Trail Conditions

 

Bierstadt Loop Trail, December 16, 2025

NPS Photo/P.Allison

Update - December 16, 2025

Winter has arrived in Rocky Mountain National Park. Following recent storms, all trails in the park are impacted by snow and ice. Conditions can vary greatly based on changes in elevation.

Use Caution Around All Frozen Lakes

It is still early in the season and ice 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.

Remember - Your Safety is Your Responsibility

Resources and Safety Information Before Hiking in Rocky:

Going hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park? Be aware that weather and conditions can change rapidly in the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations. Now through August is the time of year when thunderstorms in the afternoon happen almost daily. Be prepared for thunder and lightning.

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	December 16, 2025	Be prepared for snow and ice on all trails in RMNP at all elevations. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised. On higher elevation trails, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised.	Park Ranger
Bear Lake Loop	December 16, 2025	The trail around Bear Lake is covered with snow and icy. The path from the parking area to Bear Lake is snowpacked and icy. Traction devices are advised and hiking poles can be helpful.	Park Ranger
Hidden Valley Area	December 16, 2025	It is still early in the season for snowplay activities at Hidden Valley. Sledding is not advised due to a lack of snow. There may not be enough snow for backcountry skiing. Vegetation and rocks are exposed and there are areas of bare ground.	Park Ranger
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
Dream and Emerald Lakes	December 16, 2025	The trail from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake was covered with hard-packed snow and icy. It was very windy. Traction devices would be helpful.	Park Visitor
Bierstadt Lake Trail	December 15, 2025	From Bear Lake Trailhead to Bierstadt Lake - The trail is snowpacked and icy along the whole route. Traction devices and hiking poles are extremely helpful. There are numerous fallen trees along the trail. As you get closer to top of Bierstadt Lake, the trail is very icy. When hiking from Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake, about 0.5 miles from Bear Lake, pay attention to the trail as you approach a very large rock. The trail goes to the right of the rock. This is a place where it is easy to become confused in the snow. Be prepared for winter hiking conditions.	NPS Volunteer
Bear Lake to Dream Lake	December 11, 2025	From Bear Lake to Nymph Lake, the trail is covered with hard-packed snow and ice. The snow becomes deeper and softer closer to Nymph Lake. Some people have been walking on the ice across the lake. This is not advised, as it is still early in the year and ice could be thin. On the staircase section of trail between Nymph and Dream Lakes, the trail is hard-packed and icy. Traction devices and hiking poles are advised. Beyond Dream Lake towards Emerald Lake, the snow was about 4 feet deep and soft. It is easy to post-hole to your waist. Snowshoes are recommended if heading to Emerald Lake.	NPS Volunteer
Sprague Lake Loop	December 11, 2025	About 2/3 of the trail around Sprague Lake is covered with a layer of hardpacked snow and ice. About 1/3, in areas that are more exposed to the sun, have no snow on the trail. Sprague Lake Trail is easier to walk around compared to Bear Lake due to the amount of snow and ice on the trail.	NPS Volunteer

 

Bierstadt Lake Trailhead

NPS Photo

Submit Your Own Trip Report

Have you been hiking recently on any trail inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Would you like to share with others what 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 December 4, 2025

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

Bear Lake (Site #322) elevation 9500’ 10 inches of snow	Long Draw Reservoir (Site #1123) elevation 9980’ 8 inches snow	Stillwater Creek (Site #793) elevation 8720’ 4 inch snow
Copeland Lake (Site #412) elevation 8600’ 11 inch snow	Never Summer (Site #1031) elevation 10,280’ 15 inches snow	Wild Basin (Site #1042) elevation 9560’ 12 inches snow
Lake Irene (Site #565) elevation 10,700’ 13 inches snow	Phantom Valley (Site #688) elevation 9030’ 4 inches snow	Willow Park (Site #870) elevation 10,700’ 33 inches snow

 

Photos Showing Trail Conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Trail to Bear Lake, covered with Snow

NPS Photo

 

Snowdrift on a secton of the Bear Lake Loop Trail, taken December 15, 2025

NPS Photo

 

Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake - Pay attention near this rock

NPS Photo

 

One of the trees that has fallen across the trail from Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake, taken December 15, 2025

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.