Colorado Road Trips

Trail Ridge Road

Whether you are planning to venture out on a road trip from Grand County or heading to the area, Trail Ridge Road is the perfect route for those seeking spectacular views, wildlife sightings and the chance to climb to the top of the world and come eye-to-eye with the peaks they admire from below.

The two-lane mountain road runs through Rocky Mountain National Park and covers a 48-mile stretch of pure mountain scenery. The road connects Estes Park on the east side of the park and Grand Lake on the west side. Whether you begin your drive on Trail Ridge Road in Estes Park or Grand Lake, you will travel 4,000 feet in elevation in a matter of minutes.

Trail Ridge Road twists and turns through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Forest, to the top of the Continental Divide at 10,120 feet elevation and continues on to its highest point at 12,182 feet elevation. Milner Pass is a wonderful place to stop along Trail Ridge Road to take photographs of the sign marking the Continental Divide – where the rivers headwaters are separated east from west.

There are several pullouts along the road to stop and soak in the breathtaking views and wildlife sightings – elk, marmots, ptarmigans and bighorn sheep are common sightings. From heavily wooded forests dotted with streams of brilliant aspens and 11-miles of true mountain tundra the journey on Trail Ridge Road provides all the different types of mountain scenery Colorado has to offer.

The Alpine Center is a wonderful rest stop located at the top of Trial Ridge Road that gives you the chance to get out and stretch your legs. Take one of the walkways to an even higher location for unrivaled mountain views and for even more wildlife sightings follow the old Ute trail along the tundra, which often leads you to elk herds. The Alpine Center is situated above most light pollution making it an excellent location for star gazing during the evening hours. Be sure to dress warm though, the higher altitude and evening hours cause the temperature to drop.

Trail Ridge Road is typically only open from Memorial Day weekend to late September or early October depending on the snowfall. If you are able to make it to the area during autumn (September) you will witness the mountain ablaze with rivers of gold, red and orange aspen leaves streaming through the heavy evergreen forests. It is a sight like none other!

Getting to Trail Ridge Road

To get to Trail Ridge Road from Denver, head North on I-25 and take US-36 W towards Boulder to Estes Park. From there you will head west on Hwy 34 to Trail Ridge Road.

Want to make it overnight road trip? Check out lodging in Grand County.