Custom Learning Experiences
Our schedule doesn’t always line up with your schedule, and that’s ok!
We can arrange custom tours and other educational programs for your group.
Our dedicated educators and guides love sharing their knowledge of Rocky with guests of all ages. We can arrange custom bus tours, send a naturalist along with your group as a step-on tour guide, or work with one of our specialist Field Institute instructors to set up a private educational experience.
Custom programs must be confirmed at least 30 days before the requested date. Email us at education@RMConservancy.org or call 970-586-3262 to get started!
For more information or to schedule a custom learning experience, please contact the Field Institute at (970) 586-3262 or email education@rmconservancy.org
Custom Wildlife & Ecology Tours
If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park doesn’t line up with one of our regularly scheduled programs, we can schedule a private program to fit your schedule! We will work with you to plan a customized trip that brings your family or group into the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park with multiple stops for educational outings and/or short hikes. Our experienced guides will help plan a route tailored to your interests, whether that’s tundra ecology, geology and glacial features, the history of Rocky Mountain National Park, or something else entirely. Itineraries can include short strolls along a lake shore or more challenging short hikes as desired.
All required park entry fees and timed entry permits are included in your reservation fee.
Summer and Fall Custom Bus Tour Pricing:
3-4 hours: $600 (Welcome to Rocky!, Elk Ecology, Women of Rocky)
4-6 hours: $800 (Trail Ridge Road, Journey Over the Divide)
6-8 hours: $1,000 (extended Journey Over the Divide)
You choose the time and date, subject to staff availability, May through October. Requests must be made at least 30 days in advance and are subject to availability. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate requests for custom programs during periods of high visitation.
Winter Bus Tours:
Looking for a warm and cozy way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter months? Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers 3-hour Winter Wonderland Bus Tours, departing from the Estes Park Visitor Center and taking participants through Horseshoe Park to Sheep Lakes and the Alluvial Fan, then to Moraine Park and Sprague Lake. These tours are suitable for all ages and abilities. Participants may choose to take a short walk at Sprague Lake.
Winter Wonderland Tours are 3-4 hours in length and are available on most Tuesdays – Fridays, starting in mid-December.
Pricing: $200 for groups of up to 4 participants,
$400 for groups of 5-8,
$600 for groups of 9-12.
Call 970-586-3252 or email education@RMConservancy.org to inquire about available dates. Requests for Winter Wonderland Tours must be received at least 48 hours in advance and are subject to staff availability and weather conditions.
Private Guided Hikes
If you’re interested in making the most of your time in Rocky Mountain National Park, our custom guided hikes are a great way to maximize your visit. Ideal for families or more adventurous groups, we can arrange a guided hike customized for your group. For groups with young children, we will include plenty of breaks for games, snacks, and snow play in the winter. And for those looking for a bit of a challenge, we can suggest routes with greater elevation gain or longer distances.
Our naturalist guides will work with you to find a date, time, and trail that suits your group. Along the trail, Conservancy staff will lead participants on an educational ecology, sharing natural and cultural history lessons and hiking tips and tricks.
Custom guided hikes include transportation into Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, as well as all required park entry fees and permits. Your guide will also send you a customized itinerary and gear list ahead of your hike.
Group size: up to 8 people
Half day (3-4 hours): $200 for groups of 1-4 people, $400 for groups of 5-8 people.
Full day (6-8 hours, summer only): $500 for 1-4 people, $75 per additional person.
Winter hike participants should be prepared with hiking boots and winter traction devices, such as micro-spikes, which can be rented from various locations in Estes Park. Snowshoes will be provided at no extra cost as required. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Email education@RMConservancy.org or call 970-586-3262 to request a custom guided hike.
Due to limited winter staffing, reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and availability is not guaranteed. Hikes may be cancelled and refunded at the Conservancy’s discretion due to unsafe travel conditions in Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park.
Motor Coach Step-on Tour Guides
The Field Institute will provide a step-on naturalist guide to meet your coach at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center or the Fall River Visitor Center. Using information that you provide about your group, we will tailor a program for a custom tour of Rocky Mountain National Park from the comfort of your vehicle. Please note that step-on tours must depart from and return to the same location.
Group Size: 15 or more people
Price: $300 for up to 4 hours, $500 for 4 to 8 hours
*Price for a Step-on Tour Guide does not include transportation or entrance fees to Rocky Mountain National Park. Your group is responsible for paying the entrance fees based on the capacity of your vehicle.
**You will NOT need to secure a timed entry permit for your step-on tour program.
Custom Field Institute Courses
Is there a specific topic that you and your group are interested in diving into? By requesting a custom course, we will match you with an expert instructor on that topic and bring you a unique hands-on learning experience. These tailored opportunities include transportation into Rocky Mountain National Park or other public lands, as well as instruction from one of our Field Institute.
Group Size: up to 12 people per course, with a minimum of 4
Prices start at $700 for half-day courses and $1200 for full-day courses, including park fees and transportation.
Custom Field Institute courses depend on specialist instructor availability, so please reach out early for the best chance of finding a time that works for everyone!