talking.
Don’t approach bears or let bears approach you.
If a bear notices you, you are too close. Back away slowly and if attacked, fight back. Don’t play dead.
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Snow Play in Rocky Mountain National Park
If you are traveling with kids, pack a sled or saucer. Rocky Mountain National Park offers a sled hill inside the park, accessible via the East Side.
Along Trail Ridge Road, families head to Hidden Valley Sledding Hill. Visitors will find a large parking lot, a year-round restroom with running water and hand dryers (also good for wet gloves and socks). This is the area where the seasonal Junior Ranger Headquarters is located, so there is a covered breezeway.
During the winter, the National Park Service dedicates this site to snow play, including DIY skiing and snowboarding. The area is fenced off, much like a ski resort.
However, this area is unmonitored, and there is no tow rope. So, kids will be climbing the hill to sled down. This area is also a favorite for skiing and snowboarding, but sledding has the right-of-way.
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Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges that the Rangers present them after completing their booklet.
You can pick up a booklet at any visitor center and complete the age-appropriate activities. Then, return for a souvenir badge and certificate. There are three booklets: ages 5 and younger, ages 6 to 8, and ages 9 and up. There is also Junior Ranger booklets in Spanish.
During the summer, the seasonal Junior Ranger Headquarters is the place for kids. There are special activities, like touch tables and discovery bags for self-guided hikes.
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Where to Camp in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park doesn’t offer a traditional national park lodge inside the park. During the winter and early spring, there is only one option inside the park. Most campgrounds are open seasonally from May until September or October.
Aspenglen Campground near Fall River entrance
Open year-round
First-Come, First Served during Winter
52 sites without hookups
Seasonal Potable water and flush toilets
No showers or dump station
Altitude Sickness
Anytime you go above 8,000 feet, you can experience Altitude Sickness. Look for the following symptoms. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or health.
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Trouble sleeping
Over-the-counter medications can help, and symptoms should improve in 24 or 48 hours. However, if symptoms don’t improve or get worse, consult a medical professional.
How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park is about 5 miles from the Fall River Entrance on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Denver is approximately 70 miles from the Fall River Entrance.
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One-day admission is $30 per car, or a 7-day pass is $35. You can use an NPS annual pass for your visit. Vehicle permits are not required during the winter and early spring. They are required starting in late May through the fall color season.
Find seasonal road closures from October until May.
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