Visit
Location & getting here
The Mountain Research Station is located approximately 26 miles west of Boulder, Colorado, off the Peak to Peak Highway (highway 72), about 7 miles north of Nederland and 5 miles south of Ward. Our campus sits in a montane forest at about 9,500 ft (2900 m) elevation. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
818 County Road 116
Nederland, CO 80466
Phone: 303-492-8842
Email: mrs@colorado.edu
Latitude: 40°1'53.93"N
Longitude: 105°31'59.91"W
Directions
To get specific directions from your location to the MRS, see the upper left of the Google map below and click the directions icon (blue diamond with a white right arrow) or "Open in maps":
Drive times
Denver International Airport – 90 min
Boulder - 45 minutes
Nederland – 15 minutes
RTD bus service
Service is available throughout Denver and Boulder and shuttles are available from Denver International Airport to most metropolitan areas. RTD services the town of Nederland, but not MRS.
Map of our campus central area
Day visitors are welcome in the areas shown in RED. Evening seminar visitors are also welcome in the areas shown in PURPLE. Unless you need accessible parking for the seminar, please park in the main lots (red) and walk uphill on the road past the Dining Hall to the Megaron building. See also: Map of interpretive trails 1, 2, & 3.
Parking
The main parking area is located at the entrance to the station near the Marr Lab. No parking permits are required. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Drive around the station only when necessary to minimize dust and reduce wear and tear on roads. Please walk or bike on campus when you can.
Guided walks
Join us for naturalist-led excursions throughout the summer. Walks start at 10:00 am on select Saturdays, beginning in May. Each walk runs ~2 hours and has space for 20 people. You must sign up to reserve your spot and additional details will be emailed to you one week prior to your walk.
Join us for a guided walk around the MRS campus, with a focus on spring as a season of transition in the subalpine. We will learn about the types of trees that make up the forest on campus, and the creatures utilizing these habitats.
Join Dr. Scott Taylor for a tour of the blooming orchids that are a symbol of early summer in the subalpine. There is a remarkable diversity of orchids at the MRS, including favorites such as the spotted coralroot and fairy slippers!
From flowers to birds, join Dr. Scott Taylor and explore Colorado's mountains in the summer time.
Join Ph.D. student Candice Perrotta on a fungi foray in the subalpine forest. Explore seasonal wetlands and learn about the mushrooms of the Colorado mountains.
Trails & nature
Discover Colorado’s montane and alpine environments through the Mountain Research Station’s interpretive trails, forests, and field experiences. Wander among wildflowers, wildlife, and towering trees while exploring the ecology and natural history of the Rockies. Whether you are visiting with family, a school group, or on your own, the station offers welcoming ways to connect with nature, research, and discovery.
Natural history display (Marr Lab)
We will be renovating the lobby in the Marr Lab later in 2026 with information about the natural history of the area, our research, and the station's history. Displays will include a large 3D topographic map. Translation of the text to Spanish will be available on our website. You will also be able to explore our current research projects on an iPad kiosk. This renovation project is in collaboration with the CU Boulder Museum of Natural History.
Columbine bookshop (Marr Lab)
A small shop is located just off the lobby of the Marr Lab. Items like books, T-shirts, hoodies, and hats are available for purchase. The shop is open upon request during administrative hours between 8-4 (M-F). Cash or check only.
Safety & alcohol/drug policy
NO open fires
No open fires are allowed (candles, fire pits, fire pans, charcoal grills, etc). No use of personal propane grills or camp stoves is permitted.
NO smoking
Smoking products of any sort, including but not limited to, tobacco, cloves, or marijuana or vaporizers of any kind are prohibited both indoors and outdoors.
NO pets
Although we love them, pets are not permitted. In particular, dogs can increase the risk of unsafe encounters with large wildlife and may put both people and themselves in jeopardy.
NO camping
No camping is allowed for visitors, users, or guests anywhere within the Mountain Research Station, its property, or the adjacent Forest Service Research Area.
NO unauthorized firearms
Unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or illegal weapons anywhere within the Mountain Research Station campus is prohibited.
Please view our safety page prior to your day visit or overnight stay. Learn about emergencies, environmental hazards, wildlife, inclusive & safe environment, and safety tasks for researchers.
Alcohol & drug policy
All state and federal laws regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol or controlled substances apply to the Mountain Research Station.
Alcohol is not to be present or consumed in public areas or events (labs, classrooms) without proper approval from the University of Colorado. See more info at Dining > Alcohol at MRS events.
The University of Colorado is a “drug free workplace.” Possession, sale and/or use of illegal drugs is prohibited. University policy prohibits the use of marijuana on the CU-Mountain Research Station campus.
MRS Community Agreement
We’re excited to host you and we want to make sure that you are safe and comfortable and feel welcome during your stay.
The Mountain Research Station (MRS) is a multi-user facility that, at any one time, hosts field course students, workshop participants, researchers, and members of the public. The diversity of this community is one of our strengths as a field station and it is a priority that every station resident and user feels welcome in our community.
Please help us build a respectful community by viewing our creed, Code of Conduct, reporting process, support resources, consequences for violators, and policies for discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
Want to see more visitor info?
From research and coursework to public visits, there are many ways to engage at the Mountain Research Station.
Please review our visitor pages to help you plan ahead and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience.