Enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park During the Holidays

Date: December 13, 2011
Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

The holiday season is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to beautiful scenery, wildlife viewing and a variety of winter recreational activities to do on your own, some fun activities with park rangers are offered. Rocky Mountain National Park has a calendar full of fun family activities for the holidays. 

On the east side of the park:  

Winter Storytime - December 26 through January 2 at 10:00 a.m. daily Read with a Ranger!  Hear stories about the wonders of the winter season. Meet at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (located on Highway 36) for this 30-minute program. 

Skins and Skulls - December 26 through January 1 at 2:00 p.m. daily Meet Rocky's wildlife!  Come to this 30-minute program at Fall River Visitor Center (located on Highway 34) for a hands-on experience. 

Snowshoe Ecology Walks - December 26, January 1 and January 2 at 12:30 p.m. Join a ranger for a beginner-level snowshoe tour exploring the natural world of a subalpine forest. Ages 8 years old and above. Participants will need to bring their own snowshoes which can be rented at sporting goods stores. Reservations required - call [phone] beginning December 19. 

Spirit of the Mountains - Shown by request daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See the stunning 23 minute park film at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (located on Highway 36).

On the west side of the park: 

Ski the Wilderness - Join a park ranger for this 1.5 hour cross-country ski tour of the Kawuneeche Valley. For ages 8 and above. December 31 at 9:30 a.m. Reservations required - call [phone] beginning December 24. 

Snowshoe in the Kawuneeche - Beginner-level snowshoe tour with a ranger. December 17, December 24 and December 31 at 1:00 p.m. Intermediate-level snowshoe tours held December 18, and January 1 at 1:00 p.m. For ages 8 and above. Reservations required - call [phone] no more than seven days in advance. 

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open daily 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, closed on December 25. They feature the free park film, bookstore and general park information. Fall River Visitor Center is open December 26 through December 30 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. as well as weekends throughout the winter, closed December 25. Features general park information, life-sized wildlife displays, a bookstore, and a discovery room where kids can touch objects and dress up as rangers, American Indians, and pioneers. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park and to learn more about additional snowshoe and ski programs being offered after the holiday season, please call the park's Information Office at [phone]. All park visitor centers and the Information Office will be closed on December 25.