Self Guided

Two adults and a child kneel by a lake alongside grasses and trees.
Exploring nature at Rocky Mountain National Park.

NPS Photo, by T. Morse.

Plan a Self Guided Visit
Rocky Mountain National Park is an ideal outdoor classroom. It has a diversity of natural resources, easy spring and fall access, and close proximity to Front Range and Grand County communities. Rocky Mountain offers the availability of Moraine Park Discovery Center, the Fall River Visitor Center, Kawuneeche Visitor Center, and a wealth of field sites for self-guided visits.

Self Guided Activities
Use these free resources to explore nature during your visit. Each field trip activity was created by Rocky Mountain National Park's team of Education Rangers and is standards-based for individual grade levels. These activities can be led by parents, family members or caregivers with regular household items. Cell service is not consistent throughout the park, so it is recommended to download or print these resources in advance.

(You may need to download the Free Adobe Reader.)

Want to learn more? Check out our Fun Facts For Kids for a treasure trove of informative links!

Safety
Know before you go! Always follow current health guidelines from state and local authorities. You are responsible to check for any changes in regulations/restrictions for public lands, parks and neighborhoods. Check current park guidance by visiting the Current Conditions page.

Weather in Rocky Mountain National Park
changes quickly and is always colder and windier than on the Front Range. Be sure students are prepared for adverse weather. Students should dress in layers and always take along warm jackets or sweaters. Check for appropriate clothing before students board the bus. Shoes with laces and drinking water are essential. Should a student (or adult) become separated from the group, contact park rangers immediately (dial 911).


Educational Field Sites
These locations are ideal for educational group visits. Most offer restrooms and picnic tables with easy access for school buses and to hiking trails and study areas. Some of the sites also offer drinking water seasonally. For more information on individual sites visit our Education Sites Video Tours.

  • Hidden Valley
  • Alluvial Fan
  • Hollowell Park
  • Cub Lake/Fern Lake Trailhead
  • Lily Lake
  • Moraine Park Discovery Center (open seasonally)
  • Upper Beaver Meadows
  • Sprague Lake

Reservations for Group Use of Visitor Centers

Reservations are required for the use of Moraine Park Discovery Center or Fall River Visitor Center by groups. We recommend that you schedule a 30 minute welcome program provided for free by a Ranger for your group to orient the students to the facility and Park. There is no fee to reserve the museum, nor for the welcome program. Because of the popularity of these facilities, please have alternate trip days in mind. Reservations are made on a first-come basis, and must be made at least 30 days in advance. To Reserve use of Moraine Park Discovery Center or Fall River Visitor Center please call the Education and Outreach Coordinator at (970) 586-1338.

Moraine Park Discovery Center is an insightful starting point for any visit to the Park. The museum displays highlight the park geology, glacial history, human history, weather and climate, and ecology. Reservations are scheduled from 9am - 4pm. The building can accommodate a maximum of 80 students; 40 maximum in the exhibit area and 40 maximum in the downstairs reception room. From the museum, access to a wide variety of study sites and trails is only minutes away. Upon request, a ranger will greet your students with a 30-minute welcome program about Rocky Mountain National Park and the treasures that it protects. The welcome program is free and given to the whole group upon arrival. There is no fee to reserve the discovery center, nor for the welcome program. Reservations are made on a first-come basis, and must be made at least 30 days in advance.

Fall River Visitor Center is a gateway for schools planning to conduct field studies in the Horseshoe Park or Alluvial Fan areas. The visitor center features beautiful exhibits using seasonal themes of the most often viewed wildlife in the Park. Fall River Visitor Center is available by reservation only for the autumn or spring The building can accommodate a maximum of 80 students; 40 maximum in the exhibit area and 40 maximum in the downstairs discovery room. Upon request, a ranger will greet your students with a 30-minute welcome program about Rocky Mountain National Park and the treasures that it protects. The welcome program is free and given to the whole group upon arrival. Teachers can use the discovery room as a staging area or for indoor activities of their choosing. Reservations are made on a first-come basis, and must be made at least 30 days in advance.

Last updated: February 26, 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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