Horses and Pack Animals

 

Visitors on a trail ride in Rocky Mountain National Park

NPS Photo by D. Biddle

Horses have been part of Rocky Mountain National Park's tradition since its designation in 1915. Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park that are not listed as closed or with seasonal closures are open to private and commercial stock use. Horses and other pack animals, including mules, ponies, llamas, and burros, may be used only on existing trails open for stock use.

Goats are not permitted on any trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Resources for Visiting Rocky with Horses and Pack Animals

• Interested in going on a guided horseback ride? There is one stable facility located within the park: Glacier Creek Stables. There are also many stables located outside of the park; click to find information for the various stables in the area.
• All stable facilities in the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas are seasonal. Most are open May through October; check with businesses for their operational dates and additional information.
• Interested in going backcountry camping with horses or pack animals? Stock are only permitted at established backcountry campsites designated for stock use.

 

Rules of the Trail

All RMNP rules related to horses and pack animals are listed in the Superintendent's Compendium under 36 CFR § 2.16: Horses and Pack Animals

All stock must remain on existing trails. Travel off trail and cross-country is not permitted.

Horses and Pack Animals and Road Use Exceptions

Horses and pack animals are not permitted on park roads, with the following exceptions:

• Bowen-Baker Road from paved parking area to park boundary
• Fern Lake Road between the winter closure point and trailhead to reach Fern Lake Trail
• Kaley Cottage Road
• McGraw Ranch Road
• Upper Beaver Meadows Road to reach Beaver Mountain, Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, and Deer Ridge Trails
• North Inlet Road to Summerland Park
• Twin Sisters Trail Access Road
• Wild Basin Road to access trails open to horses in the Wild Basin area

Horses and Pack Animals Trail Use Exceptions

• Horses and pack animals may be used only on park trails designated for pack animal use.
• However, llamas are permitted on the Jim’s Grove unimproved trail for purposes of administrative use, but only when emergency conditions warrant. Cross-country areas and Research Natural Areas are closed to pack animal use.
• Seasonal and emergency closures of trails to horse and pack animals may be in effect at various locations throughout the park when necessary for environmental or safety reasons. Guided horse concessions will be notified when these closures are in effect.

Horses and Pack Animals Seasonal Closure Areas

• To prevent resource damage, as well as possible injuries to pack animals and riders/users, the following trail portions are closed to all pack animal use from October 15 through July 31:
  • The portions of Flattop, Tonahutu Creek, and North Inlet trails that are above tree line
  • These trails may be opened to pack animal use prior to or after August 1, depending on environmental conditions and as announced by the Superintendent.

Seasonal closures of any trail to horse and pack animal use may be in effect at various locations throughout the park when necessary for the protection of resources or safety reasons. Such closures will be posted and published.

Horses and Pack Animals Closures

The following trails are closed to the use of horses and pack animals (exceptions are provided, as indicated, for use of llamas):

• Bear Lake Area
  • Bear Lake Nature Trail
  • Emerald Lake Trail - Includes spur trails to Dream Lake and Nymph Lake
  • Lake Haiyaha Trail and connection to The Loch-Mills Junction
  • Loch Vale Trail - Beyond The Loch-Mills Junction
  • Mills Lake Trail - Beyond the hitch rail near The Loch-Mills Junction

• Colorado River District
  • Specimen Mountain Trail
  • Poudre River Trail - Chapin Creek to Milner Pass
  • Chapin Creek Primitive Trail (cross-country route)
  • Poudre River to Chapin Pass
  • Mirror Lake Trail - Beyond Comanche Peak Trail Junction
  • Haynach Lake Trail - Beyond Tonahutu Creek Trail. Open to llama use from Tonahutu Creek Trail to Haynach Lake campsites.
  • East Inlet Trail - Beyond west end of Lake Verna
  • Long Meadow - Between Onahu Creek and Timber Creek Trails
  • All trails above the Grand Ditch (except Thunder Pass Trail)
  • Willow Creek drainage to Long Draw Reservoir (unconstructed)
  • Timber Lake Trail - Due to a landslide in 2011

• Fern Lake Area
  • Spruce Lake Trail
  • Odessa Lake Trail - From Fern Lake Trail Junction with Odessa Lake Trail

• Longs Peak
  • Lily Lake and Lily Ridge
  • Jim's Grove - From Battle Mountain Junction to Granite Pass
  • Chasm Lake - Beyond hitch rail on Mills Moraine
  • Boulder Field - Beyond hitch rail
  • North Longs Peak Trail - From Boulder Brook Junction to Glacier Gorge Trail
  • Storm Pass Junction to Estes Cone Summit

• Mummy Range
  • Lawn Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail at east end of lake
  • Ypsilon Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail at south end of lake
  • Mummy Pass Trail - Beyond Mummy Pass Creek Junction
  • Mirror Lake Trail - Beyond Koenig hitch rail

• North Fork
  • Lost Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail
  • Bridal Veil Fall - Beyond hitch rail

• Sprague Lake Area
  • Boulder Brook Primitive Trail
  • Sprague Lake Nature Trail

• Ute Trail
  • Upper Beaver Meadows to Milner Pass - open to llama use from Upper Beaver Meadows to Ute Meadows Campsite

• Wild Basin
  • Bluebird Lake - Beyond hitch rail at east end of lake
  • Finch-Pear Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail at east end of Pear Lake
  • Lion Lakes - Beyond the junction with Thunder Lake Trail
  • Lookout Mountain - From Meeker Park, Sandbeach Lake, Lookout Mountain Trail junction
  • Ouzel Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail near the northeast end of the lake
  • Sandbeach Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail at north end of lake
  • North St. Vrain Fire Trail - Open to llama use
  • Thunder Lake Trail - Beyond hitch rail in woods at the east end of lake

 

Additional Thing to Know When Visiting RMNP with Horses and Pack Animals

Pack Animal Drawn Equipment

Use of pack animal drawn equipment is not permitted inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Horses and Pack Animals in Auto Campgrounds and Picnic Areas

Horses and other pack animals are not permitted in auto campgrounds or picnic areas inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Horses and Pack Animals Speed Restrictions

The riding of horses and other pack animals at a speed greater than a trot is not permitted.

Horses and Pack Animal Group Size

The maximum number of pack animals permitted in one group or "string" is twenty (20) for day use.

Forage

Possessing, storing, or transporting either certified or non-certified weed free forage beyond any park trailhead is prohibited within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Forage Exclusions:

• Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act.
• Any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, or member of an organized search and rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
• Persons possessing or using pelletized feed, hay cubes, or grain products.

 

Safety

Approximately 95% of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated Wilderness. It is a rare opportunity to experience the wonders and challenges of being in the wilderness. Wilderness does, however, have numerous hazards. Hazards on the trail may include, but are not limited to:

• Bridges and other water crossings
• Low branches
• Other people and stock on the trail
• Packs and other gear used by hikers and backpackers
• Wildlife

Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. Dismount immediately if lightning and thunderstorms seem imminent. Try to stay below treeline and avoid high rocky areas.

Carry first aid supplies for yourself and the stock.

Carry, boil or filter water obtained from park waters before drinking. All park waters may contain Giardia, an organism that can cause serious flu-like symptoms in humans.

 

Resource Protection & Ethics

• Where no hitchracks exist, tie a "highline," (a rope between two trees) away from the trail and hitch the stock to it. The rope should be padded. This avoids damage to trees and their root systems.
• Tie up stock at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) away from lakes and streams.
• Maintain a distance of 1/4 mile (or 20 minutes) between pack groups.
• Use only well-broken, properly shod, gentle stock in good physical condition.
• When approaching others, make your presence known, alerting them to clear the trail.

 

Horses at the hitchrack

NPS/J. Marino

Where Can Horse Trailers Park Near Trailheads in RMNP

The following trailheads have room for horse trailers; some have hitchracks and ramps

East Side of RMNP:

• Dunraven Trailhead - Located near Glen Haven
• Wild Basin Road - Designated Trailer Parking located on Wild Basin Road
• Lumpy Ridge Trailhead - Located along Devils Gulch Road
• Park & Ride - Located half way up Bear Lake Road
• Lawn Lake Trailhead - Located on Endovalley Road
• McGraw Ranch/Cow Creek Trailhead Parking Lot - Located off of Devils Gulch Road

West Side of RMNP:

• Colorado River Trailhead - Located from U.S. Hwy 34/Trail Ridge Road.
  • Note: The Colorado River Trail, which is the trail to Lulu City, is open to hikers. Several bridges in the area are in poor condition. Horses are not recommended to use the Colorado River Trail as access to the Little Yellowstone trail area.
• East Inlet Trailhead - Located east of the town of Grand Lake on West Portal Road
• Green Mountain Trailhead - Located along U.S. Hwy 34/Trail Ridge Road