Register below for snowshoe programs on Rocky Mountain National Park’s east side!
General Information
New to Snowshoeing?
Step into the basics and learn what snowshoeing is all about with a Kid-friendly Snowshoe Walk. Along the way, learn about plants and wildlife that call Rocky home. This beginner snowshoe walk is great for the whole family! Beginning on January 25, these programs take place on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and they are 1-hour in length. Participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent them outside of the park.
Kid-friendly Snowshoe Walks: Saturdays, starting January 25, 2025, 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Registration will open on January 18, 2025.
Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins to check in and get your winter gear and snowshoes on!
Looking for a More Adventurous Snowshoe Hike?
Enjoy an afternoon of winter exploration on a Snowshoe Hike! Participants will travel across hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and forest areas 9,400-9,700 feet in elevation. Snowshoe hikes are 2-hours in duration. Along the way, participants will learn about plants and wildlife that call Rocky home. Beginning on January 28, snowshoe hikes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. These programs are open to participants ages 8 and older. Participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent them outside of the park. Advanced reservations are required.
Snowshoe Hikes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting January 28, 2025, 12:30pm – 2:30pm – Registration will open on January 21 and 23, 2025.
Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins to check in and get your winter gear and snowshoes on!
All Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Snowshoe Programs:
- take place on both the east and west sides of the park. This page is only for east side program registration.
- are free, but reservations are required.
- are conducted by National Park Service rangers, interns, and/or volunteers.
- are “moderately strenuous” and open to all skill levels, including beginners.
- Children in carriers are not allowed due to safety concerns.
- last approximately 1 – 2 hours.
- take place at 9,400 – 9,700 feet of elevation on the east side.
- meet at a trailhead but don’t follow a trail. (The exact route can vary with snow and weather conditions.)
- require at least 8 – 10 inches of base snow to safely and effectively use snowshoes.
- may be cancelled at the last minute due to poor weather or snow conditions. (If cancelled, participants will be notified.)
Safety Information:
- Appropriate clothing is essential; this includes sturdy footwear, layered clothing, winter jacket, hat, 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 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. You may consider this activity level equal to hiking at least two miles on a summer trail, jogging one mile, or biking three miles. Programs take place at higher elevations, and may not be suitable for people sensitive to altitude.
Reservations are REQUIRED for RMNP Snowshoe Walks
- Free reservations are required for all RMNP snowshoe programs inside Rocky Mountain National Park.
- 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 on the same walk.
- Snowshoe walks often fill, especially if the day is forecast to be warm and sunny. We recommend reserving a spot early.
- Once reservations are full, a waiting list will be started. Please call if you need to cancel. Once a cancellation is received, we will contact the next person on the waiting list.
- It is the responsibility of the group leader (person making the reservation) to disseminate safety information to their entire group, so that the the group arrives prepared for the snowshoe walk. This includes telling their family and friends about the walk being moderately strenuous and wearing appropriate winter clothing and waterproof footwear.
Reservations are taken 7 days in advance of the scheduled program, in the order they are received.
East Side programs are offered January – March 2025. Specific program location will be provided once reservations are made. East Side (Estes Park) snowshoe programs take place at 9,400 – 9,700 feet of elevation.
Look for a confirmation email from Eventbrite with all the details after you sign up.
Snowshoes are NOT provided. Participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent snowshoes prior to arriving. There are no snowshoe or winter equipment rentals available within park boundaries. Snowshoes can be rented in the town of Estes Park.
RMNP snowshoe walks on the east side of the park will begin on January 25, 2025. Registration will open on January 18, 2025.