The park's east slopes is the hotspot for winter day hiking , while look to the high country for mountaineering. Three campgrounds are open all year Longs Peak, Timber Creek, and Moraine Park. Longs Peak and Timber Creek campgrounds are not plowed once the snows begin, so you have to carry supplies to your campsite. None of the campgrounds has water in winter. If you are going into the backcountry overnight, you will need a backcountry permit, available at park headquarters or the Kawuneeche Visitor Center.
Some areas are closed to overnight camping and the danger of avalanches frequently exists.
Read up on winter weather conditions , and plan your trip carefully, checking with park rangers for the latest information on the areas in which you plan to travel. Moderate to deep snow fills most high valleys from December into May, and skiable spring snow covers much of the tundra. The snow is usually a dry powder through March, and many winter days are clear. As in summer hiking, Bear Lake is the point of departure for many winter trips, short or long. Rangers are often on duty on weekends to provide assistance.