Event

East Side Snowshoe Walk

Rocky Mountain National Park

Fee:

Free.

Location:

These snowshoe programs take place on the East Side of the park, via Estes Park. West Side snowshoe programs are listed separately. East Side snowshoe programs take place at 9,000-9,400 feet of elevation and may not be suitable for individuals sensitive to high elevations. Snowshoe walks travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows or mixed conifer forests within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Repeating Event

Days:

Every week on Tuesday

Dates:

January 17, 2023 to March 11, 2023

Time:

12:30 PM

Duration:

2 hours

Type of Event

Hike
Walk

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. Since the snowshoe walks do not follow a distinct route or visible trail, we are not able to accommodate late-comers.

Description

Join a ranger-led snowshoe walk to explore Rocky Mountain National Park during winter. Snowshoe walks travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows or mixed conifer forests within Rocky Mountain National Park, and are offered on both the east and west sides of the park.

East Side beginner snowshoe walks are considered “moderately strenuous” but are open to all skill levels, including visitors inexperienced with snowshoeing. Snowshoes are NOT provided for East Side programs. Participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent snowshoes prior to arriving. Snowshoes can be rented in the town of Estes Park.

  • Snowshoe walks last approximately two hours. 
  • Ranger-led snowshoe walks are open to participants eight years of age and older; children in carriers are not allowed due to safety concerns.
  • Appropriate clothing is essential; this includes hiking boots or snow boots, layered clothing, and water/wind resistant outer layers, hats, and gloves. Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
  • Water resistant hiking boots or snow boots are required. Due to safety concerns (hypothermia and frost bite), participants wearing tennis/gym shoes will not be allowed to participate in the guided snowshoe walk.
  • Participants must have a baseline fitness level that allows them to snowshoe approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevation. One mile of snowshoeing is more strenuous than a typical hike in the park. 
  • Snowshoe programs may be cancelled at the last minute due to poor weather or snow conditions. If programs are cancelled, we will contact participants on the reservation list.

More information

Reservation or Registration: Yes

Reservations are required. Call 970-586-1223 to reserve a spot for an East Side (Estes Park) snowshoe walk. Reservations are taken 7 days in advance of the scheduled program, in the order they are received. Space is limited to a total of 20 people per program. Due to limited space, a maximum of 6 members of the same group may sign up for a reservation. Once reservations are full, a waiting list will be started. Once a cancellation is received, we will contact the next person on the waiting list. Snowshoe walks often fill, especially if the day is forecast to be warm and sunny. We strongly recommend reserving a spot early. It is the responsibility of the group leader/person making the reservation to disseminate safety information to their entire group, including information about snowshoe walks being moderately strenuous and tennis shoes/gym shoes not being allowed. It is the leader's responsibility to ensure that their family/friend group arrives prepared for the snowshoe hike, so that the entire ranger-led group may have a safe, fun, and enjoyable experience.