Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely breathtaking, but it’s important to plan your trip with the weather in mind. You may be wondering if Rocky Mountain is open year-round, what the weather will be like, or what will be open while you’re there.
Rocky Mountain is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. However, when you’re in the mountains, the weather plays a huge role! Road, trail, and facility closures are common at this elevation, especially during the fall, winter, and spring.
If the roads are open, you can enter and exit the park as you please, even if the entrance stations aren’t open and collecting fees.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I’ve spent a ton of time in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I am so excited to help you plan a trip of your own!
I can’t wait to share what you need to know about visiting Rocky Mountain National Park year-round, including hours, closures, and weather you can expect while you vacation in this spectacular national park. Let’s get started!
Is Rocky Mountain National Park Open Year-Round?
Rocky Mountain is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. This means that if you want to hike a trail at sunrise, you will be able to get in, and if you want to stargaze at 1 a.m., you’ll be able to get out. Open roads are not gated.
However, this does not mean that all of the activities and points of interest will be open to you at all times.
For example:
- Several of the park’s visitor centers are closed during the winter season and run on reduced hours during other seasons.
- The entrance stations are not always staffed.
- Most campgrounds are not open year-round.
- Major roads close to vehicles during the winter, and temporary road closures are common due to snow or ice.
- Various areas of the park may also be closed due to wildlife preservation efforts.
Closures of this nature are common year-round, so let’s discuss what may be closed even if the park itself is open.
Operating Hours for Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain Visitor Center Hours
You’ll find seven visitor centers in Rocky Mountain National Park. These visitor centers vary in hours and amenities and are located throughout the park. If you’re in one of Rocky Mountain’s more popular areas, chances are you will find a park ranger nearby to answer any questions you may have.
- Alpine Visitor Center: Located along the Trail Ridge Road, this is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System! Depending on the weather, it is open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center: This visitor center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 36. It is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Inside this visitor center, you will find the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store.
- Fall River Visitor Center: This visitor center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 34, near the Aspenglen Campground. It is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Holzwarth Historic Site: You’ll find wonderful park volunteers here that will lead you on a tour of this 1920s dude ranch. This site is open year-round, 24 hours a day, but the buildings and tours are only open from about 10-4 during the summer months.
- Kawuneechee Visitor Center: This visitor center is located on the quiet side of the park just north of Grand Lake along Highway 34. It is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Moraine Park Discovery Center: This is a historic building located in Moraine Park on the east side of Rocky Mountain. It typically opens in late Spring and closes in mid-Fall.
- Sheep Lakes Information Station: You may not find a park ranger here (it’s not regularly staffed), but this station is always open for easy wildlife viewing, especially if you want to see bighorn sheep.
Most of the visitor centers listed above are open with extended hours during the summer months and reduced hours in the spring and fall. You can see the hours/opening and closing dates for each of these visitor centers here.
Rocky Mountain Entrance Station Hours
Rocky Mountain has four entrance stations – Beaver Meadows, Wild Basin, Fall River, and Grand Lake. All of these entrance stations are open year-round.
Entrance station hours vary and are not published. These stations will almost always be staffed early in the morning until late at night during the summer, with shorter hours during the spring, fall, and winter.
If the entrance station is staffed, a park ranger will collect your entrance fee and provide a map for exploring the park. If the entrance station is not staffed, you can drive on through.
A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at the staffed entrance stations and can also be purchased online.
Common Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain Lodging Closures
Rocky Mountain has five in-park campgrounds. To choose which campground will best meet your needs, read all about camping in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Moraine Park Campground is the only campground open year-round. The Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Timber Creek, and Longs Peak Campgrounds are open during the summer months (typically May-September).
Campground reservations need to be made six months in advance on recreation.gov.
Campgrounds are your only sleeping option within the park itself, but if you are looking for other overnight accommodations, you can find them in the nearby towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
Common Road Closures in Rocky Mountain
Most of the popular activities in Rocky Mountain are only accessible from about June through October. If you’re hoping to see all of the can’t-miss spots, be sure to plan your trip during those months.
The Trail Ridge Road is the main road through Rocky Mountain. It reaches 12,183 feet above sea level! This road is fully open from about Memorial Day to mid-October. If you visit outside of these months, the Trail Ridge Road is typically closed at the Many Parks Curve on the east side and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side.
The Old Fall River Road is a one-way dirt road that travels from the valley floor up to the Alpine Visitor Center. It has a short season and is only open from about July-September.
The other park roads typically stay open year-round, weather permitting. Driving conditions in the mountains can change rapidly due to weather, so it’s important to check the status of roads for seasonal closures. You can find road status updates here.
Common Trail Closures in Rocky Mountain
Most trails in the park open and close on the same schedule as the roads, so if the road is open, the trail should be open as well. However, even if the road is open, the trails may still be covered in snow!
During the winter months, route-finding skills and snowshoes or yaktrax are necessary if traveling beyond the trailhead.
Snowy or muddy trails are common in early summer as the snow thaws out. If you plan on hiking into the mountains (like the popular Emerald Lake, Sky Pond, or Ouzel Falls trails), expect to encounter snow well into the summer (mid-late July).
Temporary trail closures may happen due to construction projects or unsafe conditions, so check the current conditions in Rocky Mountain before you go.
Efforts to protect and preserve wildlife within the park can cause temporary trail closures throughout the year. Common closures include:
- Elk Rut Closures: September 1- October 31
- Raptor Closures: February 15 – July 31
- Bald Eagle Closures: mid-November – mid-March
- Bighorn Sheep Closures: April 14 – August 31
More information about these wildlife closures can be found here.
What is the Weather Like in Rocky Mountain?
Even though Rocky Mountain is open year-round, you’ll find some pretty drastic temperature swings in this park! There are so many amazing things to see and do in Rocky Mountain at any time, but because the mountains here are as high as 14,000 feet above sea level, the weather varies drastically between seasons.
Take a look at the average highs and lows (in degrees Fahrenheit) and snow levels (in inches) in Estes Park, which is the main city just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg High (F) | 39 | 41 | 45 | 53 | 62 | 73 | 78 | 77 | 70 | 60 | 46 | 40 |
| Avg Low (F) | 16 | 17 | 21 | 27 | 34 | 41 | 46 | 45 | 38 | 30 | 23 | 18 |
| Avg Snow (“) | 4.6 | 6.3 | 7.8 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 3.8 | 5.7 |
| Avg Rain (“) | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
Winter Weather in Rocky Mountain
You might see snowstorms in the Rocky Mountains as early as September all the way into May. Once the first big snowstorm hits the area, you can expect most of the closures listed above to hit as well.
Lower elevations in the park are usually free of deep snow, but arctic conditions are common at higher elevations. Sudden blizzards, high winds, and deep snowpack are common during the winter. You will definitely want to have your warmest gear ready if you are planning an overnight trip as temperatures drop well below freezing.
Popular activities during the winter include skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and wildlife watching.
Spring Weather in Rocky Mountain
Spring weather in Rocky Mountain might not be exactly what you’re used to at home — it’s common to experience snowstorms in May. Trails continue to be snow-covered this time of year, but wildflowers can be seen blooming in areas of lower elevation.
The weather is extremely unpredictable in the spring! Low temperatures can still drop down into the 20s, but the high temperatures can reach the 60s. You’ll want to bring a variety of clothing so that you’re ready for anything.
The Trail Ridge Road opens for the season in late May, and biking is a popular springtime activity in the Rockies.
Summer Weather in Rocky Mountain
Summer is the most popular season for visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park because everything is typically open. It’s remarkably crowded and busy at this time, but you’ll get the warmest weather for exploring!
The weather can still be a little unpredictable during the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms and wind are common in the mountains during this time of year. You’ll want to be prepared for temperature drops of 10-20 degrees, especially in the higher elevations of the park.
Biking, rock climbing, and hiking are popular summer activities in Rocky Mountain. Read through the best things to do to find the perfect activities for your group!
Traffic and crowding in Rocky Mountain can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to be turned away from full parking lots in this park?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Rocky Mountain Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Autumn Weather in Rocky Mountain
Autumn in the Rockies can come and go in the blink of an eye, but it is a fabulous time to visit! During this time of year, you will often experience crisp, clear days that are perfect for exploring these mountains. However, an early snowstorm isn’t out of the question, so be prepared with some nice warm clothes.
Aspen leaves begin to change color to a beautiful and vibrant gold in mid-September. Fall also marks the beginning of the elk mating season, so you’ll have a great chance to see the park’s majestic bull elk and hear them bugle.
The autumn months in Rocky Mountain are wonderful for hiking and wildlife viewing.
So now you may be asking yourself, when is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain?
Now that you know you can visit Rocky Mountain year-round, click here to see my specific recommendations for the best times to visit Rocky Mountain.
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Rocky Mountain National Park might be the 4th busiest US national park, but the new “timed entry” system has made things much better. We visited on Labor Day weekend and, although there were tons of visitors, the reservations spread out visitation throughout the day. Super popular places like Bear Lake (and its parking lot, lol) are still crowded, but there were numerous park rangers directing drivers to the first available parking spot and standing around to help people. Also, there are enough roads and beautiful spots to visit that the park never feels as crowded as places like Zion Canyon or Yosemite Valley.
It has gotten a lot better over the years. Some park entrance reservations work really well, like Rocky and Arches. But others, like Glacier, are still a mess!