The Ultimate Guide to Winter in Rocky Mountain

I’ve started to lose count of how many times I’ve been to Rocky Mountain National Park. This park is truly spectacular and I can’t seem to stay away. It’s also very quickly become one of my favorite parks to visit in the winter time. Winter in Rocky Mountain is magical and the perfect winter playground.

Why You Should Visit in the Winter

Rocky Mountain National Park has nearly 5 million visitors a year and the majority of those are during the warmer summer months (May – September). During the winter, the park still has plenty of activities but you’ll have to content with way fewer crowds. It’s so much easier in the winter time to escape the hustle and bustle and really enjoy the quietness of nature.

I truly love this national park in winter and it’s one of the most beautiful spots in all of the U.S. The views of the Rocky Mountain peaks blanketed with snow is so beautiful. The scenery here is hard to beat. This really is the #1 reason to visit in the wintertime (or quite frankly, anytime of year).

Although Rocky Mountain can get many feet of snow per year, it also gets a lot of sunshine, even in the wintertime. This means that there are plenty of sunny days to play in the snow. I don’t know about you, but I think playing in the snow is much more fun in the sun.

What is Open During Winter in Rocky Mountain?

The Trail Ridge Road, which connects the eastern part of the park (near Estes Park) and the western part (near Grand Lake) is closed roughly from Labor Day to Memorial Day (Early Sept – Late May). So travel from one side of the park to the other is very difficult and time consuming this time of year.

However, there is still plenty to do. If you stick to one side of the park, you won’t run out of things to do.

On the east side, the Beavers Meadow, Fall River, and Wild Basin entrances are usually open all year round.

My favorite area in Rocky Mountain National Park is the Bear Lake Trailhead area located in the east side of the park. It’s from here that a lot of the winter-friendly trails start & end. The Bear Lake area is a perfect winter playground with lots of space to try your hand at snowshoeing or backcountry skiing, or just take a snowy hike.

On the west side, the Grand Lake Entrance is usually open weather permitting and is a hub for snowshoeing and backcountry skiing trails.

Winter Weather in Rocky Mountain

According to the NPS website, “Lower elevations on the east slope of Rocky Mountain National Park are usually free of deep snow. At higher elevations, arctic conditions prevail. Sudden blizzards, high winds, and deep snowpack are common. The west side of the park experiences more snow, less wind, and clear cold days during these months.”

The months of January, February, and March are the best suited for snowshoeing and skiing in the park.

Below are monthly averages for Estes Park at an elevation of 7,221′.

	High Temperature (F)	Low Temperature (F)	Precipitation (in.)	Snow (in.)
December	40	18	0.47	5.7
January	39	16	0.37	4.6
February	41	17	0.45	6.3
March	45	21	0.86	7.8

Please also note that these numbers are for Estes Park which is the town outside the park on the east side. Temperatures and rain/snow fall amounts will vary at the higher elevations and on the west side of the park near Grand Lake.

What to Pack & What to Wear

Hiking Gear

Traction Devices

It’s a very good idea to bring some sort of traction device if you decide to hike. You may encounter lots of snowpack or ice patches that are slick and difficult to cross without proper traction gear.

The best two options are either these crampons when trails are most packed down and icy or these snowshoes when there’s a lot more loose snow on the trail.

Also, a good idea to bring along these trekking poles to give you more control & balance in the snow.

Other Gear

• Head Lamp – Days are a lot shorter in the winter time and with less day light there’s an increased chance that you may not be back before dark. It’s a good idea to take a light source other than your phone.
• Hand Warmers – These hand warmers are a great way to keep your fingers nice and toasty on the snowy trails.

Warm Clothing & Lots of Layers

• Columbia Jacket – You’ll definitely need a winter jacket. I recently switched to a Columbia jacket and I’m loving it so far – it’s so warm and light.
• Snow Pants – If temperatures are fairly mild, you probably won’t need these. But these are definitely a must when it gets below 20 degrees or so (in my opinion).
• Fleece Lined Leggings – Most of the time I skip the ski pants and just wear fleece lined leggings instead.
• Smartwool Socks – Wool socks are an ESSENTIAL for keeping your feet warm & dry on the trail. Smartwool is a terrific brand and I’ve been very pleased with their product.
• Thermal Base Layer – Warmth starts with your base layer. Don’t skip it.
• Gloves – My mom bought Randy and I each a pair of these gloves for Christmas and they are perfect for playing in the snow. They do a great job keeping our fingers warm & dry.
• Hat/Beanie – Don’t forget to pack something to keep your head & ears warm.

Gear Rentals in Estes Park

We rented snowshoes from Estes Park Mountain Shop. The snowshoes were super affordable at only $5/day (not including boots or poles, as we already had those). Estes Park Mountain Shop also rents just about any gear you may need for winter (or summer) adventures in Rocky Mountain. Sleds, backcountry skis, and camping gear are just some of the things that they rent out. They’re also your one-stop shop for winter attire or a “Rocky Mountain” souvenir t-shirt.

There are other rental companies in and around Estes Park but we had a very good experience with Estes Park Mountain Shop.

Where to Stay

Staying in Estes Park is going to be your best bet for proximity to the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.

There are accommodations to fit just about any price range in Estes Park – and those who travel in the winter will benefit from lower off-season prices.

The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel is easily the most known hotel in all of Colorado. You may have heard of The Stanley, as it was the filming location for the movie The Shining. It attracts many guests to Estes Park for that reason alone. But if you’re looking for a place of luxury to stay after playing in the snow all day, you’ll be very comfortable in this historic hotel.

Murphy’s River Lodge

On the other side of the spectrum (but still comfortable) is Murphy’s River Lodge. I stayed one night last year and Murphy’s provided all the necessities (comfy bed, clean room, continental breakfast) and even had an indoor hot tub to relax in after a day of snowshoeing. This motel lodge is in a convenient spot for accessing both national park entrances.

Airbnb

There are a good variety of Airbnb options located in and around Estes Park. If you’re looking for a more “homey” feel with a kitchen and living spaces, Airbnb is always a good bet.

If you’re hoping to explore the west portion of the park, the town of Grand Lake is closet to the entrance with the town of Granby not too far away.

Best Trails for Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain

There are enough trails in Rocky Mountain to keep you occupied for WEEKS. I’ve divided some of my favorite trails up by that area in which they’re in. All of these areas are wonderful and worth checking out.

READ NEXT: Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear Lake Area

The Bear Lake Trailhead is hands-down, in my opinion, the best area of the park for hiking trails and it’s where I’ve spent most of my time in Rocky Mountain National Park. The road to the Bear Lake Trailhead is frequently maintained during the winter months so it’s easily accessible. However, the parking lot does tend to fill up fast on good weather days, so arrive early to ensure a spot. Here are a few of my favorite trails from Bear Lake.

• Bear Lake Nature Trail – This trail is an easy hike around Bear Lake with very minimal elevation change. It’s only 0.7 miles round trip, has amazing views, and is perfect for every member of the family.
• Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake – This 3 lake feature is definitely the best “bang for your buck hike” in Rocky Mountain. The hike is only 3.3 mile on a moderate trail and is a great snowshoeing option.
• Bierstadt Lake – Another beautiful lake option, Bierstadt Lake is a 4.4 mile round trip from Bear Lake and is slightly less trafficked than the other lake trails in the area. Making it a great option to get away from the crowds.

Glacier Gorge Area

Located just below the Bear Lake Trailhead, Glacier Gorge also features a few incredible trails that are perfect for winter exploring.

• Alberta Falls – This short trail is only 1.6 miles round trip to a frozen waterfall. You can also enjoy views of the surrounding mountains from here.
• Mills Lake – Continue on past Alberta Falls to one of my favorite alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain, Mills Lake. The round trip for this moderate trail is almost 5 miles. It’s one of the longer trails on this list but 100% worth it.
• Loch Lake – I haven’t hiked this trail yet but it’s #1 on my list for my next visit to Rocky Mountain. It’s a 5.4 mile trail and is rated as moderate.

Hidden Valley Snow Play Area

There are not many marked trails in the Hidden Valley Area but it’s the PERFECT place to put on some snowshoes and go off-trail and explore. The Hidden Valley Snow Play Area used to be an operating downhill ski area with lifts back in the 60s. But due to changes in the weather and decreased snow fall, the ski resort wasn’t able to remain open. A lot of the old ski runs make the perfect place to snowshoe.

Wild Basin Area

I haven’t been to this part of the park yet, but it was recommended to us by the employees at Estes Park Mountain Shop. We weren’t able to make it down there due to time constraints but can’t wait to explore here next time.

• Calypso Cascades – Recommended to us by the super-helpful employees at the rental shop, Calypso Cascades is a 5.2 mile hike round trip. You can end at the frozen water fall or extend your trip longer to a couple of the frozen lakes in the area.

Near Estes Park

Just outside of Estes Park, but still in park boundaries are a couple of hikes. Gem Lake is one of them. This hike doesn’t require you to go through the Rocky Mountain Entrance Station but does require that you have prepaid an entrance fee. Or be an annual pass holder. This trail is the closet to town and so easy to access.

• Gem Lake – A 3.1 mile round trip hike to a alpine lake. If I’m being honest, the views of the lake itself weren’t that impressive but the views of the surrounding mountains were UNREAL. This hike can be very muddy and so slushy on a warm day. So check with the Ranger Station ahead of time for trail conditions.

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is closed most years from Labor Day to Memorial Day due to heavy amounts of snow on the road. The road is typically closed a couple of miles past Hidden Valley. At the gate, there are a couple of parking lots. This is another great spot to throw on your snowshoes and continue on Trail Ridge Road past the closure. We found that the parking lots here were packed and flooded with people but very few people had opted to continue on past the gate on foot. We definitely enjoyed those few minutes of having the space to ourselves.

Other Things To Do in Winter in Rocky Mountain

Go Sled at the Hidden Valley Snow Play Area

Like I mentioned earlier, the Hidden Valley Area used to be an operating Ski Resort and left behind several great ski runs. On of the hills in this area is PERFECT for sledding. So if you’ve got kids in tow or are trying to embrace you’re inner kid, don’t forget to bring a sled or two. Sleds can be rented in Estes Park if you don’t have one of your own.

Backcountry Ski

There are so many trail options for backcountry skiers. The Hidden Valley area is perfect for backcountry skiing and would be a good option if you’re a beginner. I’ve also seen a lot of skiers on the trails in the Bear Lake area. Gear rentals are available at multiple shops in Estes Park.

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Go for a Scenic Drive

Every road in Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely stunning. In the winter, the main Trail Ridge Road that connects the East and West sides of the park is closed. But during the winter I just enjoy driving from the Fall River Entrance to the Beaver Meadow Entrance. The drive is not too long but the views of the snowcapped peaks that are visible from the car are to die for.

There are a few pull-offs along the side of the road. Make sure you take advantage of these to take a few pictures or just bask in the beauty of the Rockies.

Look Out for Wildlife

Lots of wildlife are out and about and active during the winter months in Rocky Mountain. Especially Elk. Just about every time that I visit, I see a heard of Elk near town in Estes Park. This last time, we had to stop the car to allow a heard of about a dozen Elk cross the street right in the middle of town. Keep your eyes open and you may see wildlife, too.

Just make sure that you stay back. Remember that these are wild animals. And for your safety and theirs, make sure you keep a safe distance away.

Explore the Town of Estes Park

Estes Park is one of the most charming mountain towns that I’ve ever visited. There are so many cute gift shops and restaurants to try.

If you’re looking to take a break from playing in the snow, consider taking a stroll down Elkhorn Avenue in the center of Estes Park. Here you’ll find plenty of gift shops, ice cream shops, and local eats. Make sure you stop at the Old Fashioned Candy Store or at Munchin House for a hot chocolate to warm up.

More Colorado Adventures

Looking for more winter activities in Northern Colorado? Check out these blog posts for more adventures:

• 6 Out-of-this-World Alpine Lake Trails near Denver
• Hidden Gems Near Colorado Springs
• Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

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