Rocky Mountain NP's Trail Ridge Road

Estes Park, CO 80517
4.9
16 Reviews
Rocky Mountain NP's Trail Ridge Road
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Details

Distance
39.06 miles
Elevation Gain
4715 ft
Route Type
Point-to-Point

Features

Forest
Wildlife
Scenic
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About this place

Added by Joel Bear

Take in breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains on one of the two roads in CO that allows you to drive up to the peaks. This is a photographer's paradise, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Start by entering Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park, Colorado. After acquiring a map start your ascent on Trail Ridge Rd (the road is closed in winter). The Road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly recommended.

As you wind up the switch backs, the tree line will start to thin and you will come upon an overlook called Medicine Bow Curve which is an amazing view of the valley in the National Park. Its amazing place to stop and watch the clouds roll over the valley and see the winding rivers cut through the terrain. Continue up the road and it will take you over the pass / ridge. The view is spectacular, with snow caped mountains and big clouds. If you go in early June the mountains can still be heavily covered in snow which is breathtaking to behold.

Continue driving up the road, it will take you through the mountain range and bring you out on the other side.We stayed up on the range till the sunset and then drove back down the way we came to Estes Park.Be aware of the snowmelt during the day that can rapidly turn to ice (or black ice) running over the winding road when the sun goes down and temperatures quickly drop below freezing.

This is a must see to any visitor and local in Colorado.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
Reviews
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Check-ins
Drew Thompson
4/30/2022
What a ride, great views
Awesome trail, plenty of viewpoints, and a great visitor center at the tallest drivable location in the park. Make sure to take plenty of ...
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John Clairmont
12/14/2020
Great Views...
...but we happened to go this past summer while the wildfires were raging nearby, so it wasn't as great as it could have been. ...
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Kyle C
12/13/2020
Fun Drive
This is a nice drive and an easy way for those to reach the alpine without hiking. It is the alpine so be ...
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Stephen Catalano
8/14/2020
One of the best drives out there
Drove slow, took way too many photos. Doesn't get better than a drive like this. Its a must-see if you're visiting RMNP.
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Lucas Bremer
Club
7/14/2020
Snow in July
The best part of this when I was child was getting to throw a snow ball on my birthday July 31st.
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Jenna Mulligan
7/1/2020
Occasionally scary drivers, but so much wildlife
Love this drive for the late summer snow patches, the big horned sheep, and the views coming down into the west side of the ...
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David Dean
7/21/2017
Scenic Supreme
Just a beautiful drive from start to finish that takes you through a few ecosystems and gives you great shots of the Rocky Mountains. ...
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Jordan + Jacki Bolt
6/26/2017
Amazing Views
Great views at every turn on this road. Takes you through nearly every element of the park. The change in altitude is no joke. ...
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Tava Hoag
2/8/2017
The drastic change in altitude is worth it...
Breathtaking, unbelievable, and invigorating. Views aside, simply driving this road is an adventure in itself. The weather can change as you ride to the ...
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Calvin Weibel
12/22/2016
Awesome
Awesome drive. Go in the evening or morning with a camera
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Grant Whitty
9/10/2016
Best in the autumn
I often drive down here from Fort Collins after class just to get away for a while. Great in late summer and early fall ...
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Lisa Groene
8/24/2016
So much to photograph!
Amazing views with lots of pull offs to take in the scenery. Had a good opportunity to see wildlife as well, including elk, ...
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Billy DiMirra
5/8/2016
Do it.
By far once of the most breath taking roads in the US. A must do for anyone visiting the park
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Haley Baker
4/30/2016
One of the easiest ways to experience the park
Trail Ridge Road is one of the coolest ways to experience a national park, as the highest paved road in the United States, it ...
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Jamie Fleck
1/19/2016
One of my favorite national parks!
I've been to many national parks in the U.S., and RMNP is one of my favorites. There are a lot of outdoor activities that ...
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Jason Hatfield
12/22/2015
RMNP is full of incredible hikes and photo opportunities. That being said, there are definitely prettier places in Colorado and if you travel ...
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