National Public Lands Day bridge construction at Rocky Mountain National Park
National Public Lands Day: build log foot bridges over Bowen Creek on RMNP's Continental Divide Trail with Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Strenuous, 18+.
Why we picked this
You'll actually build something that stays — three log foot bridges over Bowen Creek on the Continental Divide Trail. This is the most physically demanding stewardship day the conservancy runs; come ready to dig and haul timber.
For National Public Lands Day, volunteers help construct three small log foot bridges over Bowen Creek on the Continental Divide Trail, improving hiking conditions on Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side. Tasks include moving timber, removing bark, digging footings, and securing bridge sections with hand tools — shovels, pulaskis, mattocks, rock bars, and draw knives.
This is highly strenuous work: digging, peeling logs, and carrying heavy materials over irregular ground, plus a half-mile walk in from the trailhead. Meet at the outdoor plaza at Kawuneeche Visitor Center, 16018 U.S. 34, Grand Lake, then carpool roughly 4.6 miles to the work site.
Bring layered clothing, rain gear, sun protection, long sleeves and pants, sturdy closed-toe boots, lunch, snacks, two-plus liters of water, work gloves, safety glasses, and a day pack. Advance registration is required. Open to volunteers 18 and up.