Rocky Mountain

Ranger-Led Programs

Ranger Program_Sheep Skull

NPS

2024 Summer Ranger-Led Programs

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, , 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.

East Side (Estes Park) Programs

Program Name Program Description Location Days of Week Time of Program Length Season Dates
Discovery Birding! Discover the park’s migratory and resident birds on this easy ranger-led guided walk within Upper Beaver Meadows. Meet at end of Upper Beaver Meadows Road Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM 1 hour Starts May 20
Bighorn Basics Talk A symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park since 1915, explore the natural history and behavior of the elusive bighorn sheep. Will you spot one today? Sheep Lakes Information Station Daily 10:30 AM
11:30 AM
2:30 PM
3:30 PM
15-20 minutes May 25 - August 18
Campground Evening Discoveries Spend an evening with a ranger for an activity, talk, or walk! Stop by the visitor center to find out what the program topics are each week. Glacier Basin Campground Amphitheater Friday, Saturday 8:00 PM 45-60 minutes Starts May 31
Rocky Mountain Speaks Explore Rocky through a new lens! Join us as guest presenters cover a variety of topics, from science and history, and everything in between. Stop at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center for topics. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 1:00 PM 1 hour Starts June 9


West Side (Grand Lake) Programs

Program Name Program Description Location Days of the Week Time of Program Length Season Dates
Holzwarth Stories Step back in time for this ranger talk, to learn about the Holzwarth family. Holzwarth Historic Site (1/2 mile walk from parking area) Daily 11:00 AM 20 minutes Starts May 25
Life on the Homestead Talk Discover what it was like to be a homesteader in the Kawuneeche Valley. Fleshuts Cabin - at Holzwarth Parking Area Daily 3:15 PM 20 minutes Starts May 25
Drop-In Program: Cocoa with a Ranger Join anytime between 8-8:45 am to learn about recreational activities on the west side of the park. And enjoy free hot cocoa to start your day! Kawuneeche Visitor Center Daily 8:00 AM 45 minutes Starts May 25
Drop-In Program: Critter Chat Join anytime between 1-2 pm to discover the different types of animals that live on the west side of the park. Kawuneeche Visitor Center Daily 1:00 PM 1 hour Starts May 25
Drop-In Program: Wetlands Wildlife Join anytime between 10:30-11:15 am to learn about beavers and moose! Coyote Valley Trailhead Daily 10:30 AM 45 minutes Starts May 25
Fire Ecology Walk See firsthand how fire interacts with Rocky’s landscapes as you walk on the Tonahutu Spur Trail through a recently burned area. Kawuneeche Visitor Center Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 9:15 AM 45 minutes Starts June 1
Feathers & Flowers Walk Explore the birds and wildflowers that call the Kawuneeche Valley home. Green Mountain Trailhead Wednesday, Saturday 9:45 AM 45 minutes Starts June 1
Recreate Like a Ranger Spend an early evening with a ranger! Learn how to do a park ranger’s favorite outdoor activity at Rocky during this family-friendly program. Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater Daily 5:30 PM 30-40 minutes Starts July 1


Alpine Visitor Center Area Programs

Program Name Program Description Location Days of the Week Time of Program Length Season Dates
High Country Tales Join a ranger for this talk, to hear stories of how humans and wildlife interact with the alpine environment. Alpine Visitor Center Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 2:30 PM 20 minutes Starts June 9
Tundra Nature Walk Discover what makes the alpine tundra such an amazing place! Bring warm layers, snacks, water, and sunscreen for this easy walk. Medicine Bow Curve Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 AM 1-1.5 hours June 16-Aug. 17
Alpine Adventure Hike Share in the beauty of the tundra on this moderately strenuous, high-elevation, off-trail hike. Bring warm layers, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Forest Canyon Overlook Thursday 9:30 AM 3 hours June 27-Aug. 8


Fishing Drop-In Programs

Interested in learning about the fish that live in the Rocky Mountains? Want to learn how to fish? Stop by and learn about the safety and ethics of fishing...and maybe even catch one yourself! Fishing gear provided.*Please note: anyone 16 and older must have a Colorado Fish and Wildlife permit to fish.
Program Name Program Description Location Days of the Week Time of Program Length Season Dates
Hooked on Fishing (East Side) Drop in and find the fishing ranger anytime between 9:30-11:00 am. Cast your line while learning about fishing...and maybe hook a big one! Sprague Lake
**Requires Timed Entry Plus Permit (Bear Lake Rd).
Wednesday, Sunday 9:30 AM 1.5 hours Starts May 26
Junior Angler Adventures (East Side Calling all Jr Anglers! Join a park ranger anytime between 8:30-10:30 am every Thursday to learn how to fish. Kids can earn a Junior Angler Badge! Park at Alluvial Fan west; Meet in meadow across from parking lot Thursday 8:30 AM 2 hours Starts May 30
Junior Angler Programs (West Side) Calling all Jr Anglers! Join a park ranger anytime between 9:30 am-1:30 pm every Friday to learn how to fly fish. Kids can earn a Junior Angler Badge! Holzwarth Historic Site bridge, 1/4 mile from parking area Friday 9:30 AM 4 hours Starts June 7


Family Programs

Program Name Program Description Location Days of the Week Time of Program Length Season Dates
Amazing Rocky! Meet a park ranger for this interactive talk, to learn more about a variety of topics in a fun and engaging environment. Moraine Park Discovery Center
**Requires Timed Entry Plus Permit (Bear Lake Rd).
Daily 2:00 PM 30 minutes Starts May 18
Drop-In Program: What Rangers Do Meet rangers every Thursday at Hidden Valley to learn about the different jobs they do in the park. Junior Ranger Headquarters (Hidden Valley) Thursday Varies Varies Starts May 18
Drop-In Program: Discover Rocky Join anytime to participate in table-top, hands-on activities about the park. Moraine Park Discovery Center
**Requires Timed Entry Plus Permit (Bear Lake Rd).
Daily 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Varies Starts May 18
Drop-In Program: RockyLAB Dive into hands-on fun! Dissect an owl pellet, design a ranger station, or cast a wildlife track...and more! Perfect for all ages. What will you discover? Fall River Visitor Center Daily 9:30 AM
1:30 PM
2 hours Starts May 25
West Side Junior Ranger Programs Hey kids! Join a park ranger anytime between 9:30 am-1:30 pm for a Junior Ranger Event every Thursday. Kids will earn a special prize each time! Topics and locations vary from week to week. Stop at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center or call (970) 586-1206 for topics and locations. Kawuneeche Valley - West Side (Grand Lake) Thursday 9:30 AM 4 hours Starts June 6


 

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Last updated: May 28, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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