Raptor Closures

Each year, Rocky Mountain National Park initiates adaptive, temporary closures in certain areas of the park to ensure birds of prey, also known as raptors, will be undisturbed during their roosting, breeding, and nesting seasons. Raptors are sensitive to human disturbance during these times and repeated breeding failures can reduce overall raptor species populations.

Temporary closures occur at known raptor roosting and nesting sites that are also near rock climbing routes, hiking trails, or other focused recreational use areas. Temporary closures also protect park visitors, as raptors may attack people to defend their nests.

Raptor Closures are in Effect Annually February 15-July 31

Each year, Rocky Mountain National Park initiates temporary closures in certain areas of the park to ensure that birds of prey will be undisturbed during their breeding and nesting seasons. These closures include the named rock formations on all sides, as well as trails around the base of all formations, all climbing routes, outcropping, cliffs, faces, ascent routes, descent routes. The access trail to Lower Twin Owls is also closed to all uses.

The same areas that appeal to climbers, trail runners, hikers and boulderers also appear to nesting birds of prey.

Other access trails near these features remain open to hikers and climbers. However, if human activity on an open trail impacts breeding activity, these routes may be subject to closure. All raptor closures will be monitored in spring and early summer 2025. If active nesting activity is taking place, raptor closures can be extended as needed into August 2025.

The following formations will be closed for the protection of raptors:

• The Book
• Bookmark
• Bookmark Pinnacle
• Left Book
• Twin Owls
• Rock One
• Thunder Buttress
• The Needle
• The Parish

The following formations will remain open in 2025:

• Batman Rock
• Batman Pinnacle
• Lightning Rock
• Checkerboard Rock
• Sundance Buttress
• Cathedral Wall (Loch Vale Area)

Based on 2024 raptor monitoring, it has been determined that human use on and near the above formations has not negatively impacted nesting raptors, so these areas have been left open. RMNP's Raptor Monitoring Program will continue to monitor the sites listed above to see if use patterns change.

The same cliffs that provide critical habitat for raptors also appeal to other users. The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The National Park Service is committed to preserving birds of prey. If visitors experience aggressive behavior from birds of prey in the park, have questions about closures, or want to be involved in raptor monitoring, please email us at romo_information@nps.gov.

Formation Closures in Detail:

Closed Areas Include: Left Book, The Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, and The Book (includes Renaissance Wall, Isis Buttress, Pages, Wall Areana, and J-Crack Slab Area)

• All areas in the closure, including side or aspect access, are closed to all access. This includes but is not limited to hiking, off trail or social trail access, and all climbing, approach, or descent routes on all sides. The Black Canyon trail remains open.
• Closures will be lifted or extended as necessary.

Closure Area Includes: Twin Owls (Upper and Lower), Rock One, and The Roosting Ramp (beyond Hen and Chickens)

• All areas in the closure, including side or aspect access, are closed to all access. This includes but is not limited to hiking, off trail or social trail access, and all climbing, approach, or descent routes on all sides. Hen and Chickens and Gollum Arch remain open.
• Closures will be lifted or extended as necessary.

Closure Area Includes: Thunder Buttress and The Parish

• All areas in the closure zone, including side or aspect access, are closed to all access. This includes but is not limited to hiking, off trail or social trail access, and all climbing, approach, or descent routes on all sides. The Pear remain open.
• Closures will be lifted or extended as necessary.

Why Do Raptor Closures Matter?

To balance raptor protection and human recreational activities, RMNP monitors raptors throughout the breeding and nesting season to inform the timing and extent of temporary closures:

• At nest sites where breeding activity is observed, closures remain in place and monitoring continues.
• At nest sites where no breeding activity is observed, closures may be lifted early.
• If evidence of nesting is found in a new location, a new temporary closure may be recommended depending on the risk of human disturbance to that nest.

Do your part to protect raptors. Recreate Responsibly and Respect Area Closures.

Areas not listed are presumed to be open.

• Closures include all climbing, approach, and descent routes for the indicated formation on all sides of those formations.

• Closure notices will also be posted at key access points in the park.

As breeding and nesting data are collected, additional closures may be lifted or extended.

Violation of these closures will result in a court citation under the authority of 36 CFR 1.5(f).

Bald Eagle Closures are in Effect November 15 through March 15

Closures are in effect on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park near the Colorado River annually from November 15 through March 15 for the protection of migrating Bald Eagles. Each winter, Bald Eagles return to a communal winter roost site near the Colorado River, on U.S. Forest Service land adjacent to the park. To limit disturbance, Rocky Mountain National Park closes portions of the East Shore trail, a stretch of the Colorado River, and Columbine Bay.

The Colorado River and a zone 300-yards wide on both sides of the river are closed to human entry during this time. Hiking on Ranger Meadows Loop trail, outside the closure, is permitted.

Closures are collaboratively managed by Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Forest Service and will be lifted or extended as necessary.