Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Harbison Meadows

Harbison MeadowsPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +) — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Harbison Meadows open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rocky Mountain National Park. It doesn't name Harbison Meadows, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Prescribed Fire Operations are Underway near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

    Park closure covering Rocky Mountain National Park · NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This picnic area on the edge of Harbison Meadows offers covered and uncovered picnic tables. The beautiful view across the meadow may have been one of the most important factors in convincing Kitty and Annie Harbison to homestead there. In 1896, the sisters started homesteading adjoining plots of land in what is now Rocky Mountain National Park. Neither married and instead ran a dairy ranch, built cabins to live in, and took care of their mother and father. In the late 1930s the park acquired the land from Mame, their fostered daughter, who they left the ranch to after their deaths. The meadow is now home to elk, migratory birds, coyotes and mule deer, while the picnic area can attract hungry chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Picnic Tables: 4 Fire Grates: 4 Use of Portable Grills*: Yes * The use of disposable or portable charcoal grills, wood fuel camp stoves, and gas grills is allowed for food preparation as adjuncts to fire grates provided by the park in auto campgrounds and picnic areas. Where portable grills are allowed, the used charcoal and ash must be completely extinguished and disposed of in trash receptacle. Help keep wildlife wild. Never approach or feed wildlife. Animals that learn people are a source of food can become aggressive or stop hunting or foraging on their own. Keep your distance - it's the law! You could be hurt or issued a fine. Vault toilets are also available here.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Lodgepole

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Huntington House Tavern

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Harbison Meadows

    Best months: June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 4°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 6°

      13 wet · 12 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 20°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      59° / 28°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      71° / 34°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 38°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 32°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      55° / 23°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 13°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 5°

      14 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Lake 1 Nw, CO, 1.1 mi away at 8,720 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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