With the exception of Bear Lake, where it is prohibited, fishing is allowed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park, but requires a Colorado fishing license for anyone sixteen years or older. In addition, those twelve years old or younger may use bait in waters open to fishing, except in designated catchand-release areas. For a list of lakes that are known to have fish, as well as details of fishing regulations, visit www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.
THE FIRST ENTRANCE FEE
The first person to pay an entrance fee to Rocky Mountain National Park was Abner Sprague, in 1939. Sprague homesteaded in the Moraine Park and built Sprague’s Ranch near the present-day parking lot of Sprague Lake (named after Sprague), with his wife, Alberta, for whom Alberta Falls is named.
You pass through dense forest on the trail up to the Twin Sisters Peaks summits (Hike 23).
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
Large parts of the park are open to public use, specifically backcountry camping, outside of daylight hours. Camping in the park is subject to a fee and is restricted to designated campgrounds or in the backcountry with an overnight wilderness permit. Permits are available at park Wilderness Permit and Information Offices—the Wilderness Office on the east side of the park is adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and on the west side of the park, the Wilderness Office is located inside the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Campfires are allowed only in certain areas where metal fire rings are provided.
When backcountry camping below tree line or in the Boulderfield of Longs Peak between April 1 and October 31, the park requires that all food items and garbage be secured inside a hard-sided commercially made carry-in/carry-out bear-resistant food storage container.
Always select a durable surface to camp on, and pack out everything that you bring in, including used toilet paper; toilet paper takes some time to decompose in the alpine environment and may even be dug up by animals, ruining another hiker’s experience. As for solid human waste, always bury it in cat holes at least 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep. For more information on backpacking and backcountry permits, visit www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping.htm.
FIREARMS
Federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms to carry them within the park provided they comply with state laws and regulations. Firearms are not permitted in certain facilities, and those facilities are always marked.
DRONES
Drones are remote-operated, unmanned aircraft that people often use for videography or for fun. However, to limit noise pollution, protect habitats, protect wildlife, and preserve scenic and wilderness values, the park forbids the use of drones. The only exception is if you have written permission from the park’s superintendent.
WILDLIFE
The park has a large population of free-roaming wild animals, some of which are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Wildlife viewing is encouraged but only from a safe distance. Approaching within 75 feet (23 m) of any wild animal, including nesting birds, or within any distance that disturbs or interferes with their free movement or natural behavior, is prohibited.
CAMPFIRES
Campfires are permitted only within designated campfire rings. Do your part to avoid starting more forest fires that destroy habitat and scar the landscape.
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
In any place this popular, it is imperative that hikers adhere to Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. Although LNT principles don’t always have the weight of the law behind them, it’s critical to follow these guidelines because your caution and care help mitigate overuse. It also ensures that everybody else can enjoy the park as much as you do. You may have noticed that some of these have already been mentioned in the park rules and regulations, but when it comes to hiking responsibly, these principles can’t be stressed enough.
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
Nothing guarantees success in life as much as preparation, and that same rule carries through to hiking. Many hikers get into trouble because they run into conditions they did not prepare for; a lot of difficulties hikers encounter are wholly avoidable. You can avoid hardships by knowing the regulations and concerns of the park, monitoring weather conditions, traveling outside of the times of highest use, visiting in small groups when possible, and using a map and compass to ensure you don’t have to make additions like cairns or other markers to find your way.
TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES
Although Rocky Mountain National Park has specific rules about the distance your backcountry campsite must be from roads and trails, they also expect that you will camp on durable surfaces free of vegetation. Almost all the routes in this guide use formal trails for their entire length, but those trails often travel through alpine areas where vegetation is fragile and can’t withstand even a few people stepping on them in a week’s time. Tread lightly by always staying on the trail, even if you have to step into a puddle or hop across rocks.
DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY
Please put all trash and other refuse into the appropriate receptacle. Rocky Mountain National Park provides trash receptacles at nearly all formal trailheads. You are responsible for carrying out everything you bring in with you. The one exception here is poop, which you should bury in a 6- to 8-inch-deep (15- to 20-cm-deep) cat hole. Pack out your toilet paper in a plastic bag. It takes longer than you might think for toilet paper to biodegrade in mountain climates, and animals will dig the paper up and scatter it around the landscape.
MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
Given how dry this environment is and how destructive wildfires are in the Mountain West, you can have a fire only in designated campfire rings. Try to keep your fire small so that sparks don’t drift off into dry brush. Make sure your fire is dead out, and scatter the ashes around to allow them to cool thoroughly.
RESPECT WILDLIFE
Respecting wildlife is actually a formal law
