Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, weather permitting. Elevation runs from 7,500 feet in the towns to over 12,000 feet on Trail Ridge Road. Most park bathrooms are vault toilets, entry is card only, and the busy season can need a timed entry reservation.
Know before you go. The park doesn't list sensory supports. Here's what it does say about water, bathrooms, crowds, altitude and wildlife.
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting. Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are open year-round, and Fall River Visitor Center keeps winter hours too; all three close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, on U.S. Highway 36 near the Beaver Meadows Entrance, Estes Park, CO (park mailing address: 1000 U.S. Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517)
Trails in lower elevation areas could be icy; higher up, expect snow and ice.
Winter weekends are among the busiest times to visit.
Late May to mid-October
Among the busiest times to visit the park.
Trail Ridge Road is open to through travel only in this part of the year (it closes from mid-October to late May).
Timed entry: in 2026 a reservation was needed to drive in between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Bear Lake Road (including Sprague Lake and Moraine Park) needed a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check the timed entry page for this year.
Moraine Park Discovery Center, with flush toilets and child-sized changing tables, is open late May through mid-October.
Stay close“Always provide proper supervision for children, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water.”
Stay close“It is best to stay back at least one body length back from the edge of riverbanks and waterfalls.”
Stay close“Rocks and vegetation along the banks of waterfalls, rivers and streams can be deceptively slippery.” “Don't try to wade, swim, or dip your feet into moving water.”
“Bathrooms in the park are vault toilets.” “They do not have child-sized changing tables or running water.”
“Late May through October and winter weekends are among the busiest times to visit the park.”
“Elevation ranges from 7,500 feet in the nearby towns to over 12,000 feet on Trail Ridge Road.” “Lightning regularly strikes in the park.” “Conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly.”
“Keep back at least 75 feet, or the length of two buses, from all wildlife.” “For black bears, moose, and mountain lions, keep back at least 120 feet, or the length of three buses.”
Pick one stop and one short trail. Sprague Lake is 0.8 mile with benches along the way, and turning back at any bench is a fine visit. Before you get out of the car, decide who stays at your kid's side near the water.
No cash at the entrance: fees are debit or credit card only (with cash, you can buy most passes at the Nature Store in Beaver Meadows, Fall River or Kawuneeche Visitor Center). A 1-day vehicle pass is $30, and children under 16 don't need a pass. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 each unless they have an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.
Flush toilets and running water are at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center; the bathrooms out in the park are vault toilets without running water or child-sized changing tables.
Sprague Lake trail: 0.8 mile of packed gravel, wood bridge and dirt, with benches along the trail and a fishing pier.
Drinking water is not available in most of the park.
There are no stores or food services at Park & Ride or anywhere in the Bear Lake Road Corridor, so pack snacks.
In 2026 the free Bear Lake Route shuttle ran from late May to mid-October, every 10 to 15 minutes. Most shuttle buses are accessible and can take wheelchairs; contact shuttle staff if you need help.
WiFi is available at Beaver Meadows, Fall River and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers.
Pick up Junior Ranger booklets and badges at the visitor centers.
Elevation runs from 7,500 feet to over 12,000 feet. The park says altitude sickness affects many visitors every year; take your time, drink water, eat and rest.
