Explore the history and nature of the Rocky Mountains on a ranger-led program. Walks, talks and other ranger-guided activities are free and open to the public. Ranger programs (topics, descriptions, times, and locations) are posted at visitor centers throughout the park. Programs may be canceled at the last minute, due to unforeseen circumstances like thunder, lightning, winter storms, or staff availability. We advise that you check at one of the park's visitor centers to see if a program is scheduled and/or to check on the status of a program.
2024 Winter Programs:
District
Program Name
Program Description
Days of
the Week
Time & Length
Location
Season Dates
East Side (Estes Park)
Track Scene Investigation
Discover the hidden signs of wildlife! Join a ranger for a guided walk searching for signs of wildlife: tracks, beds, tree rubs... and yes, even scat. What clues will you be able to find?
Sundays
1:00 pm,
1 hour
W. Alluvial Fan Parking Lot
Through
April 7
East Side (Estes Park)
Winter Speaker Series
Explore Rocky through a new lens! Join us as guest presenters cover a variety of topics, from science to history and everything in between. This program is done in conjunction with Rocky Mountain Conservancy; more information can be found on their website.
Sundays
2:00 pm,
1 hour
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Through
April 21
East Side (Estes Park)
Rocky Lab
Drop into Rocky LAB and dive into hands-on fun. Explore activities like dissecting owl pellets, building an alluvial fan, investigating snow science, and more! Perfect for all ages. What will you discover?
Saturdays & Sundays
2:00 pm,
2 hours
Fall River Visitor Center
Through
April 7
East Side (Estes Park)
Ice Fishing
Sprague Lake may be frozen, but the fish are still biting! Bundle up and come give ice fishing a try.
Saturdays
11:00 am,
1.5 hours
Sprague Lake
Through
April 6
East Side (Estes Park)
Winter Survival Discovery
Rocky's harsh conditions require unique adaptations. Discover what it takes for wildlife to survive in these extreme conditions. Drop by for this self-led learning experience.
Every Day
Ongoing
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Through
April 7
East Side (Estes Park)
Winter Explorer
Drop in to explore winter at Hidden Valley. Borrow a Jr Ranger Explorer Bag from a ranger to use tools to investigate winter mysterys of Rocky.
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays
Ongoing
Hidden Valley
Through
April 8
East Side (Estes Park)
Fireside Chat with a Ranger
Join a ranger for a campfire chat to hear tales of survival at Sprague Lake.
Fridays
10:00 am,
2 hours
Sprague Lake
Through March 8
East Side (Estes Park)
Snowshoe Walk
Join a Ranger for an afternoon of exploration! Snowshoe walks travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows or mixed conifer forests within the park. Reservations are required. More information...
Tuesdays & Thursdays
12:30 pm,
2 hours
TBD
Through March 28
West Side (Grand Lake)
Snowshoe Walk
Join a Ranger for an afternoon of exploration! Snowshoe walks travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows or mixed conifer forests within the park. Reservations are required. More information...
Saturdays & Sundays
1:00 pm,
2 hours
TBD
Through March 17
West Side (Grand Lake)
Nordic Ski Tour
Join a ranger-led cross-country (Nordic) ski tour to explore RMNP during Winter. Ranger-led ski tours travel through snow-covered meadows and mixed conifer forests within the Kawuneeche Valley, on the west side of the park. Reservations are required. Please scroll down for more information about these tours.
Fridays
1:00 pm,
2 hours
TBD
Through March 15
This year we are offering Ranger-Led Nordic Ski Tours on the West Side of the park! Join a ranger-led cross-country (Nordic) ski tour to explore Rocky Mountain National Park during winter. Ranger-led ski tours travel through snow-covered meadows and mixed conifer forests within the Kawuneeche Valley, on the west side of the park.
In 2024, programs are offered at 1pm every Friday in February & March: Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23, Mar 1, Mar 8, and Mar 15.
Nordic ski tours last approximately 1-2 hours and are conducted off-trail on non-groomed routes.
These programs are offered on the WEST SIDE of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the town of Grand Lake, CO. (**These programs are located 3.5 hours away from Estes Park, CO.)
Some experience with XC skiing is necessary to participate. Participants should have basic familiarity with cross-county skiing - this tour is not designed to be a lesson for brand-new beginner skiers. Participants should have some knowledge or familiarity of nordic skiing techniques and equipment, and know how to snap into and out of ski bindings.
Ranger-guided nordic ski programs are not suitable for younger children. Program is open to ages 16 and older.
Ski tours are considered to be moderately strenuous. These programs take place at 9,000 feet of elevation and may not be suitable for individuals sensitive to high elevations.
Participants must have a baseline fitness level that allows them to ski approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevation. One mile of cross-country skiing is more strenuous than a typical hike. You may consider this activity level equal to hiking at least two miles on a summer trail, jogging one mile, or biking three miles.
Participants should have some knowledge or familiarity of nordic skiing techniques and equipment, and know how to snap into and out of ski bindings.
Nordic ski equipment is NOT provided for this program. Participants must rent or bring their own skis, boots, and poles. Ski equipment can be rented in the nearby town of Grand Lake. There are no winter equipment rentals available within park boundaries.
Appropriate clothing is essential and required, including layered clothing, water/wind resistant outer layers, hat, gloves, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
XC ski tours may be cancelled at the last minute due to poor weather or snow conditions. If programs are cancelled, we will contact participants on the reservation list.
Reservations are REQUIRED for Ranger-Led Nordic Ski Tours
Reservations are free. Call 970-586-1513 to reserve a spot for a West Side (Grand Lake) XC ski tour. Reservations are taken on the Wednesday before the scheduled program, in the order they are received.
Space is limited to a total of 12 people per program. Programs are open to ages 16 and older.
Due to limited space, a maximum of 4 members of the same group may sign up for a reservation.
Once reservations are full, a waiting list will be started. Please call if you need to cancel. Once a cancellation is received, we will contact the next person on the waiting list.
It is the responsibility of the group leader (person making the reservation) to disseminate safety information to their entire group, including information about XC ski tours being moderately strenuous and being prepared with appropriate winter clothing.
Make sure you schedule enough time to rent equipment and drive to the designated trailhead inside the park boundary. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before program start time.
All ranger-led nordic ski tours are by reservation! Please do not show up at the trailhead the day of the program without a reservation.
