Trail Ridge Road
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Where is Trail Ridge Road?
Many travelers to Colorado want to know "Where is Trail Ridge Road?"
Trail Ridge Road is a paved, 48 mile long scenic highway which connects the Rocky Mountain National Park entrances in Grand Lake on the west and Estes Park to the east.
It features switchbacks and hairpin curves, and rises to a height of 12,183 feet above sea level. The road is open seasonally in non-winter months.
Leaving from either side of the park, Trail Ridge Road climbs 4,000 feet in a matter of minutes. Numerous pull-outs and vistas are provided for visitors. Located along the road are over 300 miles of hiking trails, lakes and a variety of wildlife.
The road, numbered as U.S. Highway 34, is the highest continuously paved highway in the United States.
It provides visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their vehicle.
| Trail Ridge Road crossing the tundra, above the tree line, in Rocky Mountain National Park |
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Scenes Along Trail Ridge Road
Near the peak of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park ... Dangerous snowfields ahead -
Keep off steep slopes 
Steep, sharp curves and tall snow poles on Trail Ridge Road before the start of winter
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Alpine Visitor Center |
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| The Alpine Visitor Center is located near the summit of the road at 11,796 feet. It features a snack shop, bookstore, gift shop and lovely views of the Rocky Mountains. Open only when the Trail Ridge Road is open, usually from late May until the end of October. | |
2 miles above sea level on Trail Ridge Road |
| View from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road with Sheep Lakes in the center distance (Staff Photo - May 2021) |
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Sign at Horseshoe Park |
Trail Ridge closed at Rainbow Curve, May 2021 |
Weather Along Trail Ridge Road
The high country of Rocky Mountain National Park is noted for extreme weather patterns, which can rapidly change.
Higher elevation areas within the park receive twice as much precipitation as lower elevation areas, generally in the form of deep winter snowfall. Below 9,400 feet, temperatures are often moderate, although nighttime temperatures are cool. Spring weather is subject to unpredictable changes in temperature and precipitation, with potential for snow along trails through May.
On the upper reaches of Trail Ridge Road it is typically windy and 20 to 30 degrees colder than Estes Park or Grand Lake.
Visit the Rocky Mountain NP Website - Weather for current and forecasted weather conditions in the park.
WARNING! Be prepared for rapidly changing weather and driving conditions along Trail Ridge Road |
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Snow, and blue skies, along Trail Ridge Road |
Autumn colors on Trail Ridge |
Interactive Map of the Trail Ridge Road area in Colorado
Map of Trail Ridge Road, RMNP Visitor Centers, Trailheads and Campgrounds
| Click on the map below for a full size image from the National Park Service (NPS) website |
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Location and Access to Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), located adjacent to Estes Park and about 70 miles northwest of Denver, spans 415 square miles of spectacular mountain environments. The Continental Divide runs northwest to southeast through the center of the park atop high peaks.
 Trail Ridge Road, U.S. 34, in Rocky Mountain NP as seen on our GPS display |
Park access is via entrances at Estes Park on the east side of the park: the Fall River Entrance Station on U.S. Highway 34 and the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on U.S. 36.
The Grand Lake Entrance Station is located on the west side of the park via U.S. Highway 34.
The Park offers five visitor centers, and is one of the world's most popular natural attractions, with attendance exceeding 4.5 million visitors a year.
More About Rocky Mountain National Park
Nearly one-third of the park is above treeline. The park includes 72 named peaks above 12,000 feet. The Rocky Mountain National Park Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915, establishing the park boundaries and protecting the area for future generations.
Rocky Mountain National Park is the fourth most visited national park in the country.
For more information about RMNP, visit the Rocky Mountain National Park official website at the National Park Service or phone 970.586.1206 for general park questions.
For recorded Trail Ridge Road status, phone 970.586.1222.
Also, view the Rocky Mountain NP Web Cams for current images of entrances and other areas within the park.
Lodging Options Near Trail Ridge RoadPark campgrounds book well in advance, so reservations are encouraged as early as possible before your trip. Hotels and vacation rentals are available on the east side of the park in the Estes Park area, and on the west side at Grand Lake. |
Lodging in Estes Park along the Fall River |
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