THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Beginning Monday, Sept. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 1, and then again Monday, Oct. 5 through Thursday, Oct. 8, the Glacier Gorge Parking area and Glacier Gorge Trailhead will be closed to all uses including vehicle and shuttle bus access.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park will be implementing another phase of the Poudre Headwaters Project during the week of August 24-30, 2026.
Official NPS source
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season
Official NPS source
Beginning Monday, May 11 through Thursday, May 14, and then again Monday, May 18 through Thursday, May 21, trail access will be closed above Nymph Lake to the Dream Lake/Lake Haiyaha junction for a bridge replacement project.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park, in partnership with Rocky Mountain Conservancy, is pleased to announce that the 2026 Artists-in-Residence have been selected.
Official NPS sourceRocky Mountain National Park will implement its 2026 timed-entry reservation system, beginning May 22, 2026.
Official NPS source
Each year to protect nesting raptors like Golden eagles and Peregrine falcons, Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures.
Official NPS source
Park rangers from Rocky Mountain National Park were contacted late Friday night, February 6, by two male climbers on Kiener’s Route in the Longs Peak area requesting assistance.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) invites you to explore research, monitoring, and management during the Biennial Research Conference “Park Stewardship: From Discovery to Decision” on March 4-5 at The Holiday Inn in Estes Park.
Official NPS source
Timber Creek Campground, located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, will close at noon on Aug.10, 2026, and remain closed through the end of the 2026 summer season, for a sewer system rehabilitation project.
Official NPS source
For many, winter is their favorite time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). The park is less crowded and for those who are prepared, winter is an enchanting time to explore the scenic beauty of the southern Rocky Mountains. Weather and snow conditions permitting, RMNP will be offering a variety of ranger-led walks, talks and activities this winter. Winter ranger-led programs are available on both the east and west sides of the park through mid-March.
Official NPS source
Fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of favorable winter weather and conditions to conduct pile burning operations in a variety of locations including Deer Mountain, near Lily Lake, near Moraine and Glacier Basin Campgrounds, off Highway 7 in the Wild Basin area and near Allenspark.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy are pleased to announce that the summer 2026 Artist-In-Residence and Scholar-in-Residence Programs will begin accepting applications beginning on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park staff are beginning a new planning effort to address the decline of wetlands and the growing impact of moose populations on these sensitive ecosystems.
Official NPS source
Based upon the potential for favorable weather and conditions, fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on Wednesday, November 19.
Official NPS source
Today, Friday, November 14, 2025, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) inside Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) officially closed to through travel for the winter season. Trail Ridge Road is closed on the east side of the park at Many Parks Curve and on the west side of the park at Colorado River Trailhead.
Official NPS source
Beginning Monday, September 29 through Thursday, October 2, and then again Monday, October 6 through Thursday, October 9, trail access to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake will be closed to all uses for an outlet bridge replacement project.
Official NPS source
Beginning on Monday, September 1, annual meadow closures will go into effect in Rocky Mountain National Park to prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating season.
Official NPS sourceRocky Mountain National Park will be releasing additional campsite reservations at Moraine Park Campground beginning on Thursday, August 28 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, for reservations for September 10 through September 27. Reservations will be available through www.recreation.gov.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park fire crews responded this morning to visitor reports of smoke in an area above Mills and Jewel Lakes close to treeline.
Official NPS sourceThis morning, park rangers were notified that a 26-year-old male climber had taken a roped fall on the South Face of Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), resulting in lower leg injuries.
Official NPS source
Early this afternoon, Rocky Mountain National Park fire crews responded to the Lumpy Ridge area of the park for a small fire.
Official NPS sourceOn Wednesday, August 13, a body believed to be that of Blake Kieckhafer, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was recovered above Emerald Lake.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park will be implementing the Poudre Headwaters Project during the week of August 25-31, 2025. This project involves the removal of all non-native fish from the Grand Ditch and upstream and downstream tributaries inside RMNP.
Official NPS source
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Blake Kieckhafer, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Official NPS source
At approximately 6 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday, July 23, Rocky Mountain National Park received a report of a potential lightning strike fire seen from Rainbow Curve on the east side of the park.
Official NPS sourceRocky Mountain National Park will be releasing additional campsite reservations at Moraine Park Campground beginning on Tuesday, July 22 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, for reservations for July 23 through September 9. Reservations will be available through www.recreation.gov.
Official NPS source
Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park will be reopening with an initial limited release of dates over a two-week period.
Official NPS sourceRecovery efforts took place yesterday for a 66-year-old female from Fort Collins, Colorado who suffered an apparent fall near Chasm Lake.
Official NPS source
At approximately 6 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, July 2, 2025 park rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park received reports from visitors that smoke was visible from Timber Creek Campground and the Baker Gulch areas of the park.
Official NPS source
To promote a safe and enjoyable visit for all, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers will increase law enforcement patrols and conduct a safety checkpoint beginning on Saturday, July 5, within the park.
Official NPS source
Beginning Tuesday, July 15, through Friday, July 18, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance.
Official NPS source
Summer is in full swing in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are planning to visit the park this Fourth of July weekend, plan ahead and pack your patience. Plan Like A Park Ranger.
Official NPS sourceSpring opening operations for Old Fall River Road continue. On Tuesday, July 1, the road will be closed to all uses (including pedestrians, people walking dogs on leash, and cyclists) between the hours of 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2 through Thursday, July 3, the road will be closed to all uses for dust abatement.
Official NPS source
It’s summer in Rocky Mountain National Park and all rivers, creeks, and streams are flowing high and fast this time of year. Moving water is beautiful, it can also be very dangerous.
Official NPS sourcePark staff have confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in three bats at Rocky Mountain National Park; two bats on the west side and one bat on the east side of the park.
Official NPS sourceLate Wednesday afternoon, human remains were found in an area near the Alpine Ridge Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. This area is near the Alpine Visitor Center, which is located along Trail Ridge Road.
Official NPS source
Hunter Goan is Rocky Mountain National Park’s current Artists-in-Residence. Goan is a Diné (Navajo) landscape painter and arborist with a background in environmental research.
Official NPS source
The following temporary closures have been lifted in the Lumpy Ridge area of RMNP: The Book, Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, Left Book, Thunder Buttress, The Needle, and The Parish.
Official NPS source
Spring snowplowing operations and road maintenance is now underway on Old Fall River Road, located on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The road is closed to all uses (including pedestrians, people walking dogs on leash, and cyclists) Tuesdays through Fridays between the hours of 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Official NPS source
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season. Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy conditions. At this time, nightly closures will not be implemented. However, because weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222.
Official NPS sourceRocky Mountain National Park staff announces the prospectus release for a business opportunity to provide six concession contracts in instruction and guided services in technical rock climbing and ice climbing within the park.
Official NPS sourceRocky Mountain National Park staff has announced a business opportunity to provide seasonal firewood sales to eastside campgrounds within the park.
Official NPS source
A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve.
Official NPS source