Just a quick update on both the fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the ability to currently access RMNP with the government shut down in place. While much of the current National Park service staff is either furloughed, or unpaid, Rocky Mountain National Park is open. Many of the services are limited in the park, but access to Rocky is possible at the time of this writing. At this time, it appears the National Park Service will keep RMNP open with limited services. Of course this is all subject to change at anytime. If you decide to visit the park, please be courteous, plan on packing out any garbage and to use leave no trace principles as you should assume responsibility for any impact you have.
As to the status of the fall colors, there is still plenty of good fall color to be found and photographed in RMNP at this time. With that said, most areas above 9000 ft are now past peak. The winds are quickly stripping the leaves in these area though patches of good color can be found. Bear Lake and the Bierstadt Moraine are past peak but there are pockets of good color. The area above Cub Lake is also past peak. Moraine Park is nearing peak as is Horseshoe Park. Most of the west side of Rocky is well past peak. The elk rut while slowing, still quite active with the best areas to view being Moraine Park and downtown Estes Park near the golf course.
while there is a lot of uncertainty right now with much of the federal government shut down or impacted by the funding impasse, Rocky Mountain National Park remains open with lots of great opportunities for fall color and wildlife photography. We probably have another week to ten days before we can put a bow on the fall color season but that of course is always dependent on future weather. Have fun out there!