NPS Spring Hiking Updates - May 9, 2025It's spring in Rocky Mountain National Park, which means conditions are changing.
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| Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 33 inches snow |
Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 26 inches snow |
Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 0 inch snow |
| Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 3 inch snow |
Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 54 inches snow |
Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 31 inches snow |
| Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 51 inches snow |
Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 0 inches snow |
Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 38 inches snow |
Submit Your Own Trip Report
Have you been hiking recently on any trail inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Would you like to share with others what the trail was like? To submit a trail conditions report:
- 💻 Fill out and submit an RMNP Trail Conditions Report online
- ☎️ Call Rocky Mountain National Park staff at 970-586-1206 and share a report over the phone.
- 🏫 Stop by a Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers and fill out a report in person.
Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Conditions Report - Updated May 6, 2025
| Destination | Date | Description of Conditions Found | Reported By |
| Bear Lake Trailhead and Corridor | 5/9/2025 | All trails that begin from the Bear Lake Trailhead are covered with snow. Bear Lake has a base of about 33 inches of snow. Traction devices are advised, the trail is icy. On the south side of the lake, be careful of postholeing and walking too close to the shore of the lake. Use one of the paths to move uphill away from the edge of the lake. Use caution near the inlet and outlet of Bear Lake, there is open water. | Park Ranger |
| Glacier Gorge to Alberta Falls | 5/9/2025 | At Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail has melted. Expect the trail to be wet and muddy. There is snow on the trail closer to Alberta Falls. The trail is icy and slippery, traction devices are recommended. | Park Visitor |
| Cub Lake Trail | 5/9/2025 | From Cub Lake Trailhead, the trail to Cub Lake is mostly free of snow. Some sections are wet and muddy. Traction devices are not needed. | Park Visitor |
| West Side Trails | 5/6/2025 | At lower elevations, trails are wet and muddy. Expect snow at higher elevations. On trails with snow and ice, traction devices are advised. | Park Ranger |
| Alluvial Fan Trail | 5/6/2025 | The Alluvial Fan Trail, from both west and east parking areas has melted out. With today's storm, expect some snow on the trail. The trail is wet and muddy and it could be slippery. | Park Ranger |
| From Bear Lake Trailhead to Alberta Falls | 5/2/2025 | There are many sections of the trail with no snow, for the icy and snow-packed sections, traction devices are advised. From Glacier Gorge Junction to Alberta Falls still has plenty of snow. Alberta Falls is now free from snow and ice, so the entire falls is visible. | NPS Volunteer |
| Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha | 5/2/2025 | This section of trail is not advised this time of year. Strong winter navigation skills are needed for this trail, as it can be easy to go the wrong direction. The trail is very steep. It is not advised to hike the traverse to Haiyaha. This section of trail is very slippery, very narrow and steep with a long drop on one side. | NPS Volunteer |
Any time of year: Plan ahead and be prepared for varying weather and conditions. Trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park can experience extreme weather and conditions may change quickly. In RMNP, all four seasons can happen in one day!
Any Time of Year - Be prepared: Choose your hiking destination wisely. Know your personal limits and choose a trail that meets your goals within your limits. Be willing to turn back for any reason. Always tell someone where you are going, where you will be parked, what your intended route is, when you plan to be back home, and then let them know when you return.
Lakes: Always proceed with caution around icy lakes, especially around inlets, outlets, and rocks, where the ice can be thin.
Route-finding is important. RMNP trails are not marked in winter and following other tracks is not advised, as you don’t know where they lead, and wind and new snow obliterate tracks. When trails are covered in snow, signs may not be visible. Carry a map and compass or GPS and know how to use them.
Be Prepared for Conditions with Essentials. It is important to bring and use the right gear, especially suitable gear for the season.Plan that trails can be snowy much of the year. Depending on conditions and elevation, some trails can be icy and snowy September through midsummer. Do you have the right gear and equipment, and know how to use it?
- Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended, as trails may be icy. Or depending on conditions after snowstorms or at higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised. Hiking poles are helpful for stability.
- Food and water are essential no matter how long your hike.
- Layers of wicking clothing and extra socks.
- Waterproof outer layers and extra layers for warmth; in summer, raingear.
- A hat and gloves, sunglasses or goggles, and sunscreen any time of year. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days. Protect your eyes from the sun and blowing snow
- Wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole for hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction (ex. sneakers), sandals, flip flops, plastic clogs) can lead to cold toes, wet feet, slips, trips and falls.
Pets: Pets are prohibited on all trails, tundra, and meadows areas in Rocky Mountain National Park. For details, see RMNP's Pets Webpage.