NPS Resources and Safety Information to Check Out Before Hiking in Rocky:The following trail conditions reports are the viewpoints of the submitters. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Trail conditions that are described one day may change rapidly, based on weather and other factors. These reports are provided as guidelines. Be prepared for varying weather and trail conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park year-round. Falling trees and branches are ever-present hazards when traveling in the forest. When hiking in the forest, look up and be aware of your surroundings. 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.
Bierstadt Lake, frozen over, with peaks of the Continental Divide in the distance How Much Snow is in Rocky Mountain National Park?
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| Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 54 inches snow |
Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 53 inches snow |
Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 27 inches snow |
| Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 1 inch snow |
Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 71 inches snow |
Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 43 inches snow |
| Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 69 inches snow |
Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 37 inches snow |
Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 54 inches snow |
Submit Your Own Trip Report
Call us at 970-586-1206 or stop by one of Rocky Mountain National Park's visitor centers.
RMNP Trail Conditions Report as of March 21, 2025
| Destination | Date | Description of Conditions Found | Hiked By |
| Bear Lake Trailhead and Corridor | 3/21/2025 | All trails that begin from the Bear Lake Trailhead are covered with snow. Snow at Bear Lake is about 54-inches deep. Many trails are hard-packed and icy. At higher elevations, snowshoes are advised due to deeper snow to prevent postholing. | Park Ranger |
| West Side Trails | 3/21/2025 | Trails are snow covered and hard-packed for at least a 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised, as trails may be icy. Due to deeper snow, snowshoes are advised when hiking beyond 1-mile from the trailhead and in areas off-trail. If planning to go cross-country skiing, skiing conditions in most areas are crusty, icy, and packed down. | Park Ranger |
| From Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake | 3/20/2025 | From Bear Lake to the Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail, most of the trail was hard-packed with snow and icy. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised to help prevent slips and falls, particularily in the steeper sections. The loop around Bierstadt Lake is hard-packed and covered with snow. There are some places on the Bierstadt Lake Loop where it is difficult to see where the trail goes because of wind-blown snow, otherwise the trail is fairly easy to follow. |
NPS Volunteer |
| From Bierstadt Lake Trailhead to Bierstadt Lake | 3/20/2025 | When beginning at Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, and hiking to the top of the slope, about half of the trail is dirt and half is covered with hard-packed ice and snow. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised. The icy sections are very slippery. Snowshoes are not needed at this time. From the top of the slope and all around Bierstadt Lake, the trail is entirely covered with hard-packed snow. | NPS Volunteer |
| Sprague Lake Loop | 3/20/2025 | The trail around Sprague Lake is half melted, with dirt exposed and half c | Park Volunteer |
| Alluvial Fan Trail | 3/20/2025 | The Alluvial Fan Trail, from both west and east Alluvial Fan Parking Areas, has melted out and is mostly free of snow and icy. There may be icy patches on the trail. Traction devices are currently not needed. |
NPS Volunteer |
| From Glacier Gorge to Black Lake | 3/18/2025 | Beginning at Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail is hard-packed. Traction devices are advised. Going up the trail in elevation, the snow is deep enough that snowshoes are needed. The trail is covered with snow all the way to Black Lake. From Mills to Black Lake, the snow is deep and snowshoes and hiking poles are needed. Good route-finding skilsl and winter navigation skills are advised. | NPS Volunteer |
Timber Lake Trail Be advised a landslide occurred summer 2014 two miles beyond the Timber Lake trailhead and goes all the way to the top of Jackstraw Mountain. That landslide is still there, is active and unstable, and continues to worsen each year.
Any time of year, and affected by season, elevation, slope, and exposure, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) can have extreme weather, and conditions can change quickly. In RMNP, all four seasons can happen in one day! Plan ahead and be prepared.
Any Time of Year: Choose Your Destination Wisely. Always tell someone where you are 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.
Lakes Always proceed with caution around icy lakes, especially around inlets, outlets, and rocks, where the ice can be thin.
Route-finding is important. RMNP trails are not marked in winter and following other tracks is not advised, as you don’t know where they lead, and wind and new snow obliterate tracks. When trails are covered in snow, signs may not be visible. Carry a map and compass or GPS and know how to use them.
Be Prepared for Conditions with Essentials. It is important to bring and use the right gear, especially suitable gear for the season.Plan that trails can be snowy much of the year. Depending on conditions and elevation, some trails can be icy and snowy September through midsummer. Do you have the right gear and equipment, and know how to use it?
- Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended, as trails may be icy. Or depending on conditions after snowstorms or at higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised. Hiking poles are helpful for stability.
- Food and water are essential no matter how long your hike.
- Layers of wicking clothing and extra socks.
- Waterproof outer layers and extra layers for warmth; in summer, raingear.
- A hat and gloves, sunglasses or goggles, and sunscreen any time of year. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days. Protect your eyes from the sun and blowing snow
- Wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole for hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction (ex. sneakers), sandals, flip flops, plastic clogs) can lead to cold toes, wet feet, slips, trips and falls.
Fire Impacts Approximately 30,000 acres or 10 percent of RMNP has been impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires. Some 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 above.
REMEMBER, PETS ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL RMNP TRAILS, TUNDRA AND MEADOW AREAS
Trail Closures
East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fire Closures
- Some park trails and areas remain closed due to fire impacts. Park staff will continue to assess these areas for safety and downed trees, being mindful of high winds that occur this time of year causing more trees to fall. Learn more here.
Last updated: April 1, 2025