Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Tour: Private Subaru

Drive into the snow-covered park as high as Trail Ridge Road opens, then walk a frozen lake on traction chains.

A private winter tour from Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park in a heated 3-row Subaru Ascent, with your guide driving you up Trail Ridge Road as far as conditions allow, then walking around a frozen Bear Lake or Sprague Lake on flat terrain. The tour runs 4–5 hours and includes park entry (up to $15 per guest), micro spikes for icy walking, heated seats, binoculars, hiking poles and water. Hotel pickup is available for guests staying in Estes Park or nearby towns, or you can meet at the Estes Park Visitor Center parking garage. International travelers pay an additional fee for park entry at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided winter tour in Rocky Mountain Park

• Drive past Stanley Hotel
• Enter Rocky Mountain National Park
• Drive up Trail Ridge Road
• Walk around frozen Alluvial Fan
• Snowshoe around Bear Lake or Sprague Lake
• Stop at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

The experience

You travel in a private Subaru with only your party and your guide, starting with a drive past the Stanley Hotel before entering the park. The route follows Trail Ridge Road as far as the season's snow and weather permit, giving you views from above without the commitment of a backcountry hike. Your guide handles the navigation and the history. You sit in a heated front or second row seat and watch the landscape change.

The walking portion happens at either Bear Lake or Sprague Lake, both flat terrain less than a mile around. Your guide will walk with you on micro spikes (included and fitted to your boots) to keep you safe on icy surfaces. You'll have hiking poles and hand warmers in your pockets. A stop at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center closes the tour, where you can get your National Park Passport stamped and browse souvenirs. If you book the sledding add-on, you'll have up to an hour on snow after the main tour ends.

This is a driving tour with short walks, not a hiking expedition. Infants and small children can come along in a stroller or car seat (you'll need to bring your own infant seat if you're traveling with a baby). The tour suits all fitness levels because the walking is minimal and the pace is set by your group, not a larger party.

What’s included

• Private heated Subaru transportation.
• micro spikes and ankle gaiters for icy walking.
• hiking poles and binoculars with 4K video.
• bottled water and disposable hand warmers.
• park entry up to $15 per guest.
• Beaver Meadows Visitor Center stop.
• hotel pickup in Estes Park or nearby towns, or meeting point at the Estes Park Visitor Center parking garage.

Options for this experience

2 options

4 to 5 hour Winter/Spring tourGuide in English · Available from 6 Nov · 09:00Lasts 5 hours: a private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park that runs 4 to 5 hours, with pickup included

Private winter tour plus sledding in Rocky Mountain National ParkGuide in English · Available from 13 Dec · 09:00Sledding option: you can add up to one hour of sledding at Hidden Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park, with one sled per person included. Lasts 6 hours: everything in the 4 to 5 hour private driving tour plus an extra hour of sledding, making a 5 to 6 hour private tour. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and WednesdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Explore Estes

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see high-country frozen lakes and Trail Ridge Road from a vehicle with flexible routing: your guide adjusts the drive and short walks based on snow conditions rather than following a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the two tour options?

The 4–5 hour Winter/Spring Tour is the standard private drive and walk through the park. The Private Winter Tour + Sledding option adds up to an hour of sledding after the main tour, for guests who want to spend time on snow.

Will we actually drive all the way up Trail Ridge Road?

Trail Ridge Road is usually closed past Many Parks Curve during winter, so your guide will take you as far up as weather and snow conditions allow on the day of your tour. How high you go depends on what's open when you visit.

Do we have to hike, or is this mostly driving?

This tour focuses on driving through the park with small strolls. The main walk is around a frozen Bear Lake or Sprague Lake: both flat, less than a mile, and designed for short legs. There's no backcountry hiking involved.

What happens if Bear Lake is too icy to walk around?

If conditions at Bear Lake don't allow safe walking, your guide will take you to Sprague Lake instead, which offers the same frozen-lake experience on equally flat terrain.

Is the park entrance fee included in the price?

Explore Estes covers up to $15 per guest toward Rocky Mountain National Park entry. If you're a non-US resident, you'll pay any additional fee for a day pass at the park gate on the day of your tour.

Can we bring our infant on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride along in a stroller or car seat. You'll need to bring your own infant car seat if you're traveling with a baby under the car seat age requirement.