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.
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.