The highest paved through road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, leads visitors through spectacular high-alpine terrain, heading above treeline to an elevation of 12,000 feet and back down again while winding through Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to providing unique access to wildlife spotting, scenic landscapes, and exploration opportunities, Trail Ridge Road is a connecting byway between two of Colorado’s popular mountain towns — Estes Park and Grand Lake. The road is 48 miles long and takes 1.5-2 hours to drive if you go straight through — but we recommend you stop, smell the pine trees, search for pika, and make a day of it.

When to Go

Weather above 12,000 ft can be exciting…and unpredictable. Trail Ridge Road is typically open from Memorial Day to mid-to-late October, and we recommend June through September for the most enjoyable conditions. It is also not uncommon for inclement weather to close the road at times during its open season, so we suggeest calling ahead to make sure it’s open.

There is a dedicated phone line (970-586-1222) for Trail Ridge Road status that is updated every time the status (open/closed) changes. During the season, this area of the park is a popular destination; it’s best to head up early or late to miss the 9:00-5:00 crowd. 

Logistics

These are a few items to consider before you hit the road:

First, all travel on Trail Ridge Road is within Rocky Mountain National park which requires a timed-entry reservation between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm that must be booked in advance.

Second, there is an entry fee to enter the park. We recommend an America the Beautiful Pass which gives access to all national parks and monuments for 12 months for $80, rather than paying one-time entry fees.  

Third, amenities are limited, so fuel up with gas and snacks before heading into the park. For all of us who are used to constant connectivity, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a little break—you’ll have service at lower elevations, but very little, if any, above treeline.  

For RVs, this is generally an uncomplicated drive —the road is wide, well-developed, well-maintained, and there are plenty of pull-offs along the way to enjoy the views or allow other vehicles to pass.

Wildlife Viewing

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife both big and small. It is common to spot large herds of elk bedded down in the park’s sprawling meadows, flocks of turkeys along roadsides, big horn sheep scaling cliffs, moose grazing along ponds, and coyotes prowling amongst them all. Mountain lions are some of the more elusive residents and pikas are some of the smallest – and cutest! As always, whatever the size or cuteness level, all wild animals should be appreciated from a safe distance. 

Recommended Stops along Trail Ridge Road

Pick Up Activity Booklets for Your Junior Rangers and a Guide Booklet for Yourself

There are visitor centers as you head to Trail Ridge Road from either direction which will provide activity booklets to help teach children fun facts about the park as you explore. Once the activities are completed, stop at one of the visitor centers so any aspiring Junior Rangers in the bunch can be sworn in. It’s worth the stop for all budding explorers, scientists, and nature lovers.

While at the visitor center, we recommend picking up a guide booklet for yourself as well. The Guide to Trail Ridge Road is published by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and provides detailed information about 12 interesting stops along the way.

The Overlooks Are Worth a Look

There are two well-developed overlooks with large parking lots on Trail Ridge Road — the Many Parks Curve and Rainbow Curve. Each highlight different spectacular views of the area and are worth a stop. 

The Tundra Communities Trail

*A Tracks & Trails Favorite* We love this scenic trail that lets you feel like you’re walking on top of the world. It leads you over high-alpine tundra to the unique Mushroom Rocks formation on a 1.2 mile route. The tundra is a fragile ecosystem, please make sure to stay on the developed path.  

The Ute Trail Hike or Alpine Ridge Trail

Ute Trail is an 8 mile out-and-back hike that would be relatively moderate except for the fact that it starts at nearly 12,000 feet, so you will notice the impacts of the thinner air (less oxygen) at high elevation immediately. As you might guess, you’ll find this trailhead near the top of Trail Ridge Road just across from the Alpine Visitor Center. It takes you to spectacular vista points along the way to its ultimate destination—Milner Pass. There is also a shorter version of this hike — the Alpine Ridge Trail — which is a route along just the first .6 miles of the Ute Trail.

The Roaring River

If anyone in your group has been bit by the fly fishing bug, you’ll want to plan a stop on the Roaring River in the Northern part of the park. Enjoy a beautiful hike up to the river from the Lawn Lake Trailhead. Here you can find the state’s rare, native Greenback Cutthroat Trout. All fishing is catch and release and requires a valid state fishing license for those over the age of 16.

Highlights of the Ends

Bookended by the historic and charming towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, you have wonderful places to start and finish the drive. Whichever direction you choose to travel, we recommend spending time on both ends.

Estes Park

Just 70 miles northwest of Denver, Estes Park feels worlds away. Surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks and bisected by the Big Thompson River, herds of elk and tourists alike love to wander the quaint downtown and well-manicured parks. During the rut, in fall, you can hear elk bugling right in town. 

T&T Travel Tip No visit to Estes Park would be complete without a stop in the Stanley Hotel, the famous setting for Steven King’s movie, The Shining. Stop in the historic hotel bar for a fancy cocktail, and if you’re feeling really adventurous, try an order of the Rocky Mountain “oysters”.

Grand Lake

The town of Grand Lake is situated next to its namesake, Grand Lake—the deepest natural lake in the state of Colorado with a depth of nearly 400 feet. This town perfectly blends mountain charm and laid-back lake style. Explore the vibrant creative district and quaint shopping areas, or venture out onto one of the many hiking trails in the area. Nearby Shadow Lake and Granby Lakes also offer endless opportunities for water recreation. 

T&T Travel Tip If the weather is nice, there’s nothing quite like a beach day beneath the mountains. Stroll down to Gene Stover Lake Front Park in town, bring a picnic to enjoy, and take a refreshing dip in the sandy swim area.