![]() During this time visitors are free to walk or ski on the road. ![]() The road is normally closed at Many Parks Curve on the east and the Colorado River Trail in the west. Winter at Forest Canyon OverlookĪs a result, Trail Ridge Road closes at some point in mid-October, usually after the first significant snowfall. Also, the costs of such a consistent plowing operation would be significant. This is not a place you would want to get stuck or have your vehicle break down. It also would be a very dangerous road to drive in those high winds and blowing snow, as there are many steep drops along the way. As a result, any snow plowed off the road fills right back in behind the plow. The winds above tree line are often consistently over 50mph and can be more than 100mph. Can’t they simply send snowplows up each time it snows? The main challenge with this idea is that it doesn’t consider the high winds that batter this area for months on end. Many people wonder why Trail Ridge Road must close. Approaching Milner Pass from the west on Trail Ridge Road Yet despite being a vital link between these communities this road is closed for much of the year. It provides an important connection between the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake and the surrounding areas. What this means is that it is not simply a road that goes to the top of a mountain and ends, but rather it is a highway connecting different parts of the state. Visit for a full, mile-by-mile description of the drive, including important tips for drivers.Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States. Crushed growth takes many decades to heal. Note about alpine tundra: This is an extremely fragile ecosystem. Many elk, deer and bighorn sheep move to the high country in the summer and can sometimes be seen from the deck of the Visitor Center. It can be pretty cool and windy at this altitude, so you’ll want to bring a jacket along just in case. The Alpine Visitor Center has rest rooms, a restaurant and a gift shop. Just west of the high point is Fall River Pass, elevation 11,796 feet. There are lots of trails and short hikes that start off of Trail Ridge Road. It reaches a high point, then crosses the Continental Divide before winding its way down to the town of Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road travels through forests, above tree line,and over the alpine tundra. City lights from Fort Collins to Denver are visible. The night time view from Rainbow Curve is spectacular. The many turnouts along Trail Ridge Road provide scenic overlooks and tremendous photographic opportunities, day or night. If you’re headed to Bear Lake, come prepared with 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive and proper snow tires because road conditions can change rapidly at these higher elevations. On the east side of the Park, Trail Ridge Road is plowed to get to Hidden Valley for tubing and sledding. It’s usually October before the Park Service gives up fighting the snow and turns the road back to Mother Nature for the winter. Temporary closings to the Alpine region occasionally occur in early June or late fall because of snow. A Timed Entry Permit is required to drive over Trail Ridge Road between 9am and 2pm from May 26 to Oct 22, 2023. It is open to vehicle traffic from around Memorial Day weekend until the Park Service closes it in the fall. It’s the highest continuously paved road in the United States, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. ![]() Trail Ridge Road spans the Park and connects Estes Park to the town of Grand Lake on the western slope. Trail Ridge Road in fall: Latest winter closure was Dec.Call 97 anytime for up to date road status, especially if weather threatens.
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