Annual meadow closures for elk rut begin in Rocky Mountain National Park

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (KRDO) -- Beginning Sept. 1, annual meadow closures in certain areas of Rocky Mountain National Park will begin for foot and horse travel off designated trails.

The closures will be in place daily from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. through Oct. 31. Officials said the closure time was extended to 10 a.m. from 7 a.m. due to a significant increase in visitors approaching elk.

The closures will be in effect in Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow, and Holzwarth Meadow. Fishing in the Fall River, Thompson River or Colorado River within the posted areas is not allowed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

The purpose of the meadow closure is to prevent ignorant visitors from disturbing and harassing elk during their fall mating period, known as the rut.

As is always the case, calling elk and the use of spotlights or headlights for spotting wildlife is prohibited in Rocky Mountain National Park.