Historic Sites in Rocky Mountain National Park

Ever wonder what it was like to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the early 1900s? Curious about the entrepreneurs who established guest lodges and businesses within what is now Rocky Mountain National Park? This tour is for you!

Step back in time and discover what life was like in Rocky Mountain National Park during its early years. This 4-hour program explores historic sites within the park that tell the story of early tourism, homesteading, and conservation. Learn about the entrepreneurs and visionaries who shaped the park’s legacy while visiting remnants of lodges and early infrastructure. Along the way, we will use historic photographs to connect past and present, and participants may wish to bring their own cameras.

Who: Participants ages 16 and up.

Program level: Easy – Appropriate for most participants. Expect frequent short walks with ample breaks. Participants will be walking on paved or hardened surfaces with moderate slopes and occasional stairs. Participants may travel in vehicles to elevations above 9,000 feet. Wheelchair accessible transportation is available upon request.

This program is entirely field based.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 9:00am to 1:00pm

Where: Meet at the Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517, 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,
• Camera (optional).

About Your Instructor: Walt Borneman is the current president of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Board of Directors. He is best-known in Colorado’s mountains as the co-author of A Climbing Guide to Colorado’s Fourteeners, first published in 1978. He served as the first chairman of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and as president of the Colorado Mountain Club Foundation. Walt has authored many books and articles about mountains, railroads, and the American West, as well as American military and political history.

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