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Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy are pleased to announce that the 2024 Artists-in-Residence have been selected. Six artists were selected to serve in a two-week residency that will take place between June and September. Rocky’s first Artist-In-Residence of 2024 is Claudia Borfiga, a visual artist originally from the UK who currently lives in Denver, Colorado. Borfiga works with a variety of visual mediums including paper, textiles and print. During her residency, Borfiga will be focusing on collecting imagery through photographs and drawings that she will later turn into prints. During their residency, Rocky’s Artists-In-Residence will host at least two programs open to visitors of all ages. On Thursday, June 13 and Thursday, June 20, Borfiga will be hosting a drop in “Print-a-Card” program at Fall River Visitor Center. Join her anytime between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and learn how to hand pull a screen print. Participants will learn about the art of screen printing and will be able to take a print home with them. All supplies are provided and participants do not need any previous knowledge or skills to attend. Following Borfiga, Rocky Mountain National Park’s other 2024 Artists-In-Residence are Susan Mockler, a poet.; Garrison Gerard, a composer of electroacoustic and concert music; Kait Evensen, an artist focusing on embroidery and technical illustration; Joe Norman, a sculptor; and Jeremy Shellhorn, a designer/illustrator. Since the late 1800s, national parks and art have had a special connection. Artists like George Catlin, Thomas Cole, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and more played a key role in helping to draw attention to the beauty and wonders found in many of our national parks. Recognizing the important role that art has played in the history of our national parks, in 1984, Rocky Mountain National Park was among the first national parks to offer an Artist-In-Residence Program. This impactful program is generously supported by Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Since 1984, Rocky Mountain National Park has hosted over 200 artists, including authors, painters, poets, composers, sculptors, quilters, photographers, musicians, and more. For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or contact the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.  
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Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season. Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy conditions. At this time, nightly closures will not be implemented. However, because weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line when/if the road status changes. Alpine Visitor Center, Trail Ridge Store and the large adjacent parking area are closed to all uses. Visitors must adhere to the barricades. Visitors entering the closure area will be cited. Timed Entry Permit Reservations In Place Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry permit reservation system in place during certain times of day. There are two types of reservations available. One option is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor and rest of the park. This reservation period is from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another timed-entry option is for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor, and includes Trail Ridge Road. This reservation period is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. To learn more visit http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 26. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 18. National Park Service plow operators began clearing the snow in the middle of April. Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the Alpine Visitor Center. The visitor center is the highest in the National Park Service, sitting at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms often impact plowing activities. This year, May storms with significant winds at higher elevations hampered snow plowing operations. Plow operators have encountered additional snow accumulation, significant wind resulting in deep snow drifts, freezing cold temperatures and ice. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. For a recorded status line on Trail Ridge Road please call (970) 586-1222.  National Park Service Finalizes Day Use Visitor Access Plan at Rocky Mountain National Park5/30/2024 The National Park Service has finalized a Day Use Visitor Access Plan for Rocky Mountain National Park to manage day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations.
The plan establishes two timed entry reservation systems from late-May through mid-October, one for the Bear Lake Road Corridor and one for the rest of the park. This is similar to what the park has piloted the last three summers and is the current operational plan for this summer. The reservation systems have been successful at spreading visitor use out throughout the day and throughout the park. The ability to be flexible and adapt the timed entry reservation systems to changing use patterns is a key element of the Day Use Visitor Access Plan. Park staff will continue to learn from this year’s pilot and adapt accordingly when considering future purchase lead times and reservation windows from year to year. Approval of the Day Use Visitor Access Plan is the culmination of extensive planning, public engagement, and managed access pilots that began in 2016. The Day Use Visitor Access Plan, Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and other reference documents are available on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROMO_DUVAS To learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park and to plan for your next trip, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo, download the NPS App, or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. On Thursday, May 16, the body of Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado was recovered on Mills Glacier, near the base of Lamb’s Slide. Initial investigations indicate he took a significant fall. Rocky Mountain National Park rangers completed an on-scene investigation and recovery operations took place by helicopter. His body was flown to a landing zone in Rocky Mountain National Park and transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. Macaj was reported overdue late Sunday night after attempting to summit Longs Peak on Sunday, May 12. Macaj started from the Longs Peak Trailhead early Sunday, to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route. Macaj was last heard from at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday, May 12, when he texted a friend indicating that he was on the summit of Longs Peak. Significant storms moved through high elevations in the park Sunday afternoon. Search efforts began on Monday and have included air reconnaissance, ground teams and dog teams searching the Longs Peak Trail and along the Keyhole Route, glassing areas above Black Lake, areas above Sandbeach Lake, the Hunter’s Creek Drainage to the base of Keplinger’s Coulier, and areas near Chasm Lake to the Loft. Several agencies and organizations have been assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members with search and recovery efforts. Flight for Life Air Ambulance, the State of Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), and Colorado Army National Guard assisted with air reconnaissance operations. Also assisting were the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States, Larimer County SAR Dog Team, assisted by Boulder County Sheriff Dog Team, as well as Park County SAR Dog Team and El Paso County SAR Dog Team. The Boulder County Coroner’s office will release the cause of death.  Monday, May 13, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was reported overdue late last night after attempting to summit Longs Peak yesterday. Early this morning rangers confirmed his vehicle was still parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead. Macaj was last heard from at approximately 1 p.m., Sunday, May 12, when he texted a friend indicating that he was on the summit of Longs Peak. Significant storms moved through high elevations in the park Sunday afternoon. Macaj started from the Longs Peak Trailhead early Sunday, to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route. He is likely wearing a dark colored top, tan or brown pants, khaki-colored boots, and a black backpack. He may also be wearing a beanie and dark colored gloves. Macaj is described as 5’9,” 155 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Search efforts Monday have included air reconnaissance, a heat sensing fixed-wing flight and ground teams on the Longs Peak Trail to the Ledges on the Keyhole Route. Search efforts have also taken place on the Boulder Brook Trail. Air reconnaissance has focused on the Keyhole Route including The Ledges, The Trough, The Narrows, The Homestretch and the saddle between Longs Peak and Mount Meeker. Park rangers are also continuing investigations. Assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members with air reconnaissance today include Flight for Life Air Ambulance and aircraft from the State of Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) including a fixed wing aircraft outfitted with infrared and color sensors and a helitak crew for helicopter air reconnaissance. If you have information that could help investigators, if you may have seen Lucas Macaj, or if you were in the areas listed above on May 12, please contact us. You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know. CALL or TEXT the National Park Service Investigative Services Bureau Tip Line 888-653-0009, ONLINE formwww.nps.gov/ISB or EMAIL [email protected]. -NPS- NPS Provided Photos
Rocky Mountain National Park is proposing a change in its current camping fees at four campgrounds beginning next year, in 2025.
The park is proposing a 10-dollar increase to overnight fees at four reservation campgrounds including Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, Aspenglen and Timber Creek Campgrounds. This proposed increase in summer fees would be from $35 to $45 per night. There is also a proposed additional increase of $10 for the new electrical sites that are being constructed at the Moraine Park Campground. The proposed fee for these forty-nine electrical sites is $55 per night. There are no fee changes to group sites, the Longs Peak Campground which is a first come, first-served summer campground with no water available, or winter rates. These proposed campground fee increases are based on comparable fees for similar services in nearby campgrounds. The proposed fee increases are necessary for Rocky Mountain National Park to improve and maintain high-quality visitor services.While basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress, the recreation use fees collected by the park are used to support new projects and the ongoing maintenance of park facilities that directly enhance the visitor experience. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) is the legislation that allows the park to collect entrance and amenity fees. This law allows parks like Rocky Mountain National Park to retain 80 percent of the fees collected in park for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. The remaining 20 percent of all collected fees is distributed for use throughout the National Park System. Some of the projects funded through the collection of entrance station and campground fees at Rocky Mountain National Park include:
Public engagement is an important part of the park’s planning process. Rocky Mountain National Park is accepting public comments on the proposed fee increases. Please submit all comments to: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/RMNP_FrontcountryCampground_Fees_2024 Comments may also be submitted via mail to: Rocky Mountain National Park Office of the Superintendent 1000 US Hwy 36 Estes Park, CO 80517 Please be advised, before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Although you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so. All public comments on the proposed fee increases will be accepted through May 23, 2024. For additional information on Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. Celebrate National Park Week, National Volunteer Week, Earth Day, and National Junior Ranger Day at Rocky Mountain National Park. What is National Park Week? This is a week-long celebration of our national parks that begins on Saturday, April 20 and continues through Sunday, April 28, 2024.
On Saturday, April 20: National Park Week kicks off with a fee free day. All park entrance fees will be waived on this date. Camping, overnight wilderness backpacking, and all other administrative fees remain in effect. Additional activities include: On the east side of the park, join NPS and Rocky Mountain Conservancy staff at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore informational booths and fun interactive activities for all ages.
Join us on the east side of RMNP at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center at 2 p.m. for the presentation “Dr. Steller’s Jay: A Living History Presentation Done in the Person of G.W. Steller,” with Pete Devine, former Yosemite Conservancy Education Director (retired). This special talk is the final presentation in Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s 2024 Winter Speaker Series. To learn more, visit https://rmconservancy.org/upcoming-events/ Unable to visit in person? Join Rocky’s online celebration! Follow us @RockyNPS on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We will be sharing fun and interesting stories all week long! To learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park and to plan for your next trip, visit our website at www.nps.gov/romo, download the NPS App, or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. -NPS- Voluntary automated gate transponders are available for purchase at Rocky Mountain National Park for annual and lifetime passholders, including RMNP, America the Beautiful, Senior, Military, Veterans, Access and Fourth grade passes. There is currently a transponder lane at Beaver Meadows Entrance and a new transponder lane is being constructed at Fall River Entrance. The lane at the Grand Lake Entrance is being reconstructed after it was destroyed in the East Troublesome Fire. The transponder lanes will be closed in 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the timed entry reservation system is in effect (May 24 to October 15).
A transponder is a small, credit card-sized device that must be attached to a vehicle’s window. The amenity fee for those interested in this voluntary transponder is $15. One transponder may be purchased per valid annual or lifetime pass and the transponder is valid for up to one year. It can be renewed each year for $5 after the initial purchase. Transponders must be attached to a vehicle’s window and are non-removable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. When using a transponder in the park, visitors must have their passes with them as well. The transponders are available for purchase at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on Thursdays and Sundays beginning on February 22 through May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning on Sunday May 5, transponders will be available for purchase on Sundays only at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to noon. Transponder lanes assist passholders and park staff by reducing queuing and congestion at entrance stations particularly on busy winter weekends, as well as prior to 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m. during months when timed entry reservation permits are in place. In 2004, Rocky Mountain National Park constructed a fast pass lane at the Beaver Meadows Entrance and in 2011, an additional fast pass lane was installed at the Grand Lake Entrance. Rocky Mountain National Park was one of the only national parks with fast pass lanes for visitors. Visitors who purchased an annual park pass or lifetime pass were able to use their pass to operate the automated gate. However, in 2019, the National Park Service modified the format of annual and lifetime passes. The new national passes are not compatible with the park’s fast pass gate system technology and the fast pass gate has not been operational for the last few years. Based on this change, the park has transitioned to windshield transponders for interested annual and lifetime passholders to access the transponder lane, outside of any pilot timed entry permit reservation system times, which in 2024 is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24 to October 15. For additional information about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.  Each year, to protect breeding and nesting sites of raptors (also known as birds of prey), Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in the park. Raptors that are protected include multiple species of hawks, owls, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons.
To ensure that these birds can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed temporarily to public use during their breeding and nesting season. These areas are monitored by park wildlife managers. Raptor closures begin on February 15 and continue through July 31, if appropriate. These closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nesting activity. A closure is in place in the Loch Vale area which includes Cathedral Wall. The areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off trail travel. In the Lumpy Ridge area closures include Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Bookmark Pinnacle, The Left Book, Bookmark, Twin Owls, Rock One and the Needle. These closures include the named formations. Closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock formations. Check the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/romo/raptor-closures.htm for all details on specific raptor closure areas, including maps. 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 general location to [email protected]. 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 the park. For further information on Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.  Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) invites you to explore research, monitoring, and management during the Biennial Research Conference “Challenges and Collaborations for Changing Landscapes” on March 6-7 at the Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park. Scientific research is an integral part of science-informed decision making and adaptive management at RMNP. The park utilizes a collaborative research process in which park staff and research partners co-produce science to address management questions.
The Biennial Research Conference is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. It is free and open to all who are interested in attending. No pre-registration is required. Conference highlights include 27 oral presentations by research partners and park staff, a poster session highlighting 20 research and public engagement activities in the park, a Visitor Use Management Question and Answer Panel with park staff, and a Conversation Café in which members of the public can engage in structured, small-group discussions about moose and vital wetland ecosystems in the park. Oral presentations are organized into sessions covering related subjects. Sessions will focus on wildfire recovery, cultural resource stewardship, vegetation and forestry science, visitor use management, wildlife challenges, air and water quality monitoring, and wetland ecosystem challenges and stressors. Oral presentations in the wetland ecosystem session will also be available to attend virtually. Conference events begin at 8:00 am each day and conclude at 5:30 pm on March 6 and 5:00 pm on March 7. For a complete schedule of events, to access the wetland ecosystems session virtually, and other accessibility information, visit: go.nps.gov/RMNPConference2024 The conference will take place in the Ballroom of the Ridgeline Hotel, located at 101 S Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. |
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