Trail Conditions

 

Trail to Dream Lake

NPS Photo/D. Turk

Update - February 18, 2026

Enjoy winter hiking and snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park! Be prepared for cool temperatures and wind. Currently, the amount of snow and ice on trails greatly varies based on elevation and the amount of sunlight an area receives. Expect some snow and ice all hiking trails.

At higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough for snowshoes.

Remember - Your Safety is Your Responsibility

Use Caution Around All Frozen Lakes

Continue to use caution around all frozen lakes. Ice on bodies of water can be thin, especially near inlets and outlets where water is moving under the ice. Walking on frozen lakes or ice skating are not advised.

From now through early June, be prepared for winter hiking conditions; wear warm layers of clothes to help protect your skin from the cold. Waterproof boots, warm socks, traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are all recommended for your safety and comfort when recreating in the winter season.

For your comfort and safety, take time to check the weather forecast before beginning your hike. Be prepared for weather and conditions that can change rapidly and be ready to turn back if needed.

This 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 below.

Resources and Safety Information for Hiking in RMNP

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, pay attention to the trees near you. Know that falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard throughout the park. When hiking, take time to look up and be aware of your surroundings. Trees and branches can fall without warning.

Other safety tips to be aware of, ticks are out. It is recommended to do frequent tick checks when hiking.

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
• Thunderstorms and lighting are common during the summer and early fall seasons. Check out information on Lightning Safety

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Conditions Report

 

Destination	Date	Description of Conditions Found	Reported By
General Conditions for All Trails in RMNP	February 18, 2026	Following recent storms, expect snow and ice on all trails in RMNP. There is less snow on lower elevation trails. It is helpful to carry traction devices to use in areas where trails and walking paths are icy. On higher elevation trails, including the Bear Lake Nature Trail, there is a layer of fresh snow on top of older, hard-packed snow. If recreating in higher elevation areas, it is recommended to carry and be prepared to use both traction devices and snowshoes. Avalanche danger this week is considerable to high. Backcountry travelers are urged to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's avalanche forecast frequently and be prepared to adjust plans as conditions evolve. As always, conditions can change frequently and rapidly, so visitors may find conditions that are the same as, better, or worse than what is described in this report.	Park Ranger
Bear Lake Nature Trail	February 16, 2026	The trail around Bear Lake is covered with hard packed snow. There are places where the snow has drifted. Use caution near inlets and outlets, as the ice is thin in these areas. Traction devices are helpful. Snowshoes were not needed. Waterproof boots are recommended for safety and comfort.	NPS Volunteer
Bear Lake Trailhead to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes	February 16, 2026	From the trailhead to Nymph Lake, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow and ice. Traction devices are very helpful. Snowshoes can be used, but are not needed. Expect deeper snow from Dream to Emerald Lakes. I carried snowshoes, but did not need them.	NPS Volunteer
Nymph Lake to Lake Haiyaha	February 16, 2026	The trail is hard packed from Nymph Lake to the Dream/Haiyaha Junction. The Lake Haiyaha Traverse was well packed down and steep, as always this time of the year. Use care and caution if traveling on this route.	NPS Volunteer
Bierstadt Trailhead to Bierstadt Lake	February 16, 2026	From the Bierstadt parking area and trailhead, the parking lot was icy in patches. The beginning of the trail was fairly dry. As you climb up the trail, there are icy sections of 20 feet or more. Traction devices are helpful for these areas. As you hike closer to the lake, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow and ice. Traction devices and hiking poles were helpful.	NPS Volunteer
Sprague Lake Loop	February 16, 2026	About half of the trail was free of snow and ice, in areas with good sun exposure. Shady areas were covered with hard packed snow and ice. These sections can be difficult to walk on without traction devices. Use caution near inlets and outlets, as ice is thin in these sections of the lake.	NPS Volunteer
Wild Basin to Hidden Falls	February 13, 2026	Beginning at the Wild Basin Winter Parking, the road was mostly free of snow, with some icy patches. Once on the trail to Hidden Falls, there were dry spots and areas with patchy snow. There is more snow as you hike up the trail, traction devices and hiking poles were helpful. Heavier crampons were needed to climb on the trail to the base of the waterfall for ice climbing. There are less frozen waterfalls than compared to previous winters. Watch for chunks of ice falling from the frozen waterfalls. There were a few down trees along the trail that were easy to climb over.	Park Visitor
Cub Lake Trail from Cub Lake Trailhead	February 5, 2026	From the Cub Lake Trailhead, the trail is dry and clear of snow or ice. When the trail veers to the left and begins to climb towards the lake, there are sections of trail that are very icy. The ice is thick and slippery. Traction devices are needed to safely navigate this section of the trail, it is very easy to slip otherwise. Especially take care on the way back down.	Park Visitor
Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Mills Lake	February 2, 2026	Beginning at Glacier Gorge Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard packed snow. The trail to Alberta Falls is wide and flat, with the rocks covered by packed snow. This section of trail is easy for someone to walk on with traction devices. There are dry patches on the shelf leading to the Loch/Mills junction.	Park Visitor
Colorado River Trail	February 1, 2026	From the Colorado River Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow and ice. The trail is packed down to the Red Mountain Trail Split. Traction devices are helpful. If hiking beyond this split junction, switch out to snowshoes. Many people are enjoying cross-country skiing along this trail.	Park Visitor
Lawn Lake	February 1, 2026	From the trailhead, the Lawn Lake Trail is mostly dry for the first mile. Beyond the first mile, there is hard-packed snow on the trail to about 2.5 miles. This is where I turned around.	Park Visitor
Bear Lake to Two Rivers Lake/Lake Helene	February 1, 2026	Beginning at Bear Lake Trailhead, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow. Traction devices were used to just past the 2 rock slopes. In the Banana Bowl, there is deep snow drifting, so this is a good place to switch to snowshoes and continue on the summer trail. Once past the 2 rock slopes, the trail diverts from the summer trail to stay lower in the drainage. Drifting is prevalent due to the high winds in that area. Snowshoes are needed for the rest of the way to Two Rivers Lake as well as to Lake Helene. Lots of rocks are exposed, which make lake crossings challenging.	Park Visitor
Longs Peak & Chasm Lake	December 16, 2025	Winter conditions have taken over on Longs Peak and will likely persist well into June of 2026. Any venture beyond the trailhead will require proper winter equipment, routefinding skills, and knowledge of winter travel. Travelers should expect to encounter snow and ice, extremely cold temperatures, avalanche hazards, and high winds. On the Keyhole Route, expect winter conditions with extremely cold temperatures, drifting snow, and widespread ice formation. Avalanche hazards will persist along the Keyhole Route for the remainder of the winter and spring. Click here to view the Longs Peak Conditions Report for details and recent photos	Park Ranger

 

Cross-Country Skiing along the Colorado River Trail

NPS Photo

Submit Your Own Trail Conditions Report

Have you recently been out recreating on any trail inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Would you like to share with others what conditions on the trail was like?

To submit a trail conditions report:

• 💻 Fill out and submit an RMNP Trail Conditions Report online
• ☎️ Call Rocky Mountain National Park staff at 970-586-1206 and share a report over the phone.
• 🏫 Stop by a Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers and fill out a report in person.

 

How Much Snow is in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Most areas and trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park below 10,000 feet are currently snow free. Expect snow and ice on trails located above 10,000 feet in elevation.

How do we know how much snow is in the park? There are several SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. These are monitored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and there is a website available where anyone can see current and past snow depth information specific to each location.

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

Update as of February 18, 2026

For snow depth at all SNOTEL Sites inside RMNP, see the chart below:

Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 36 inches of snow	Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 41 inches snow	Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 12 inch snow
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 2 inch snow	Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 42 inches snow	Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 26 inches snow
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 50 inches snow	Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 24 inches snow	Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 43 inches snow

 

Photos Showing Trail Conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Trail to Bear Lake, covered with Snow

NPS Photo

 

Bear Lake, taken on January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Upper Beaver Meadows Trail, taken January 25, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Snow cracking on steep slope enroute to Lake Helene, taken January 27, 2026

NPS Photo/D.Turk

 

Deep snow on a section of the Bear Lake Nature Trail, February 12, 2026

NPS Photo/P.Allison

 

Trail to Dream Lake Before Nymph Overlook, taken January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Dream Lake, taken January 29, 2026

NPS Photo/D.Turk

 

Haiyaha Traverse, taken January 12, 2026

NPS Photo

 

Things to Know Before Your Next Hike:

Plan ahead and be prepared for varying weather and conditions. Remember- Your safety is in your hands! Trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park can experience extreme weather and conditions can change quickly. In RMNP, all four seasons can happen in one day!

Any Time of Year - Be prepared: Choose your hiking destination wisely. Know your personal limits and choose a trail that meets your goals within your limits. Be willing to turn back for any reason. 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.

Important questions to consider - Do you have the right gear and equipment for your hike? Do you 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.

• Wear layers of wicking clothing and pack extra socks.

• Bring waterproof outer layers (rain gear/snow gear/windproof jacket) and extra layers for warmth. During the summer season, be prepared for afternoon rain storms.

• Pack 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.

• It is advised to wear closed-toed footwear with a treaded sole when hiking. Slick-soled shoes without good traction, sandals, high-heeled shoes, flip flops, and/or clogs can all lead to cold toes, wet feet, and slips, trips and falls.

Roads can be icy and snowy, especially in shady areas. Be prepared and know how to drive in wintery conditions. If the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is in place in RMNP, for your safety and the safety of other motorists, all vehicles must have properly rated tires with a minimum of 3/16” tread or an approved traction control device.

Pets: Pets are prohibited on all trails, tundra, and meadows areas in Rocky Mountain National Park. For details, see RMNP's Pets Webpage.