Rocky Mountain National Park
Just For Kids
The park has a "Rocky's Junior Ranger Program" geared toward children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Emphasis is placed on park preservation, flora and fauna facts, and environmental education. When kids complete the Junior Ranger program, they earn a badge. Check at a visitor center for information.
"Kid's Adventure" is a ranger-led program for kids 6 to 12 years old. It focuses on hands-on activities that teach kids about the park's geology and wildlife. At the "Skins and Skulls" talk, kids touch animal skulls and hides while learning about moose, elk, bighorn sheep, bobcats and other creatures.
"Importance of Being a Bea-ver," "Tales for Tots," "Bug A Ranger," "Feathers N' Such," and "Wetland Detec-tives" are terrific programs led by park rangers. Kids and adults can learn how beavers make their home in the harsh Rocky Mountain environment. Bring your Junior Ranger Log Book to earn credit for attending. Check at a visitor center for times.
Saddle up a horse and ride into the high country. This is a wonderful way for older children to see more alpine country than possible on foot. Sign up for guided rides that allow you to fish for German brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. (A state fishing license is required.) Call Glacier Creek Stables at (970) 586-3244 or Moraine Park Stables at (970) 586-2327 for more information.
At the Moraine Park Museum, see exhibits created by the Denver Museum of Natural History. The "animal, vegetable, mineral" game is fun to play after learning about the geology and wildlife of the Rockies. For example: "I'm thinking of something that's speckled when it's warm out and white when it snows." (A ptarmigan.)
Rocky Mountain In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
