Area Closures
View an Interactive Map of Area Closures
Approximately 30,000 acres or 10 percent of Rocky Mountain National Park were impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires of 2020.
West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
Park visitors should not stop or park along the roadside from the Grand Lake Entrance to the Onahu Trail, due to hazard trees along the road from the East Troublesome Fire. There is no access to trails, picnic areas or parking areas along this section of the road including the Harbison Picnic Area and the Green Mountain Trail.
- The North Inlet Trail has reopened.
- The Onahu Trail and the Continental Divide Connector Trail to the inholder road has reopened.
- The Green Mountain Trail remains closed.
- The Sun Valley Trail remains closed.
East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
In the Bear Lake Corridor area:
- The Fern Lake Trail has reopened, however the Spruce Lake Trail remains closed.
- The Mill Creek Basin area has reopened including the Hollowell Park Trail to Bierstadt Lake, as well as the Mount Wuh/Steep Mountain junction from the Cub Lake Trail.
- The Flattop Trail is open to the summit of Flattop Mountain but is closed past this point to the west of the Continental Divide.
Beaver Mountain area and trails remains closed.
Northwest Area of Rocky Mountain National Park
The Chapin Pass Trailhead is open to access Mount Chapin, Mount Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain. The Chapin Pass Trail is closed as it descends to Chapin Creek.
The northwest section of the park including the Poudre River Trail, Mirror Lake Trail, and Commanche Peak Trail remain closed.
Park visitors should be aware of additional hazards when recreating in burn areas including:
- Burned-out stump holes where the ground may be weak and unstable
- Unstable dead trees, especially in windy conditions
- Loose rocks, logs and rolling debris
- Flash flooding and significant debris flow possible in burn areas
- Dry, hot conditions with little forest canopy to provide shade
Park staff will continue to assess closed areas on both sides of the park for fire impacts, safety and downed trees, erosion and rock fall.
It is unknown when all park trails impacted by the fires of 2020 will reopen. Many will reopen this summer, a few will likely remain closed.
Park trails and wilderness staff assessed most of these areas after the fires in November and before the winter, however snowfall impacted many of those assessments making it difficult to determine the conditions safely. Park's crews will continue to assess any additional impacts from this winter and spring (wind throw, new trees down, rock fall, soil movement etc.) to determine when and which trails can reopen.
On October 21, 2020, the East Troublesome Fire ran approximately 18 miles before it moved into the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, and then spotted approximately 1.5 miles from the head of Tonahutu Creek on the west side of the Continental Divide to the head of Spruce Creek on the east side of the Continental Divide. Rapid evacuations took place in Grand Lake on October 21. Evacuations for the majority of the Estes Valley were implemented on October 22, as weather predictions forecast major winds on the night of October 23 through October 24 pushing the fire further to the east.
Firefighting actions and favorable weather on October 24 and 25, helped halt the major movement of the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires.
The East Troublesome Fire has been called 100% controlled and contained. The Cameron Peak Fire has been declared 100% contained.
Current Trail Conditions
It has been warm in the park and most trails are melting quickly. Snowshoes are no longer needed on most trails, although some higher, more remote trails could still use traction devices, warm winter clothes, sturdy boots and poles, headlamps, and a knowledge of how to navigate the terrain. Mornings could still be icy above 11,000 feet - 12,000 feet elevation.
Any Time of Year: Choose Your Destination Wisely. Always tell someone where you’re 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.
This summer, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is implementing a new pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system. Park staff are managing for significant increases in visitation to public lands in Colorado, including, along with continued Covid-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020. Two types of reservations are available. One permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period is from 5 am to 6 pm. Reservations are not required on the Bear Lake Road Corridor before 5 am or after 6 pm. The second permit is for the rest of RMNP, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reservation period is from 9 am to 3 pm. Reservations are not required for this area prior to 9 am or after 3 pm. Reservations allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system is for all areas of the park. Please see the park website, Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) and make reservations online at Recreation.gov - Camping, Cabins, RVs, Permits, Passes & More
Approximately 30,000 acres or 9 percent of RMNP has been impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires. Many park trails remain temporarily closed due to the level of fire impacts and ongoing safety assessments. This website is updated as trails reopen. Please see the link aboveA link to the Longs Peak Conditions Report is above. You will find information on the Keyhole Route Conditions plus conditions to hike to Chasm Lake.
REMEMBER, PETS ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL RMNP TRAILS, TUNDRA AND MEADOW AREAS.
Trail is almost entirely snow free to the Boulder Field - no traction devices are needed. Trail between Chasm Junction and Granite Pass is very wet.
By a Park Ranger
6/23/2021 Lawn Lake Trail
Trail is dry up to Lawn Lake. Some snowfields remain between Lawn Lake and the Saddle.
By a Park Ranger
6/19/2021 Red Mountain Trail
Red Mountain Trail has been cleared of down trees.
By a Park Ranger
6/19/2021 Colorado River Trail
The Colorado River Trail has been cleared of down trees past Lulu City.
By a Park Ranger
6/17/2021 Two Rivers Lake, Lake Helene, Ptarmigan Tarn
Four big trees down after the Flattop Mountain Junction and before Sourdough Campsite. Between Sourdough and Lake Helene there are four smaller trees down.Trail is wet in spots with melting snow. About ¾ mile past the trail junction to Flattop Mountain there was still substantial snow on the trail. Considerable snow at Two Rivers Lake and Lake Helene. No problem finding the trail despite the snow. Lakes are all thawed, higher lakes have some ice.
By a Volunteer
6/16/2021 Calypso Cascades
Trail is washed out by passable and muddy.It is always a better idea to walk through mud rather than around it, which protects trails from further damage.
By a Ranger
6/15/2021 Boulder Brook Trail
Hiked from Bear Lake, past Alberta Falls to the Boulder Brook trail, then down to Sprague Lake (8 miles). Trail is completely clear (as would be expected) with running snow-melt water in places. Shuttle bus system may be utilized to do this hike.
By a Volunteer
