Scenic drive
Trail Ridge Road at Alpine Visitor Center
Estes Park, Colorado
The highest continuous paved road in the US, crossing the Continental Divide above 12,000 ft.
- Price
- US$30 per vehicle national park entry (timed entry reservations may apply in summer, check NPS)
- Booking
- Best to book
- Time to allow
- 3 hours
Trail Ridge Road climbs from Estes Park over the roof of Rocky Mountain National Park, with long stretches above the treeline. The Alpine Visitor Center is the high point to stop for a short, steep walk up to the ridge and a hot drink. Elk, marmots and pika are all common up here.
Good to know
- Seasonal: usually closed from mid-October to late May for snow
- Go early morning for fewer cars and more wildlife
- It gets cold and windy even in July, bring a jacket
- Best time
- Early morning in July or August
- Open
- Late May to mid October
- Getting there
- Paved, steady climbs and switchbacks, fine for campervans
- Vehicles
- Campervans fine
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
Facilities
- Picnic tables
- Rubbish bins
- Toilets
Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.
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