ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Upper Beaver Meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park
We’ve hiked and filmed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park, from the Trail Ridge Road tundra at 12,000 feet to the lower montane forests full of elk. The park offers more variety in terrain and experience than most people expect. This guide covers what we’ve learned from extensive time on the ground.
Upper Beaver Meadows also draws lovebirds to say their vows as one of the approved spots for a national park wedding. No matter what your intention, you’ll fall in love with this section of Rocky Mountain National Park.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Upper Beaver Meadow
Table of contents: Upper Beaver Meadow
- 5 Quick Things to Know About Rocky Mountain National Park
- Where Is Upper Beaver Meadows?
- Upper Beaver Meadows Annual Closures
- When to Visit Upper Beaver Meadows
- Best Hikes Near Upper Beaver Meadows
- Getting Married at Rocky Mountain National Park
- Is Upper Beaver Meadows Worth It?
- VIDEO: More Than Just Parks Rocky Mountain National Park Film
- Helpful Related Links
5 Quick Things to Know About Rocky Mountain National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park charges entrance fees, with a one-day vehicle pass costing $30 and a seven-day pass costing $35. That covers up to three additional adults and all children under 16. Those with an America the Beautiful interagency pass get in for free, with access to 2,000+ public lands for a full year.
- Those visiting between late May and late October should review the Timed Entry Reservation requirements. Two tiers allow you to choose between Timed Entry and Timed Entry + (Plus), the latter of which gives access to Bear Lake Road. The Timed Entry + is not needed to access Upper Beaver Meadows unless you are hiking there from Moraine Park.
- Use a paper map to navigate Rocky Mountain National Park, as mobile service is spotty and GPS might be unreliable.
- We recommend taking a day for elevation acclimations in Estes Park, and our favorite hotel offers great amenities and close proximity to everything you need. Upper Beaver Meadows sits at 8,437 feet above sea level.
- Rocky Mountain National Park allows bear spray, though some people will say you don’t need it because there are only black bears in this park. If you do carry bear spray, keep it on your hip or close enough that you can grab it quickly. Only use it in the imminent approach of a bear attack.
Where Is Upper Beaver Meadows?
One of the best parts of visiting this meadow on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is that you don’t have to deal with the crowds of the Bear Lake Corridor. The Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead sits just seven miles from Estes Park and 3.5 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor’s Center.
- From the visitor’s center, drive two miles on Highway 36 until you reach Beaver Meadows Road on the west side of the highway.
- Turn onto Beaver Meadows Road, which is a paved section ripe with potholes, for 1.5 miles until you reach the parking area.
- About 20 parking spots fill the area, but people are known to park on the side of the road. Just don’t block the flow of traffic.
Those using public transportation through Bustang or the Hiker Shuttle should carefully review the pickup and drop-off locations, plus the seasons and scheduled hours.
Upper Beaver Meadows Map & Directions
Upper Beaver Meadows Annual Closures
This part of the park closes during specific hours, along with a few others, during the elk rut. Those dates run from September 1 through October 31, and the closures last from 5 pm to 10am daily. Other closures impacted the areas of Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow, and Holzwarth Meadow.
Upper Beaver Meadows Road closes to vehicles for winter and temporarily shuts down as early as September or as late as May for snow or ice. Check park conditions before you go.
This meadow shuts down as well if rescuers need to land a heliport for a lost or injured hiker.
LEARN MORE: An AWESOME Expert Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
When to Visit Upper Beaver Meadows
The best time to visit Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park depends on your preferences and what you want to experience.
- Spring (Late May to Early June): This time offers beautiful wildflowers in bloom. The weather can be unpredictable, with the potential for lingering snow at higher elevations. Visitation increases by 103% between April and May.
- Summer (June to August): This is the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds. However, the weather is generally mild, and the meadows are lush and green. You can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography during this time. July is the busiest month, with visitors numbering anywhere from 734,000 to 973,000.
- Fall (September to October): Fall foliage is spectacular in Rocky Mountain National Park, with aspen trees turning shades of gold and orange. Elk rut closures are in place, but allow visitors during popular hours. Crowds are 50% higher in September compared to October.
- Winter (November to March): The meadows are often covered in snow during winter, offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular activities during this time.
The best time to visit Upper Beaver Meadows to avoid crowds is in the late spring but before Memorial Day. The busiest months are July, August, September, and June, in that order. As for those snowiest months, that goes to March, April and February (also in that order). Expect the first snowfall in September.
COLORADO TRACTION LAW: The Colorado traction law requires vehicles to have adequate traction devices, such as snow tires, chains, or four-wheel drive when traveling on certain designated highways during winter weather conditions. This law impacts Rocky Mountain National Park by ensuring visitors can safely navigate through snowy and icy conditions on park roads.
Best Hikes Near Upper Beaver Meadows
With so many great hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park, not everyone has Upper Beaver Meadows on their to-do list. However, this trail system connects with many more through the east side of the park.
Here, we share three options, from easy to strenuous.
Short & Sweet: Loop Trail | 1.1 Miles
Easy does it on this trail circling the meadow, with just 125 feet in elevation change. I like to take this trail to see how my lungs are acclimating to the elevation, especially since the car is nearby. You simply walk a circle around the meadow.
Prime elk viewing, peak views, and wildflower blooms fill this landscape at various times of the year.
A Longer Loop: | Beaver Mountain 4.2 Miles
When you want the trail to yourself, consider this loop near Beaver Mountain, which can be added to the smaller loop mentioned above. You’ll walk through Beaver Meadows and then hug the lower section of Beaver Mountain before heading back to the meadow.
With the added length comes a reasonable elevation change, gaining and losing 850 feet on either side. Take this one counterclockwise to minimize elevation or clockwise to get more elevation gain.
Ute Better Be Ready: The Long Trail 6.3 Miles
This one-way adventure takes you 6.3 miles from Beaver Meadows and wraps around the southern edge of Beaver Mountain. Follow the same path as the longer loop; only keep going forward when you hit the Ute Trail.
This brings you along the edge of Windy Gulch and a steep incline up to Timberline Pass. While you’re here, bag that peak at Tombstone Ridge (11,762). From there, the trail leads to Trail Ridge Road in less than two miles.
It sounds pretty, but this trail redefines brutal. The slippery and high-elevation nature is one thing, but an unmaintained trail mixed with snow well into the summer or early in fall challenges your navigation skills.
Plus, you gain 3,200 feet of elevation. Consider having someone drop you off at the Trail Ridge Road trailhead and then hike to Upper Beaver Meadows to enjoy the elevation drop.
Getting Married at Rocky Mountain National Park
Upper Beaver Meadows weddings are just one of many locations to choose from across the park. We put together a list of all 63 national parks, but I’ve added this link for just this park to see your options. The bonus of an Upper Beaver Meadows wedding or elopement comes with the size of the party – up to 30 people in no more than 10 vehicles can join the party.
Just remember those road closures in winter, generally from mid-October to mid-May. Rocky Mountain National Park weddings book up quickly. For example, by late March 2026, all wedding spots were booked through October 2026. Get your special use permit up to a year in advance.
Is Upper Beaver Meadows Worth It?
Reviews are mixed about Upper Beaver Meadows and surrounding trails. The open space and potential for elk and mountain goat viewing make it a more desirable spot. The downside comes with a lack of stunning features, like a lake or waterfall. Plus, this area burned in a 2020 fire and nature’s healing takes time.
Escaping the crowds is always a plus – crowds like the ones on the Sky Pond Hike, especially near Alberta Falls, won’t be found here. That said, you also won’t find Alberta Falls or anything like it here.
An old adage about visitors in the Rocky Mountains goes something like this – if you hike more than a mile or two into any trail, you’ll lose the crowds. I’ve yet to find a time this analogy didn’t hold up, even on a summer Sunday at high noon.
VIDEO: More Than Just Parks Rocky Mountain National Park Film
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Helpful Related Links
RMNP Guide: Rocky Mountain National Park: An Epic Guide to Colorado’s Alpine Gem
RMNP Hikes: 18 Epic Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes (+ Photos)
Lock Vale & Sky Pond: The EPIC Hike to The Loch and Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park
Things to Do Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 15 EPIC Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Things to Do Great Sand Dunes NP: 20 Amazing Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Colorado National Parks: These 4 Colorado National Parks Will Blow Your Mind (Helpful Guide)
National Parks Near Denver: 6 Epic National Parks Near Denver You’ll Love
