The Hidden Valley snow play area in Rocky Mountain National Park is a perfect spot for kids to play in all seasons. If snow is on the ground bring your sled. In warmer weather, enjoy playing alongside a stream. 

The Hidden Valley snow play area in Rocky Mountain National Park is a great stop for kids no matter the season. The valley has a large parking lot plowed in winter, all-season bathrooms, and a small ranger station with explorer packs for kids you can borrow for your visit. 

The sledding hill is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily when conditions are right. 

If you want to sled you will need to bring along your own equipment. Sleds with metal runners are not allowed. You can rent sleds in town from Estes Park Mountain Shop. This is not a great place for tubes or really young sledders as there are trees on one side of the run and a stream on the other. (You need to be competent in your sledding skills to play here.) 

The wide-open valley is a great place to play in any season. In the winter you can build snowmen, build snow forts or hold an all-out snowball fight here. In the warmer months, the wide stream is safe to play near and large trees and open paths make this a great place for kids to explore. 

In 1941 this area was an actual ski slope and lodge, it had a tow rope and runs, but in 1992, after much debate about a business inside a national park, it was closed and partially dismantled. However, some recreational trails have been developed leaving from the Hidden Valley area going about two miles into the terrain. Snowboarders and backcountry skiers (with skins)may walk up the old ski runs and snowboard at their own risk. The trails in this area are also perfect for snowshoeing.