Area Closures to Protect Plants & Animals

 

Why are there Area Closures in Place?

In order to protect the park's resources, the Superintendent may close certain areas of the park throughout the year. Some areas may be closed for weeks or months and some areas in the park are closed year round.

This is not an all-inclusive list of closures in Rocky Mountain National Park. Closure notices are posted throughout the park. Visit a park visitor center to receive updated closure information.

Entering closed areas is a violation of 36 CFR 1.5. Violators are subject to a fine of $5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

 

Alpine plants can take decades to recover from human trampling.

NPS Photo

Tundra Closures

Tundra Closures are designated to restrict use and protect fragile alpine tundra from damage caused by heavy, concentrated foot travel. Off-trail hiking is prohibited within 100 yards of the trails and parking lots in these areas unless otherwise designated.

Forest Canyon Overlook

• Adjacent to the parking lot and trail on the south side of Trail Ridge Road

Rock Cut

• Adjacent to the parking areas on both the north and south sides of Trail Ridge Road and along the Tundra Communities Trail corridor

Lava Cliffs

• Adjacent to the parking lot on the north side of Trail Ridge Road and along the cliffs themselves

Gore Range Overlook

• Adjacent to and below the parking area on the south side of Trail Ridge Road

Alpine Visitor Center

• Adjacent to the parking area and Alpine Ridge Trail

 

Bull elk can be aggressive during the rut

NPS

Elk Rut Closures

September 1 through October 31

To prevent disturbance and harassment of elk during the fall mating period and to enhance visitor elk-viewing opportunities, areas in Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Harbison Meadow, and Holzwarth Meadow are closed to the following acts from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily:

• Foot travel off established roadways and designated trails or on closed roadways or trails.
• Fishing in those sections of Fall River, Big Thompson River, or Colorado River within the areas listed above are closed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

 

Closures protect nesting raptors in the park.

NPS/Marino

Raptor Closures

February 15 through July 31, if appropriate

Each year, Rocky Mountain National Park initiates temporary closures in certain areas of the park to ensure birds of prey (also known as raptors) will be undisturbed during their breeding and nesting seasons. Raptors are sensitive to human disturbance during these times and repeated breeding failures can reduce overall raptor species populations.

These closures begin on February 15 and continue through July 31, if appropriate. Closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on raptor nesting activity.

When closed, the closures include the named rock formations and the areas surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes, and climber's access trails to the formation.

For all details and maps of raptor closure areas, visit RMNP's Raptor Closures page at https://www.nps.gov/romo/raptor-closures.htm

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Bald Eagle Closures

November 15 through March 15

Closures are in effect on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park near the Colorado River annually from November 15 through March 15 for the protection of migrating Bald Eagles. Each winter, Bald Eagles return to a communal winter roost site near the Colorado River, on U.S. Forest Service land adjacent to the park. To limit disturbance, Rocky Mountain National Park closes portions of the East Shore trail, a stretch of the Colorado River, and Columbine Bay.

The Colorado River and a zone 300-yards wide on both sides of the river are closed to human entry during this time. Hiking on Ranger Meadows Loop trail, outside the closure, is permitted.

Closures are collaboratively managed by Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Forest Service and will be lifted or extended as necessary. Violators will be fined and prosecuted.

For details and to see a map of the closure area, visit the Raptor Closures webpage at https://www.nps.gov/romo/raptor-closures.htm

 

Map of closure area along the Colorado River for the protection of migrating Bald Eagles

NPS

 

Bighorn sheep depend thrive in steep terrain.

NPS

Bighorn Sheep Closures

Seasonal: April 15–August 31

Each year from April 15-August 31, Horseshoe Park and the West Alluvial Fan areas are closed to:

• Foot travel off established roadways or designated trails.
• Stopping or parking vehicles within the Bighorn Crossing Zone, unless otherwise directed by Park Staff.

The purpose of this closure is to prevent disturbance and harassment of wildlife, particularly bighorn sheep, while enroute to/from, or while using the natural mineral lick at Sheep Lakes, and to enhance visitor wildlife viewing opportunities.

Year-Round

"The Crater" and surrounding open tundra slopes on Specimen and Shipler Mountains are closed year-round to all travel for the protection of bighorn sheep. View a map of the closure.