If you are planning a family vacation to Colorado, you should consider visiting the largest park in the region. To be sure you are prepared we have the perfect suggestion of where to go, as well as more than a few things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park too. In fact, the park has a variety of planned child-friendly activities to help the entire family enjoy their stay. Below are several recommendations on how you can all make memories that will last.
Planned Activities
At Rocky Mountain National Park, you can, during the summer months, count on the rangers to provide educational and fun activities. Of particular interest is the “Rocky’s Junior Ranger Program.” If you have a child that ranges anywhere from kindergarten to 8th grade, they may want to explore the natural world of the park with the help of a ranger. Children learn all about the flora and fauna that live in the Park as well as preservation and conservation efforts. For those who complete the course set out in their very own Junior Ranger booklet, they receive a graduation present of a badge.
The rangers also conduct a variety of other programs. They take different forms:
- Talks/Programs: Attend a talk on several topics focusing on the park and its inhabitants. These include wildlife e.g. bears, birds, elk, as well as the history, geology and other aspects of the park. These talks usually take place at the campgrounds and the Auditorium.
- Nature Walks: Rangers conduct nature walks designed for families. These are small hikes designed to be educational and informative e.g. Autumn in the Rockies, Moraine Park Nature Walk, etc.
- Special Events: Although you and your family can do this on your own, it is fun to attend a Night Sky Program. This informative introduction allows you to do more than glimpse at the wonders high in the sky above us in the summer months. You can also enjoy a movie in the park called Spirit of the Mountains, which is a daily presentation at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Kawuneeche Visitor Center.
For more details, go online or check in at the visitor center.
Things to Do In Rocky Mountain National Park Family Hiking
Of course, one of the major things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park is to go hiking. By carrying your infant on your back or front and the other little ones in tow, you and your family can explore a variety of the trails. The scenery is always breath taking, ranging from mountains, valleys, meadows, lakes and moraines. Use a guidebook and map to navigate your way through the park trail system. Some suggestions that are about a mile around include:
- Adams Falls with its short and easy climb
- Bear Lake Area – simply walk around the Lake
- Gem Lake Trail with its rocks and large boulders, perfect for climbing
- Holzwarth Historic District where you can visit the homestead of the Holzwarth Family and the dude ranch
- The Wild Basin Area, particularly the sparkling cascading waters of Copeland Falls
These are but a few of the amazing and fun things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.
