Custom Program Options
We can arrange custom tours and other educational programs for your group. Our dedicated educators and guides love sharing their knowledge of Rocky with guests of all ages. Choose the format that fits your group. Each option can be customized around your interests, timing, and the realities of park conditions and staff availability.
Custom Wildlife & Ecology Tours
If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park doesn’t line up with one of our regularly scheduled programs, we can schedule a private program to fit your schedule. We will work with you to plan a customized trip that brings your family or group into the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park with multiple stops for educational outings and/or short hikes.
Our experienced guides will help plan a route tailored to your interests, whether that’s tundra ecology, geology and glacial features, the history of Rocky Mountain National Park, or something else entirely. Itineraries can include short strolls along a lake shore or more challenging short hikes as desired.
All required park entry fees and timed entry permits are included in your reservation fee.
You choose the time and date, subject to staff availability, May through October. Requests are subject to staff availability. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate requests for custom programs during periods of high visitation.
Group size: Up to 14 participants. Larger groups need to split into parties of 14 or fewer and book a separate tour for each group.
Price:
Up to 2 hours: $500
3–4 hours: $800
4–6 hours: $1,000
6–8 hours: $1,200
Private Guided Hikes
If you’re interested in making the most of your time in Rocky Mountain National Park, our custom guided hikes are a great way to maximize your visit. Ideal for families or more adventurous groups, we can arrange a guided hike customized for your interests and abilities.
For groups with young children, we will include plenty of breaks for games, snacks, and snow play in the winter. And for those looking for a bit of a challenge, we can suggest routes with greater elevation gain or longer distances.
Our naturalist guides will work with you to find a date, time, and route that suits your group. Along the trail, Conservancy staff will lead participants on an educational hike, sharing natural and cultural history lessons as well as hiking tips and tricks.
Custom guided hikes include transportation into Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, as well as all required park entry fees and permits. Your guide will also send you a customized itinerary and gear list ahead of your hike.
Winter hike participants should be prepared with hiking boots and appropriate clothing for winter weather. Snowshoes or micro-spikes will be provided at no extra cost. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hikes may be cancelled and refunded at the Conservancy’s discretion due to unsafe road or trail conditions in Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park.
Group size: Up to 12 people.
Price: Half day (3–4 hours): $250 for 1–2 people, $50 for each additional person. Full day (6–8 hours, summer only): $500 for 1–2 people, $75 for each additional person.
Motor Coach Step-on Tour Guides
The Field Institute will provide a step-on naturalist guide to meet your coach at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center or the Fall River Visitor Center. Using information that you provide about your group, we will tailor a program for a custom tour of Rocky Mountain National Park from the comfort of your vehicle.
Please note that step-on tours must depart from and return to the same location.
Step-on Tour Guide fee does not include transportation or entrance fees to Rocky Mountain National Park. Your group is responsible for paying the entrance fees based on the capacity of your vehicle.
You will not need to secure a timed entry permit for your step-on tour program.
Group size: 15 or more people.
Price: $400 for up to 4 hours, $600 for 4–8 hours.
Custom Field Institute Courses
Is there a specific topic that you and your group are interested in diving into? By requesting a custom course, we will match you with an expert instructor on that topic and bring you a unique hands-on learning experience.
These tailored opportunities include transportation into Rocky Mountain National Park or other public lands, as well as instruction from one of our Field Institute instructors.
Custom Field Institute courses depend on specialist instructor availability, so please reach out early for the best chance of finding a time that works for everyone. These programs generally require at least 30 days advance notice to arrange.
Group size: Up to 12 people per course, with a minimum of 4.
Price: Prices start at $700 for half-day courses and $1,200 for full-day courses, including park fees and transportation.
Request a private or custom program
Tell us what kind of experience you’re hoping for, when you’d like to visit, and what your group needs. Conservancy staff will follow up to confirm details and discuss availability.
Custom programs are available only on the east side of the park. Most require at least 14 days’ advance notice, and we are unable to accommodate same-day requests. Custom Field Institute courses generally require at least 30 days’ advance notice because they depend on specialist instructor availability.