News Release
Courtesy National Park Service
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Contact: Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer
Contact: Park Information Office, (970) 586-1206
Each year to protect nesting raptors, Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in areas of the park. To ensure that these birds of prey can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed temporarily to public use during nesting season and monitored by wildlife managers.The following temporary closures have been lifted in the Lumpy Ridge area of RMNP: The Book, Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, Left Book, Thunder Buttress, The Needle, and The Parish.
Based on raptor monitoring, the following formations and access trails remain closed for the protection of nesting raptors: Rock One and Twin Owls. For more information and to see a map of closure areas, visit https://go.nps.gov/romo/raptorclosures
Nesting birds of prey include many species of hawks, Peregrine falcons, and Golden eagles. Peregrine falcons can dive at speeds over 200 mph and may cause harm to humans when defending their nests. If disturbance pressure from human use is sustained near a nesting area, birds of prey will abandon their nest, causing chick mortality. These closures are in place for the safety of both visitors and wildlife.
The National Park Service is committed to preserving birds of prey. If nest sites are located or territorial behaviors such as aggressive divebombing/vocalizing or birds fleeing nest sites due to human disturbance are observed, please report the location to e-mail us
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Conservancy for their generous support of raptor monitoring and raptor education projects. The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers. The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Last updated: June 6, 2025