Trail Conditions
We recommend using Alltrails.com for the latest updates on trail conditions. https://www.alltrails.com/ RMNP intermittently updates their site while Alltrails is updated almost daily.
Updated June 11, 2025
As spring transitions to summer, conditions are changing rapidly and frequently (daily & even hourly). This trails conditions report is best used as a general guide. By the time you start your hike, conditions on trails in RMNP could be the same, better, or worse than what is described in this report. Remember - Your Safety is Your Responsibility.
Most snow has melted on trails in lower elevation areas of the Rocky Mountain National Park. With recent rain, expect sections of lower elevation trails to be wet and muddy. If hiking in areas above 9,000 feet in elevation, continue to be prepared for winter hiking conditions with snow and ice on trails.
- For higher elevation destinations, traction devices and hiking poles are advised and winter navigation skills continue to be important.
- When hiking on wet and muddy trails, practice Leave No Trace by hiking through the mud.
- Stepping off trail to avoid puddles expands the footprint of a trail and causes erosion.
- Wearing waterproof boots with good traction and moisture-wicking socks can help keep your feet dry this time of year.
Resources and Safety Information Before Hiking in Rocky:
Going hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park? Be aware that weather and conditions can change rapidly in the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations.
When hiking in forest areas, know that falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard. When hiking, take time to look up and be aware of your surroundings. Trees can fall without warning! Other safety tips to be aware of, ticks are out. It is recommended to do frequent tick checks when hiking. Be aware that spring and summer lightning and thunderstorms are common in May, June, July, and August.
Helpful Resources:
- Check out the National Park Service Trip Planning Guide
- Looking for Information on Longs Peak: View the Longs Peak Conditions Report
- For Area Closures: View Fire Information Area Closures
- Ticks are out. Check out information on Tick Safety
- Thunderstorms and lighting are common during the summer. Check out information on Lightning Safety
NPS Photo
How Much Snow is in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Snow Depth at SNOTEL SITES in RMNP - Updated June 11, 2025
There are several SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has a website where snow depth monitoring results are available.
The main SNOTEL Website is: https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=
Every SNOTEL site has a unique site number. For example, the site number for Bear Lake is 322. To see information specific to Bear Lake, visit https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=322
For snow depth at all SNOTEL Sites inside RMNP, see the chart below:
|
Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 0 inches of snow |
Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 0 inches snow |
Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 0 inch snow |
|
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 0 inch snow |
Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 10 inches snow |
Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 0 inches snow |
|
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 0 inches snow |
Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 0 inches snow |
Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 0 inches snow |
| Destination | Date | Description of Conditions Found | Reported By |
| From Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake Overlook on the Flattop Mountain Trail | June 11, 2025 | The trail from Bear Lake to the Bierstadt Lake Junction is clear of snow and dry. From the Bierstadt Lake Junction to the Fern Lake/Odessa Lake Junction, sections of the trail are still covered with hard-packed snow and some areas are waterlogged. From the Fern Lake/Odessa Lake Junction to the Dream Lake Overlook, the trail begins with patches of snow on the path and sections that are waterlogged. As you get closer to Dream Lake Overlook, the trail is mostly covered with snow. Winter navigation skills may be needed to follow the snow-covered trail. From Dream Lake Overlook to Emerald Lake Overlook, the trail is almost fully covered with snow. The snow was soft and slippery. It is easy to get off the trail, as the trail is difficult to follow due to the amount of snow covering the trail. It is easy to posthole in the snow. Be prepared for winter hiking conditions and navigation. | NPS Volunteer |
| Bear Lake to Lake Helene | June 10, 2025 | The trail is clear of snow and ice to the Bierstadt Lake Junction (about 0.5 miles up the trail). There is still some snow and ice on the trail between Bierstadt Lake Junction and the Flattop Mountain Junction. From the Flattop Mountain Junction to Lake Helene, sections of the trail are still covered with snow. Some sections have melted and are snow free. With the snow, it can still be difficult to navigate correctly. A navigation device like a GPS and a map are strongly advised. Winter navigation skills are needed. The slope is slippery and traction devices and hiking poles are advised. Be Aware - From Lake Helene, the traverse towards Odessa Lake and Fern Lake quickly steepens and becomes very slippery. There is a steep drop into a gully below. This section of trail remains covered with snow and ice. Traveling from Lake Helene to Odessa Lake on this stretch of trail is not advised until the snow melts in likely 2 to 4 more weeks. |
NPS Volunteer |
| Deer Mountain Trail | June 9, 2025 | The Deer Mountain Trail is now clear of snow and ice. | NPS Volunteer |
| Longs Peak Trailhead to Chasm Lake | June 9, 2025 | From Longs Peak Trailhead to Chasm Lake, the trail is mostly snow free except for a significant section near treeline and the Chasm Crossing. Traction devices, hiking poles, and an ice axe are advised if traveling on the Chasm Crossing. For more details, see the park's Longs Peak Conditions Report. | NPS Volunteer |
| Longs Peak Trailhead to Eugenia Mine to Estes Cone | June 9, 2025 | From Longs Peak Trailhead to the Eugenia Mine Trail Junction is clear of snow and ice. Most of the trail is clear of snow and ice all the way to Estes Cone. There is a significant amount of water flowing on the trail near Eugenia Mine. | NPS Volunteer |
| Bear Lake to Nymph Lake | June 8, 2025 | The trail from Bear Lake Trailhead to Nymph Lake is clear of snow and ice. If you continue up the trail past Nymph to Dream Lake, be prepared for snow on the trail. | Park Visitor |
| Fern Lake Trailhead to Fern Lake | June 7, 2025 | From Fern Lake Trailhead to Fern Lake, the trail is clear of snow and ice. There were some wet and muddy sections of the trail. | Park Visitor |
| From Timber Lake Trailhead to Timber Lake | June 4, 2025 | The first three miles of the trail is clear of snow and ice. Snow is on the trail beyond that point. The snow is becoming soft and hikers are postholeing up to their knees. There are downed trees on the trail of varying sizes. | Park Ranger |
| Fern Lake to Odessa | June 4, 2025 | The trail from Fern Lake to Odessa is still covered with snow and icy. This section of trail can be icy, slippery, and slushy. Good winter navigation skills are needed along with winter mountaineering gear, including crampons/microspikes and an ice axe. Sections of this trail have a steep slope. Unless you have the right gear for these conditions and knowledge to use that gear, this section of trail is not currently recommended. | Park Visitor & Park Ranger |
| From Nymph Lake to Dream Lake | June 3, 2025 | The trail from Nymph Lake to Dream Lake has patches of wet, icy and snow-covered ground. There is a slippery section still covered with snow and ice between Nymph Lake and Nymph Overlook. The trail is also snow and ice-covered as you get closer to Dream Lake. The log bridge located just before Dream Lake has large snow piles on each side and there are slippery slopes down to the log bridge on each side of the Tyndall Creek crossing. | |
| Dream Lake to Emerald Lake | June 3, 2025 | From Dream Lake to Emerald Lake, the trail is covered with snow and ice. This section of trail can be very slippery. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised and this trail can be difficult without them. | NPS Volunteer |
| From Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha | June 3, 2025 | The trail from Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, known as the "Haiyaha Traverse," is still mostly snow-covered and icy. The section in the trees near Dream Lake is steep, narrow, and very slippery starting right at the Dream/Haiyaha Junction. The section above the cliffs that is the main challenge during the winter has mostly melted out. | NPS Volunteer |
| From Glacier Gorge to Alberta Falls | June 3, 2025 | This section of trail is free of snow and ice. Places may be wet and muddy. | Park Visitor |
| Sprague Lake Loop Trail | June 1, 2025 | The Sprague Lake Loop Trail is free of snow and ice. There could be wet and muddy patches. | Park Ranger |
| Lily Lake Loop and Lily Ridge Trail | June 1, 2025 | The Lily Lake Loop Trail and Lily Ridge Trail are free of snow and ice. The trail was mostly dry. | Park Visitor |
| From Alberta Falls to The Loch/Mills Junction | May 27, 2025 | There are some longer stretches of trail in this area that are covered with snow and slippery ice that cannot be avoided. Most of the trail is free of snow. Packing traction devices in a pack and using them on the slippery sections is recommended. | NPS Volunteer |
| From Mills Lake to Black Lake | May 27, 2025 | Sections of the trail go back and forth between being snow free and covered with snow and ice. Hikers should be prepared to hike on sections of trail that are wet, muddy, snow-packed and icy. Traction devices are advised for the icy sections. | NPS Volunteer |
| Black Lake | May 27, 2025 | Black Lake is still covered with snow and ice, however, ice is thin and melting. Do not try to walk on the ice. | NPS Volunteer |
Submit Your Own Trip Report
Send us an email, call (970) 586-1206, or stop by a park visitor center.
For Your Safety
These Trail Conditions reports are the viewpoints of the submitters, whether park staff, volunteers, or visitors. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Use these reports only as guidelines. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions.
Falling trees are ever-present hazards when traveling in the forest. Be aware of your surroundings. Dead trees can fall without warning!
Due to the September 2013 Flood, missing foot bridges, uneven trail surfaces, unstable slopes, falling trees due to soil moisture, rutted trails, damaged water bars and steps, standing water, difficult water crossings, and missing directional signs could be encountered. Most of Rocky Mountain National Park is designated wilderness, where self-reliance and adventure are expected. Hikers should be prepared to take responsibility for their own actions; search and rescue may be delayed. Be prepared to stay overnight even if you are a day hiker. Hiking poles may be helpful on uneven trails. Route finding skills may be required. Carry a map and compass and other backcountry travel essentials. Hike at your own risk.