Hidden Valley Parking Area
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
- Open now · open 24 hours
About
The parking lot for Rocky Mountain National Park's only sledding hill. Winter is the point. Bring plastic sleds, expect a short hill, and heated restrooms at the bottom, all just off Trail Ridge Road, about seven miles in from the entrances.
Hidden Valley is on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road (US 34), about seven miles from both the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances. It's below and west of Many Parks Curve. The park's flush restrooms are by the parking area, and a warming house may open limited weekend hours. This is the only place in the park where sledding is allowed. You'll need the park entrance pass, and check nps.gov/romo before you drive up.
Snow decides everything. The park has posted very poor sledding conditions when wind and a thin snowpack leave the hill bare, so look at current conditions first. Plastic sleds, saucers, and tubes are fine. Metal runners are not. Sled feet-first, stay inside the marked boundary, and don't bring the dog, because pets aren't allowed on the hill. There's no staff and no lift, so you're on your own for safety. Bring a thermos, dry mittens for the kids, and a second pair of socks. Weekends are crowded, so I'd go on a weekday if you can.
