Ranger Guided

Students discover an elk skeleton

Courtesy NPS

Schedule a Field Trip
The Heart of the Rockies Education Program at Rocky Mountain National Park offers year round educational programming for grades K-12. Programs are scheduled on a first come first served basis.

Before Making Your Reservation
Review the selection of field programs offered for your grade level. Select a program and three preferred field trip dates and times.

Elementary Programs 2013
Secondary Programs 2013

Please Note:
Programs are offered January - early November.
Seasonal weather determines when programs can be offered.
Each program decription includes a recommended length of time for the program.
Individualized programs can be created for your group.

Make a Reservation
Call to register at 970-586-3777. Reservations are made on a first come first served basis. We recommend that you call at least three months in advance of your desired date.

Make sure to have the following information when calling to schedule your trip:
1. Three or more preferred dates and times
2. The age/grade and number of students.
Programs are offered for K though college level students.
Spring and fall programs are limited to 60 students.
Winter programs are limited to 30 students.
3. School phone number and address
4. Your phone number (cell# is preferred) and e-mail address
5. Special needs or disability information for your group
6. The topic or program that you would like for your group

Confirmation of Your Reservation
After making your reservation, we will send you a confirmation letter and pre-visit packet that includes directions, a fee waiver for free entrance into the park, a list of field trip essentials, student expectations, and chaperone expectations.

Cancellations
To cancel a program, please call 970-586-3777 at least two weeks in advance of the date of your program.

Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather. In the case of a weather cancellation, we will contact you to discuss possible options. If you are concerned about the weather conditions, please call us. Programs may be rescheduled to a later date, however, we cannot guarantee a reschedule date.

Programs may be canceled for groups who are more than 30 minutes late without prior contact with us.

Field Trip Information
Field Trip Duration: Most programs are designed for a 4.5 hour visit, including lunch. Please see the menu of programs for suggested program lengths.

Allowable Number of Participants: We request that groups include a minimum of seven participants. The maximum number of individuals we can accommodate at one time will vary depending on staffing. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons we are limited to a maximum of 60 participants. During the winter season, we are limited to a maximum of 30 participants. Larger groups are encouraged to schedule on two consecutive days.

If you are not able to bring at least seven students for the scheduled program, we ask that you cancel the program.

Chaperone to Student Ratio: We require that you provide at least one chaperone for every 10 students. We recommend a ratio of four to one for grades k-2 and a ratio of six to one for grades
3-5.

Field Trip Cost: All education programs offered by Rocky Mountain National Park are free for school groups. Our program is funded by your tax dollars and donations to the Rocky Mountain Nature Association. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-0108.

Accessibility: There are a few wheelchair accessible trails within the park and all of our visitor centers are ADA accessible. Most of our programs can be relocated or modified to provide accessibility. Please let us know if you have any participants that require an accessible site.

Location and Directions: Please click here for a park map and driving directions.

Weather: Please click here to connect to NOAA's weather page for Estes Park.