![Rocky Mountain National Park Tip: Go On Winter Weekdays](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2021/01/Bear-Lake-Hallett-Peak-in-winter-credit-NPS-photo-by-John-Marino.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rocky Mountain National Park Tip: Go On Winter Weekdays
The National Park Service is recommending visitors come to Rocky Mountain National Park on the weekdays, and not on the weekends. I would 'call in sick,' but 'sick' is a four-letter word not taken lightly these days.
However, Rocky Mountain National Park is seeing such a high volume of park guests on winter weekends, so if you're planning on visiting the Bear Lake area, it may not be a bad idea to make your trip on a weekday, if it's possible.
'We often restrict vehicle access on weekends to the Bear Lake parking area when crowding and congestion warrants, so visitors should plan ahead and come during the week if possible,' a NPS spokesperson Kyle Patterson said in an email.
If you are in the backcountry, always check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website first, NPS also suggested. Last weekend, two avalanches in Colorado were triggered by humans, who required rescue.
'When recreating in the park in the winter always be prepared for the possibility of snow, freezing temperatures, short winter daylight hours, cold winds and changing winter weather,' Patterson said.
In the winter, snow can bury signs and trails, and NPS warns that following others' footprints can get you lost. NPS recommends 'having a topographic map and compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS)'
'Parking lots at Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge and Hidden Valley fill early on weekends and sometimes,' Patterson said. 'Planning ahead is critical!'
For all of the latest park information, visit nps.gov.
![94.3 The X logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/KMAXFM.png?w=100)
Places to Cross-Country Ski Near Fort Collins
More From 94.3 The X
![RMNP To Implement New Reservation System Beginning In May](http://townsquare.media/site/48/files/2022/01/attachment-gettyimages-184302823-612x612.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rocky Mountain National Park May Increase Its Prices Again in 2022](http://townsquare.media/site/50/files/2021/11/attachment-william-king-nu0i4mmkVGk-unsplash-e1637703739970.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rocky Mountain Murder Investigated on New Hulu Series, Wild Crime](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2021/09/attachment-hulu.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cause of Weekend Barn Fire in RMNP Currently Under Investigation](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2019/02/GettyImages-958244700.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Parts of Rocky Mountain National Park Close Due to Snow Monday Morning](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2021/09/attachment-intricate-explorer-FeM_BFEfYbs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Summer Snow Just Happened in Colorado, Don’t Believe Us? Here’s Photos](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2021/08/attachment-Capture3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Colorado Chipotle Will Have Drive-Thru](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2024/07/attachment-id-25.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Popular Snack Gets Recalled in Colorado](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2024/07/attachment-id-20.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USPS Price Increases Already Affecting Coloradans](http://townsquare.media/site/51/files/2024/07/attachment-id-17.jpg?w=980&q=75)