Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads of any national park in the United States, with Trail Ridge Road (Hwy 3) rising to 12, 183 feet above sea level. Old Fall River Road is open from July 4th to early October. If you're in the park during those months, this road is definitely worth the drive. It is the original park road and a 9-mile one-way road.
Driving down Fall River and then Trail Ridge, you'll get a full view of the park. Like it or not, Rocky Mountain National Park's scheduled entry reservation policy is now in effect. Gone are the summer days, when you could visit the park at the right time, and they may be gone forever if park officials decide to make this summer's “pilot program” permanent.
First of all, keep in mind that there are two types of reservations, and the times when they apply differ significantly. Reservations are required starting at 5 a. m. If you want access to the popular Bear Lake Road corridor.
Bear Lake Road offers access to many of the park's most popular destinations, including Glacier Basin, Sprague Lake, Bierstadt Lake, Glacier Gorge and Emerald Lake. After passing through the front door, another guard station will be set up on Bear Lake Road, where park rangers will verify that you have the proper reservation to continue. A Bear Lake reservation also allows access to the rest of the park. Continue driving north to Rocky Mountain National Park via Trial Ridge Road and keep an eye out for some great viewpoints along the way.
If you decide to drive all this picturesque pass to Estes Park, the trip will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Alternatively, you can stop along the way to take a walk for a few miles of the approximately 355 miles of hiking trails maintained in the park, turning around at any point to return to Grand Lake. Because RMNP is located at the top of a mountain range, it has another “city closer to the west side of the park”, it is the town of Grand Lake, a picturesque mountain lake with a small number of local amenities. When planning your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, knowing what you want to see and experience will help you determine when to visit this park.
Well, as a resident of a town outside Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and someone who has spent countless hours wandering around the park, I have personal experience in this and can give some tips on how and when you can travel all over Trail Ridge Road. From expansive mountain views to intricate flora that you have to look closely to find, there's almost limitless wonder in the park's 416 square miles. Rocky Mountain National Park, or commonly known as RMNP, is a staple in most people's minds when they think of things like the Rocky Mountains, moose, bulls, and everything related to the Colorado mountains. Planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is an exciting addition to your visit to the mile-high state of Colorado.
Prior to Trail Ridge Road, drivers accessed the national park through Old Fall River Road, which today leads to the Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet. The Alpine Visitor Center is a great place to stop for a meal and learn a little more about the tundra that makes up one-third of Rocky Mountain National Park. Watch a 20-minute film about Rocky Mountain National Park to better familiarize yourself with the history and splendor of this 100-year-old national park, get your bearings with the three-dimensional map of the downtown park, and enjoy the unbeatable views from this beautiful center. Before heading to Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the RMNP Reservation page at Recreation.
Extensive mountain views, tundra wildlife, and alpine lakes (such as Dream Lake) make Rocky Mountain National Park another ideal destination for photographers as well. Wonders abound within Rocky Mountain National Park, many of which can be enjoyed without putting on a backpack or going inside. Estes Park is a picturesque mountain town with all the details of a resort town with attractions, fun meals and occasionally you hear about moose stopping traffic. Within the national park, from the entrance to Beaver Meadows, Bear Lake Road runs 23 miles (23 miles) round trip to Bear Lake and is open year-round.
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