As the snow falls and temperatures drop, the Colorado landscape becomes a frosty winter wonderland. Lush valleys are replaced by blankets of white, but it’s still a magical place.
While we enjoy these wintry nights snuggled fireside and all the winter sports in Estes Park, we look forward to spring. Our Estes RV Park is closed for the winter and Yogi Bear™ is hibernating along with many of the animals at Rocky Mountain National Park. We reopen in early May and are taking the off-season to prepare our Estes RV Park for the coming camping season (and get a little R&R of course!)
We thought it would be fun to share what winter is like in Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, and what you can look forward to seeing in the spring!
A Mantle of White
You may picture Colorado being buried under feet of snow for most of winter, but in this area snowfall is sporadic. We do get more than the U.S. average – 34 inches compared to 25 inches. However, the biggest bouts of snow happen in early spring and we’ve had some record-setting snows. In 2017, we had a March snowstorm that dropped 31 inches!
January is the coldest month with an average low of 16 and high of 39. Although it gets cold, we also get a lot of sunshine which helps combat any winter doldrums.
Winter Activities around Estes Park
Because of the ideal weather, visitors and residents like to get outdoors. Sledding, snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing are popular activities in winter and early spring.
There are great opportunities for viewing wildlife too. According to the National Park Service, winter is an especially good time to look for elk, mule deer, moose, and other large mammals in Rocky Mountain National Park. “Look for moose along the Colorado River on the park’s west side. Elk and mule deer are most active at dusk and dawn, and are usually seen in meadow areas. Look for bighorn sheep along the Highway 34/Fall River corridor on the park’s east side. Coyotes may be seen any time of day.”
Prefer animals of the smaller, feathered variety? Winter white provides a beautiful backdrop for bright blue Stellar Jays or the Rosy-Finch. In March, migratory birds start to fly back from their southern homes and Rocky Mountain National Park is key to their habitat. In fact, it has been designated a Global Important Bird Area.
Jellystone Park™ Estes RV Park – Your Home Base for Rocky Mountain National Park
Once late spring and summer have set in, the area is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Surrounded on all sides by awe inspiring peaks of the Rocky Mountains, it’s a place to relax and reconnect with the natural world. Take your pick from a variety of outdoor activities such as fly fishing, horseback riding, hunting, birding, climbing, whitewater rafting, biking or hiking. Plus, temperatures are a warm – but not too warm – with ranges from 70 to 79 degrees.
Our Estes RV Park is only a few miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Included with your stay is access to a heated outdoor pool, horseshoe pits, mini-golf and much more. If you’re traveling with kids, take a look at the full array of Family Fun activities which include theme weekends, games, entertainment and more!
Book Now for Next Season
Winter is a great time to plan your camping trip to our Estes RV Park. Making your reservation now means you get the best choice of RV site or cabin. You can book online or call 970-586-4230 to reserve. We hope you enjoy the winter season and look forward to seeing you in spring!
