Astronomy/Stargazing
If Trail Ridge is still open, drive up to the Visitor Center or stop at one of the overlooks towards the top.
If Trail Ridge is closed, Moraine Park on the east side, and any of the pullouts on the west side.
The dark night sky is an important aspect of Rocky Mountain National Park. A great way to learn about the stars is by attending the park's Night Sky and Astronomy programs.
The address for Arrowhead Acres Camp is 3315 Weldon Springs Rd, Clinton, IL.
Visit their website at http://arrowheadacres.net/Indexaac.htm for more information.
For directions, go to the following! http://yellowpages.whowhere.com/il/clinton/arrowhead-acres-camp-L2205714398.html?diktfc=20CA9B4F015C16D50B52DAFA6E8FEA3EEE3C72BE3327
The Great American Backyard Campout is on Saturday, June 25, 2011 and the perfect opportunity to expose your family to the joys of camping. Whether it’s your first time camping out or 500th, backyard or backcountry, be sure to get outside with your tent!
READ MORE
Funny you should ask! We just published a feature about park shuttles yesterday. You can read it here: Explore National Parks by Taking the Shuttle.
| South Rim | North Rim | Inner Gorge | |||||||||
| Max | Min | Precip | Max | Min | Precip | Max | Min | Precip | |||
| May | 70 | 39 | 0.66 | 62 | 34 | 1.17 | 92 | 63 | 0.36 | ||
| June | 81 | 47 | 0.42 | 73 | 40 | 0.86 | 101 | 72 | 0.30 | ||
| July | 84 | 54 | 1.81 | 77 | 46 | 1.93 | 106 | 78 | 0.84 | ||
| August | 82 | 53 | 2.25 | 75 | 45 | 2.85 | 103 | 75 | 1.40 | ||
| September | 76 | 47 | 1.56 | 69 | 39 | 1.99 | 97 | 69 | 0.97 | ||
Roughly the end of May... Here's a handy site that lists the opening and closing dates for the past 75 years!!
http://www.monobasinresearch.org/data/tiogapass.htm
Early May can be a iffy time for roads. According to the NPS site, "weather permitting" roads from Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge and out the East Entrance should be open to vehicles. The West Entrance should also be open at that time since it's slated to re-open around April 15th. The South Entrance doesn't open until May 13th. Also, Dunraven Pass, the road that links Tower Junction with Canyon Village doesn't open up until later in the season. Great places to hit up in the park include:
- Old Faithful
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Elk Park
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Gardiner, MT (North Entrance Town)
- Fossil Tree
- Lamar Valley
- Cooke City, MT (Just outside the NE Entrance. Some great food!
- Upper and Lower Falls
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Hayden Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
- and Cody, WY
If you were coming later in the season, I'd suggest Dunraven Pass (in the park) or the Beartooth Highway (just NE of the park, starting past Cooke City). Some excellent views on both of them.
I hope this helps!
