An educator provides commentary about area sights. Transportation is via a 14-passenger minibus or 12-passenger van fees include lunch and admission to the park. Old Fall River Road Trip: An Educational Adventure by Bus (July-Sept.) winds all along the historic road to the Alpine Visitor Center, with a return trip on Trail Ridge Road. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute offers a guided tour of Old Fall River Road. Continue driving back to Deer Ridge Junction (32.1 mi/52 km) and then along Highway 36 to your starting point. Two other superb overlook areas still lie ahead: Rainbow Curve (24.1 mi/39 km) and Many Parks Curve (28.1 mi/45 km). Along the way, take in the Lava Cliffs (17.2 mi/28 km), Rock Cut (19.2 mi/31 km), and the Forest Canyon Overlook (21.3 mi/34 km). Then exit the parking lot and head east on Trail Ridge Road.
Park if you can and take a half hour to view the exhibits in the visitor center.
#OPEN ROADS TO ESTES PARK FULL#
You’ll get your first look at the back of the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store at 12.1 mi (19.5 km) then at 13.9 mi (22.4 km), Fall River Pass comes into full view.Īt 15 mi (24 km) into the drive, Old Fall River Road meets with the Alpine Visitor Center parking lot at 11,796 feet (3,595 meters) elevation. At 10 mi (16.1 km), pass by gabions-rows of cages of rocks that help protect the road from landslides. Around 8 mi (12.9 km), note the many large boulders alongside Old Fall River Road these are called glacial erratics. The next 9 mi (14.5 km) offer great views, a fun driving experience (if your idea of fun is hairpin turns and narrow roads!), and at the height of summer, a chance to observe some beautiful wildflowers just beyond your bumpers.Īt 7.7 mi (12.4 km) into the tour, get out of your car and walk a short distance down to beautiful Chasm Falls. The Alluvial Fan will soon be on your right (5.4 mi/8.7 km), and it is possible to get a good look at this natural feature without leaving your car.Īt 6.2 mi (10 km), you will reach the historic one-way section of Old Fall River Road. Take a left at the sign for Old Fall River Road (4.8 mi/7.7 km) and head west along Endovalley Road. At Deer Ridge Junction, continue north on Highway 34, passing Horseshoe Park (4.7 mi/7.6 km)). Along this stretch of road, you’ll have great views of Longs Peak and many other mountain peaks to your south. To start, depart from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station and drive 3.1 mi (5 km) northwest on Highway 36. Vehicles over 25 feet (8 meters) long are not allowed on Old Fall River Road. With no stops, the drive will take approximately 1.5 hours with stops, it can take a half-day. During summer and fall, both Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road are open. This approximately 35-mi (56-km) loop drive travels through the montane, subalpine, and tundra ecosystems. Plan a scenic “Sunday drive” along Old Fall River Road on any summer day to explore the biodiversity of Rocky Mountain National Park. 4:30 p.m.įor more scenic drives and scenic byways in Colorado, check out Ute Pass, Trough Road, Corona / Rollins Pass, Stillwater Pass and Colorado River Headwater's Scenic and Historic Byway.Take a Scenic Drive Along Old Fall River Roadīy Moon Rocky Mountain National Park author Erin English
(Drivers should note that Trail Ridge Road is closed during the winter.)ĭay-long auto trips take you through Rocky Mountain National Park over the Continental Divide into Estes Park or Grand Lake. Maps and Descriptive tapes are available at the The Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park on Highway 34 just north of Grand Lake. Stop at the Visitor Center for maps, books, and camping and hiking information. Contact the Kawuneeche Visitors Center at 97. Trail Ridge is the highest road in the US that is paved for its entire length much of the drive is above the tree line, and sightings of marmots, bighorn sheep, and moose are common. The Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway (US Highway 34) runs through Rocky Mountain National Park, world-famous for the sweeping vistas of the crags and valleys that characterize this part of the Rockies. This 1.5 to 2-hour scenic drive from Winter Park to Estes Park features the magnificent scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park and great viewing areas for elk and other wildlife.
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