Art & Stories of Rocky Mountain National Park: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Rocky Mountain Conservancy's Education Team directly supports the organization's mission by offering a wide range of educational opportunities, focused on building a love of wild places and inspiring people to act to preserve them. Educational offerings include half-day, full-day, and multi-day adult programs led by expert instructors, as well as scenic ecology bus tours for the whole family, guided hikes, and special programs just for kids and families.

Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Explore the beauty and history of Rocky Mountain National Park through art and stories on our exclusive behind-the-scenes tour!

Fall River Visitor Center

Art & Photography Courses

Photography and fine art courses, for beginners and beyond! These course range from 1 to 3 days in length and feature world-class instructors and the ever-inspiring grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Field Institute

Our signature program, Field Institute courses offer an in-depth learning experience across a wide range of Rocky Mountain specialties and are led by our most knowledgeable instructors. Park transportation, fees, and permits are included.

New for 2025

We're excited to showcase new and updated courses for Summer 2025! Many of these programs were suggested by past Field Institute participants, and we hope you'll check them out.

Explore the variety of art found throughout Rocky Mountain National Park and learn some of the history and untold stories about the artists who created those pieces, and their connection to this special place. This all day program will include stops to see work from Rocky's "Artist in Residence" collection, the chance to learn about journalist and writer William Allen White, and a visit to the park's main visitor center with an eye towards art and architecture. This tour will include some behind the scenes aspects of art in the park!Who: Participants ages 16 and up.Program level: Easy – Appropriate for most participants. Expect frequent short walks with ample breaks. Participants will be walking on paved or hardened surfaces with moderate slopes and occasional stairs. Participants may travel in vehicles to elevations above 12,000 feet. Wheelchair accessible transportation is available upon request.This program is entirely field based.When: Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pmWhere: Meet at the Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517, and travel together to various locations within RMNP in Conservancy vehicles. All required fees and permits for park entry are included in your registration.What to Bring:<ul><li><a href="https://rmconservancy.org/learn-with-us/field-institute/essential-gear-for-field-institute-courses/" title="https://rmconservancy.org/learn-with-us/field-institute/essential-gear-for-field-institute-courses/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">10 Essentials for Field Institute Courses</a></li></ul>About Your Instructor: Kim Swift is a retired National Park Service interpreter and educator with 32 years of experience. She worked for three years as the Division Manager for Interpretation and Education at Rocky Mountain National Park. Previously she served at Indiana Dunes National Park as the Director of Education. She began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Papua New Guinea; learned about the National Park Service as a Student Conservation Association intern at Shenandoah National Park; joined the team at Indiana Dunes in 1992 as an interpretive park ranger; hopscotched through the ranks of interpretation over the course of 25 years in a variety of roles, always focusing on visitor services and education as the path to saving the world. She has a master’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management and a bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism.Refund Policy:Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the course are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days in advance are not eligible for a refund.Our programs proceed rain or shine, and participants should be prepared for inclement weather. However, should we decide to cancel a program due to unsafe weather or emergency conditions, we will notify participants by email and automatically issue full refunds. Conservancy members get 10% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email! Limit 2 per membership.Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here: <a href="https://rmconservancy.org/join-or-give/join/" title="https://rmconservancy.org/join-or-give/join/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Conservancy Membership</a>If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at education@RMConservancy.org or by phone at 970-586-3262.

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Art & Stories of Rocky Mountain National Park: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour

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Art & Stories of Rocky Mountain National Park: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour

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