Entry No. 63 — the Fort Collins file — filed under: after-dark
Astronomy in the Park (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Each summer RMNP rangers team up with volunteer astronomers for free Astronomy in the Park evenings at the Bear Lake Road Park & Ride. The night kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with a ranger talk as daylight fades to twilight, then rolls into telescope viewing of stars, planets, and deep-sky objects until around 11 p.m. It runs on select Friday nights from June through August; in mid-July the park adds a special stargazing weekend with daytime programs at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
The move: Catch a summer Astronomy in the Park evening at the Bear Lake Road Park & Ride, sit through the ranger's sunset talk, then peer through the volunteers' telescopes as the alpine sky goes fully dark.
📍 Before you go Summer-only and weather-dependent; free program but standard park entrance fee applies (timed-entry reservations may be in effect). Programs run roughly 8:30-11 p.m.
- 📍 Estes Park
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Bear Lake Road Park & Ride, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
last checked: 2026-06-23