Overview

Hype:

Fall River Visitor Center is on U.S. Route 34, 5 miles west of the town of Estes Park, before the Fall River Entrance to the Park. The visitor center features life-sized wildlife displays, a bookstore, and a discovery room where kids can touch objects and dress up as rangers, Native Americans, and pioneers.

Time:

Fees:

Recommended Ages:

0-3
4-11
12-19
20-49
50-69
70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Features:
  • Visitor Centers
  • Displays
  • Shopping
  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms - Flush
  • Road Access is Paved
  • Access Road is 2WD Accessible

Links: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Getting There

Navigate to 40.401812, -105.586467.

Location

Closest City or Region: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Coordinates: 40.401812, -105.586467

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July 27, 2020 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Greg Dye, Laura Dye, Arianne Dye, Miller Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Jaren Wagner, Killian Wagner,

Story

Because of Covid-19, we had to reserve a time spot to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. Our reservations were for 10:00. It took a little longer to leave in the morning than we thought, and we stopped at the Fall River Visitor Center on our way, so it was close to 11:00 by the time we reached the entrance station. Our van went through fine, but somehow when Ondy made the reservation she didn't click enough OK buttons, and she never actually completed the reservation, so they weren't able to enter the park. We made a U-turn and regrouped at the Visitor Center to reformulate our plans. We ate a picnic lunch on the tailgate while we looked up some activities in Estes Park, then half the people went to Rocky Mountain National Park while the other half drove back to the Airbnb and either napped or watched Netflix. They were concerned about runny noses and coughs and possibly having Covid, so Ondy, Killian and Madi got tested. 

Those of us in the Park drove down to the Park-n-Ride and caught the shuttle to Bear Lake. We then hiked up to Emerald Lake along with approximately 1 million other tourists. I'd hate to see how crowded it gets when they don't have restrictions on entrance. After our hike, we caught the shuttle bus back and drove back to the Airbnb, arriving for a late dinner.

Pictures