Trail ridge road rocky mountain national park 2020 all. Watch the trees disappear once the road passes timberline and look for milner pass, where the road crosses the continental divide. Closed for the season call 9705861222 anytime for up to date road status, especially if weather threatens. Behind is old fall river road, that winding old route that offers travelers a taste of auto travel in days gone by and a look at rocky mountain s nature closeup. It is the highest continuous motorway in the united states, with more than eight miles lying above 11,000 and a maximum elevation of 12,183. Trail ridge road attractions rocky mountain national park. The alpine visitor center at the top of trail ridge road and old fall river road features extraordinary views of alpine tundra and displays, a bookstore, an adjacent gift shop and snack bar. This will take you through the entire park to the community of grand lake, colorado, where trail ridge road comes to an end. Highway 34 that traverses rocky mountain national park from estes park, colorado in the east to grand lake, colorado in the west. Ahead lie the wonders of trail ridge road, which leads travelers east to estes park or southwest to grand lake. Ute and arapaho people subsequently hunted and camped in the area. Hotels near trail ridge road, rocky mountain national park on tripadvisor.
Heres a lumpy ridge trail map 100 kb, showing the popular trail to gem lake and others accessed from outside the main boundaries of rocky mountain national park in estes park. Trail ridge road spans from the east entrance of the park, across 48 miles of the parks beautiful rocky mountain landscapes, to the parks west entrance in grand lake. It follows a route traveled long ago by indian hunters who came for the abundant game. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park, co, united. Trail ridge road, colorado rocky mountain national park.
Historically, skiing has played a big part at rmnp because of hidden valley, a ski area that operated inside the park from 1936 to 1992. The road stretches 77 km 48 mi east to west through the scenic rocky mountain national forest, with 17. Wildlife at rocky mountain national park rocky mountain national park is bursting with wildlife activity, from mountain. Looking for a great trail in rocky mountain national park, colorado. Rocky mountain national park scenic loop trail ridge road. With roundtrip transportation from downtown denver included, you dont have to worry about driving or navigating as you gaze upon snowcapped mountain peaks, gorgeous glacial lakes, and likely plenty of highalpine wildlife. Nov 28, 2017 trail ridge road, passing through rocky mountain national park between the towns of estes park and grand lake, is one of the best ways to see the continental divide as it cuts through colorado. Jul, 2015 also known as trail ridge road beaver meadow national scenic byway, it traverses rocky mountain national park from estes park, colorado in the east to grand lake, colorado in the west. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park closes due. The weather can rapidly change in rocky mountain national park and closures can happen suddenly, even in the summer. Rocky mountain national park and trail ridge road youtube. Trail ridge road is a well maintained highway through rmnp between estes park and grand lake. This fourhour drive will take you from denver to estes park, through rocky mountain national park on the magnificent trail ridge road and then through grand lake, granby and fraser to winter park, colorados favorite playground.
It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make, predicted horace albright, director of the national park service, in 1931 during the roads construction. Region 1 trails are on the west side of the continental divide. Located on the west side of rocky mountain national park onehalf mile from the grand lake entrance station, harbison meadow in the kawuneeche valley teems with wildlife and wildflowers. Rocky mountain national park trail ridge road many. Hikes listed by location estes park, bear lake, glacier gorge, trail ridge road, grand lake, longs peak and wild basin. Then we drove up to the highest point on the road at 12,183 feet before driving down to the beaver meadows visitor center and exiting the park near.
Settlers began arriving in the mid1800s, displacing the. Trail ridge road provides spectacular view of the majestic scenery of rocky. This basic map illustrates how rocky mountain national park is divided into the west side and the east side, joined by trail ridge road which is closed in the winter. Trail ridge road scenic byway one of colorados most popular roads, in rocky mountain national park, this 48mile byway in northcentral colorado is. The national park service does offer several feefree days and weekends throughout the year, when your entrance fee will be waived but you still have to pay for camping. Start by entering rocky mountain national park through estes park, colorado. Note trail ridge road, a seasonal summer road, connects estes park, the east gateway town, with grand lake, the west gateway town. Eventually, all of the major canyons in and around rocky mountain national park were filled with tongues of ice, some to a depth of 1,500 feet.
Simply relax and take in the spectacular scenery on this fullday tour of worldfamous rocky mountain national park. Completed in 1933, trail ridge road links estes park and grand lake, winding past countless 12,000foot peaks, highalpine tundra, and some of rocky mountain national parks best views. Trail ridge road, colorado rocky mountains alltrips. This is a rocky mountain backcountry campsite map 2. Completed in 1933, trail ridge road spans the park from east to west, and links the towns of estes park and grand lake, colo. Driving trail ridge road rocky mountain national park.
When is trail ridge road open in rocky mountain park. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park is one of. Trail ridge road, passing through rocky mountain national park between the towns of estes park and grand lake, is one of the best ways to see the continental divide as it cuts through colorado. Trail ridge road spans from the east entrance of the park, across 48 miles of the park s beautiful rocky mountain landscapes, to the park s west entrance in grand lake. Aug 15, 2019 if you thought the journey to rocky mountain national park was beautiful, just wait until you experience trail ridge road. Trail ridge road scenic byway map colorado vacation. Book your tickets online for trail ridge road, rocky mountain national park. Visit the colorado department of transportation for road conditions outside the park. The never summer mountains look down on the headwaters of the colorado river in this view of the kawuneeche valley. Trail ridge road spans the park and connects estes park on the east side to the town of grand lake on the western slope.
Trail ridge road estes park rocky mountain national park. Photo provided by rocky mountain national park the opening of trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park. Highway 34 that traverses rocky mountain national park from estes park, colorado in the east to grand lake. Trail ridge road, shown here on may 28, opened wednesday june 5 at noon. Rocky mountain national park has the highest paved roads in any national park in the united states, with trail ridge road cresting at 12,183 feet. During that time, the cold climate allowed glaciers to form in mountain recesses high above. Rocky mountain national parks trail ridge road closed for. Wildlife at rocky mountain national park rocky mountain national park is bursting with wildlife activity, from mountain peaks to the rivers and valleys. The highest continual highway in the united states, trail ridge road reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet.
Best trails in rocky mountain national park alltrails. The rocky mountain national park scenic loop is 164 miles of pure mountain adventure. Trail ridge road spans the park and connects estes park to the town of grand lake on the western slope. A collection of historic photos of trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park from the denver post library photo archive. Alpine visitor center in rocky mountain national park. Trail ridge road and driving in general rocky mountain national park forum. Long for whom longs peak was named, approached the rockies via the platte river. Learn more about hiking in rocky bear lake trail guide summer pdf 3. Click on the region where youd like to start exploring trails. Drive rocky mountain nps trail ridge road, park entrance road. Sep 11, 2019 cars drive along tundra curves in rocky mountain national park on aug. Guardrails limit views so trail ridge road does not have many. Trail ridge road designated as an all american road and state scenic byway makes rocky mountain national park backcountry skiing so accessible.
Trail ridge road, which is hwy 34 through rocky mountain national park, is closed for the season. Trail ridge road rocky mountain national park all you. Trailheads are located on the east side of trail ridge road, across from the visitor center, and from the parking lot. Much more than just a highway that connects the park from east to west, trail ridge road is an experience in itself. Jul 10, 2010 this drive begins at the rmnp gate on us 36, just outside estes park, colorado, and takes you over americas highest continuous paved road, trail ridge road. Trail ridge road estes park rocky mountain national. Photo provided by rocky mountain national park the opening of trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park, a. Rocky mountain national park map rocky mountain national park travel guide. We enjoyed our drive through rocky mountain national park starting at the southwest entrance, passing through kawuneeche valley and then proceeding up trail ridge road to the alpine visitor center. Trail ridge road historic images from rocky mountain. Be prepared for strong winds and rapid weather changes. Trail ridge road scenic byway one of colorados most popular roads, in rocky mountain national park, this 48mile byway in northcentral colorado is americas highest continuous highway it connects estes park and grand lake. We drove trail ridge rd from hwy 36 in rocky mountain national park.
This drive begins at the rmnp gate on us 36, just outside estes park, colorado, and takes you over americas highest continuous paved road, trail ridge road. Below is a list of hiking trails in rocky mountain national park based on difficulty rating, and ranked from easiest to hardest hikes. Drive trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park. Jun 05, 2019 trail ridge road, shown here on may 28, opened wednesday june 5 at noon. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park open for. Official rocky mountain national park map pdf my colorado.
Hiking in rocky mountain national park can be quite challenging, and hiking a trail above your fitness level can make for a less than enjoyable day while out on the trail. From all 48 miles the road stretches, youll have spectacular views of rocky mountain national park. Following trail ridge road upward for 1,000 feet changes the climate and vegetation similar to driving 600 miles north. It is open to many parks curve on east side and colorado river trailhead on west side. Trail ridge road scenic byway map colorado vacation directory. The history of rocky mountain national park began when paleoindians traveled along what is now trail ridge road to hunt and forage for food. The 10 closest hotels to trail ridge road tripadvisor. Its important to call the trail ridge road status line at 9705861222 to check the road conditions and possible closures before heading up. Rocky mountain national park hiking trails by region. Trail ridge road, rocky mountain national park s heavily traveled highway to the sky, inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it.
Rocky mountain national park vacation and travel information. Enjoy sweeping views of the lush colorado wilderness from the comfort of your own car along trail ridge road. Rocky mountain national park was home to a privately run ski area called hidden. Its the highest continuous paved road in the united states, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. The road is also known as trail ridge road beaver meadow national scenic byway.
This fourhour drive will take you from denver to estes park, through rocky mountain national park on the magnificent trail ridge road and then through grand. The road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly. For the most uptodate information on the status of trail ridge road, call 9705861222. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with the latest guidance from the centers for. Imo trail ridge road is nothing like driving up pikes peak or the drive between ouray and silverton. Directory of rocky mountain national park trails by location below is a directory of rocky mountain national park trails that have been grouped by general location within the park, such as trails near estes park, bear lake, glacier gorge, trail ridge road, grand lake, longs peak or wild basin. Driving west on the trail ridge road through rocky mountain national park. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park was dubbed the highway to the sky by its builders for good reason. Known appropriately as the highway to the sky, trail ridge road crosses the continental divide at a whopping 12,183 feet.
Near the top of trail ridge road hwy 34 at the alpine visitor center. Cycling route in rocky mountain national park, co, united states, created on 08282009 awesome climb to the top of some of the highest roads in rocky mountain national park. Driving west on the trail ridge road through rocky mountain national park in colorado august 2014. Take us highway 36 from estes park, colorado, to deer ridge junction inside rocky mountain national park where highways 36 and 34 meet. A simple overview map of rocky mountain national park. Driving the trail ridge road through rocky mountain. After acquiring a map start your ascent on trail ridge rd the road is closed in winter. Continue on us highway 34, which is trail ridge road. Its the highest continuously paved road in the united states, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. Trail ridge road and driving in general rocky mountain. Trail ridge road, which opened in 1920, connects estes park on the. Old fall river road in rocky mountain national park. Nov 26, 2019 download rocky mountain national park map pdf. If you thought the journey to rocky mountain national park was beautiful, just wait until you experience trail ridge road.
The road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly recommended. Click on the region where youd like to start or choose a hike by category from the list of links at the left. It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make, predicted horace albright, director of the national park service, in 1931 during the road s construction. Trail ridge road, rocky mountain national park time lapse. Enjoy this cbs news 4 report on beautiful rocky mountain national park and trail ridge road. Trail ridge road provides spectacular view of the majestic scenery of rocky mountain national park. Jul 11, 2016 trail ridge road, rocky mountain national parks heavily traveled highway to the sky, inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it. Old fall river road rocky mountain national park u. This motor nature trail, constructed in 1921, was the first auto route in rocky mountain national park offering access to the park s high country and was the first route over the continental divide. If this is your first visit to rocky mountain national park, start with one of the most scenic drives in the country. It slices through the heart of rocky mountain national park, entering a world of rare alpine beauty. Trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park open for the. Drive trail ridge road in rocky mountain national park my. Soaring to an elevation of 12,183 feet, trail ridge road seems to leave the earth behind.