• Hikers on Granite Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park/NPS photo by John Marino

    Rocky Mountain

    National Park Colorado

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  • Bear Lake Road Reconstruction Project

    Major construction work on Bear Lake Road in 2012 & 2013 includes changes to park shuttle routes, significant delays, and some night closures. More »

  • Park Fires

    Get the latest information on how current park fires might affect your visit. More »

Forest Health: Science Videos

forest health also includes:

Forest Health Home Campgrounds
Mountain Pine Beetle Parkwide Efforts
News Releases Projects & Closures
Falling Trees Other Resources
 
a photo of a tree damaged by mountain pine beetle

The Mountain Pine Beetle
Why are there so many brown trees? The Mountain Pine Beetle is one of several common, native insects that challenge western pine forests. Drought conditions, mild winters, dwarf mistletoe infestations, dense late seral mature forest stands, and a lack of wildland fires have contributed to the outbreak. The scale of the current beetle epidemic is unprecedented in historic times, with millions of acres of trees being affected throughout the West from Mexico to British Columbia.

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To view more science videos about Rocky Mountain National Park, click here.

Did You Know?

a photo of a lady playing golf in Moraine Park,a photo of a lady playing golf in Moraine Park

Moraine Park was once a booming settlement. As the rustic cabins grew into lodges, the inn keepers built more facilities to serve guests. Stead's Resort had both a swimming pool and a golf course.