Edible and Medicinal Plants of Rocky Mountain National Park

Not only are Rocky’s plants diverse and beautiful, but many species were part of the grocery store and Ph*rm*cy of earlier peoples and are still used today. We will explore these edible and medicinal species with a focus on their identification, current and historic usage as food and medicine, preparation techniques, ethical harvesting, and conservation. We will also discuss some toxic species to avoid!
Participants will:
- Acquire skills in identifying native and non-native edible and medicinal plants found in the southern Rocky Mountains, as well as toxic species to avoid.
- Learn about common, traditional, and historic uses of wild plants, plant parts used, and methods of preparation for food and medicine.
- Understand the importance of plant conservation, ethical harvesting, and safe use of wild plants.

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Moderate – These programs are most appropriate for those with some hiking experience. Expect to travel 1-2 miles over the course of the program and to be on your feet for several hours at a time. Participants should be comfortable navigating both maintained trails and unmaintained meadows or wooded areas. Transportation will be in a 15-passenger van with bench seats and a narrow aisle that requires stepping up to enter. Prior experience hiking or walking above 8,000 feet is recommended.

This program is entirely field based.

When: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Where: Meet at the Estes Park Visitor Center and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.

What to Bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses

About Your Instructor: Leanne Benton is a former ranger-naturalist in Rocky Mountain National Park who has led wildflower and tundra ecology walks in the park for 35 years and has studied and photographed the park’s wildflowers for more than 40 years.

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds.

Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email!

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here:

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at [email protected] or by phone at 970-586-3262.

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Host or Publisher Rocky Mountain Conservancy Education Team