Monday, February 2, 2026

Explore Park Science and Stewardship at Rocky Mountain National Park’s Biennial Research Conference

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) invites you to explore research, monitoring, and management during the Biennial Research Conference “Park Stewardship: From Discovery to Decision” on March 4-5 at The Holiday Inn in Estes Park. Scientific research is an integral part of science-informed decision making and adaptive management at RMNP. The park utilizes a collaborative process in which park staff and research partners work together to conduct research to address management questions.

The Biennial Research Conference is presented by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. It is free and open to all who are interested in attending. No pre-registration is required.

Conference highlights include 27 oral presentations by research partners and park staff, a poster session highlighting over 20 research and public engagement activities in the park, an Alpine Ecosystem Question and Answer Panel with park staff and partners, and a Conversation Café in which members of the public can engage in structured, small-group discussions about vital wetland ecosystems in the park.

Oral presentations are organized into sessions covering related subjects. Sessions will focus on forestry and wildfire, park histories and cultural resources, research conducted by Rocky Mountain Conservancy fellows, wildlife studies, long term monitoring projects and management applications, and alpine ecosystem research and stewardship. Oral presentations in the alpine ecosystem session and following subject expert panel will also be available to attend virtually.

New to this year will be an in-person screening of the Alpine Ecosystem oral session and panel held at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Grand Lake. This event is free and open to the public to provide an opportunity for engagement with the conference for the Grand Lake community and will include opening remarks from park staff. The screening will take place in the Auditorium of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, located at 16018 US Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO.

Conference events begin at 8 a.m. each day and conclude at 5 p.m. on March 4 and 4:30 pm on March 5. For a complete schedule of events, to access the wetland ecosystems session virtually, and other accessibility information, visit: go.nps.gov/RMNPConference2026

The conference will take place in the Ballroom of The Holiday Inn Estes Park, located at 101 S Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO.



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Friday, January 30, 2026

Update: Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

Earlier this week we reported that the Treasury Department had canceled their contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, the government contractor that runs Recreation.gov, the website that facilitates reservations for timed entry permits, campsites, etc. Since then, no one has said anything with regards to the future of Recreation.gov - that includes the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Booz Allen Hamilton, or even Recreation.gov. The only comment I've seen on this topic comes from RVtravel.com. In an article they posted on Tuesday, they concluded:
Despite the headlines, Recreation.gov reservations aren’t in jeopardy. The contract news involves a different agency, a different system, and a different issue altogether.
Although they didn't provide any sources for this conclusion, it seems that they might be correct. If anything changes, I'll post something on this blog



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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park to Close August 10, 2026 For Sewer System Rehabilitation Project

Timber Creek Campground, located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, will close at noon on Aug. 10, 2026, and remain closed through the end of the 2026 summer season, for a sewer system rehabilitation project. The campground will open for the season in mid-May, and the last night for visitors to camp at Timber Creek campground will be Aug. 9.

This closure is necessary to begin a major construction project to rehabilitate the campground’s aging sewer system. The project will replace damaged and deteriorating sewer manholes, perform spot repairs on broken pipes and rehabilitate existing pipes in place using pipe lining technology.

These improvements are essential to maintain safe and reliable infrastructure for future visitors. The campground is expected to reopen for the 2027 summer season.

Visitors planning camping trips to the west side of the park should plan for alternative arrangements after Aug. 9. There are additional camping opportunities located in communities outside of the park. Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park Campgrounds, located on the east side of the park will remain open.

Reservations for park campgrounds can be made up to six months in advance at www.recreation.gov



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Monday, January 26, 2026

Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

The Treasury Department just announced that they have canceled its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contractor and consulting firm that runs Recreation.gov, the website that National Parks and National Forests use to sell timed entry permits, campsite reservations and other services. According to a press release issued earlier today:
Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the cancelation of all contracts with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The Treasury Department currently has 31 separate contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton totaling $4.8 million in annual spending and $21 million in total obligations.

“President Trump has entrusted his cabinet to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and canceling these contracts is an essential step to increasing Americans’ trust in government,” said Secretary Bessent. “Booz Allen failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect sensitive data, including the confidential taxpayer information it had access to through its contracts with the Internal Revenue Service.”

Most notably, between 2018 and 2020, Charles Edward Littlejohn — an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton — stole and leaked the confidential tax returns and return information of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers. To date, the IRS determined that the data breach affected approximately 406,000 taxpayers. Littlejohn has pled guilty to felony charges for disclosing confidential tax information without authorization.
Right now, it's not exactly clear what will happen to Recreation.gov. If you recall, there was a class action lawsuit that was filed against Booz Allen Hamilton in 2023, claiming that Recreation.gov was charging "junk fees" to consumers. Several months later, however, the lawsuit was dropped. Hopefully, we'll soon have a better understanding of the future of Recreation.gov, especially for those wishing to visit a park or area this year that requires a permit or reservation of some type.



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Saturday, January 24, 2026

Rocky Mountain National Park to Host a Variety of Ranger-led Winter Programs in 2026

For many, winter is their favorite time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). The park is less crowded and for those who are prepared, winter is an enchanting time to explore the scenic beauty of the southern Rocky Mountains. Weather and snow conditions permitting, RMNP will be offering a variety of ranger-led walks, talks and activities this winter. Winter ranger-led programs are available on both the east and west sides of the park through mid-March.

Programs Offered on the East Side of RMNP Include:

East Side RMNP - Kid-Friendly Snowshoe Walks

Step into the basics and learn what snowshoeing is all about! These beginner walks are perfect for the whole family. Snow and weather conditions permitting, these programs will take place on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and they are 1-hour in length.

No previous snowshoe experience is needed. Beginner snowshoe walks are free to attend (park entrance fees are required). Space is limited and advanced reservations are required. Reservations open seven days ahead of a scheduled snowshoe walk. For additional details and to register, visit https://rmconservancy.org/rmnpsnowshoe/

East Side RMNP - Snowshoe Hikes

Enjoy an afternoon of winter exploration! Snowshoe hikes travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and forest areas within RMNP at elevations ranging from 9,400-9,700 feet above sea level. Snowshoe hikes are up to 2-hours long. During this hike, participants will learn about plants and wildlife that call Rocky home. Snowshoe hikes are for participants ages 8 and older.

Snowshoe hikes are moderately strenuous and participants should be in good physical condition. Participants must have a baseline fitness level that allows them to snowshoe approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevation. One mile of snowshoeing is more strenuous than a typical hike. Programs take place at higher elevations and may not be suitable for people sensitive to altitude.

Beginning on January 27, east side snowshoe hikes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. RMNP’s snowshoe hikes are very popular and fill quickly. Advanced reservations are required. Reservations open seven days ahead of a scheduled snowshoe hike. For additional details and to register, visit https://rmconservancy.org/rmnpsnowshoe/

To Participate in an East Side Snowshoe Program, What Do I Need to Bring?

All participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent snowshoes outside of the park. Snowshoe rentals are not available inside RMNP. For your comfort and safety, appropriate clothing is essential. Recommended items include waterproof winter jacket, snow pants, warm socks, waterproof boots, gloves/mittens, a hat, and sunglasses or goggles. Other essential items include water and sunscreen. Hiking poles are helpful.

Discover Something New at RockyLAB!

Pop into RockyLAB and dive into hands-on fun! Beginning on January 23, come to Fall River Visitor Center on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays any time from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and explore short science and nature activities. Participants can stay as long as they choose. These activities are perfect for the whole family. All materials will be provided and children must be accompanied by an adult. What will you discover? Example activities include dissecting an owl pellet, creating your own ranger station, learning about animal adaptations, and exploring snow science.

Programs Offered on the West Side of RMNP this Winter Include: West Side Kid-Friendly Snowshoe Walks

Join a park ranger for an easy, kid-friendly snowshoe walk and learn the basics of snowshoeing! These beginner snowshoe walks are fun for the whole family. These snowshoe walks take place on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. and are great for participants ages 5 and older. On west-side snowshoe walks, snowshoes are provided. For your comfort and safety, all participants must wear appropriate winter clothing, including waterproof boots. Advanced reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 970-627-3471.

West Side Snowshoe Hikes

Join a park ranger for an afternoon adventure! Snowshoe hikes are considered moderate and travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and forest area. Snowshoe hikes take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. This program is for participants ages 8 and older. On west-side snowshoe walks, snowshoes are provided. For your comfort and safety, all participants must wear appropriate winter clothing, including waterproof boots.

Advanced reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 970-627-3471.

To see a list of all available programs and activities RMNP is offering this winter, visit the park online at https://go.nps.gov/romo/winter-programs or on the NPS App. These programs and activities are made possible by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.



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