If there's one drive I tell every guest not to miss, it's Trail Ridge Road. It climbs from Estes Park over the Continental Divide to Grand Lake and tops out at 12,183 feet, making it the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Here's how to time it right.
When does Trail Ridge Road open?
Trail Ridge Road is seasonal. Park crews start plowing in spring (mid-April in 2026), and the goal is to open on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Weather has the final say:
- In 2026, the road opened on May 29, after May storms delayed plowing.
- In 2025, it opened May 30.
- The earliest opening on record is May 7, 2002; the latest is June 26, 1943.
When does it close?
The road closes for the season in fall, once snow and ice make it unsafe. In 2025 it officially closed on November 14. Early-season and late-season storms can close it temporarily at any time. Before you go, call the park's recorded Trail Ridge Road status line at (970) 586-1222.
Do I need a timed entry reservation?
During timed-entry season (May 22 to October 12 in 2026 for this reservation type), you need a Timed Entry reservation to enter the park between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., including to drive Trail Ridge Road. Enter before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. and you don't need one. A park entrance pass is always required.
Highlights along the way
- Many Parks Curve and Rainbow Curve: big valley views on the climb.
- Forest Canyon Overlook and the tundra: you're above treeline here, so stay on trails because tundra plants are fragile.
- Alpine Visitor Center (11,796 ft): the highest visitor center in the National Park Service. In 2026 it hadn't yet opened when the road opened, so check its status.
- Milner Pass: the Continental Divide.
Old Fall River Road
For a different kind of adventure, Old Fall River Road is a 9.4-mile, one-way, uphill, unpaved road from Endovalley to the Alpine Visitor Center. Built between 1913 and 1920, it typically opens to vehicles in early July and closes in early to mid-October. Vehicles over 25 feet and trailers aren't allowed. After it closes to cars, it's open to walkers, cyclists and leashed pets on the road for winter.
★★ Jeff & René's top pick: take Old Fall River Road up and Trail Ridge Road back for a perfect loop. We've personally spotted moose, elk and yellow-bellied marmots along Old Fall River Road. AWD is recommended, and it's not for large vehicles or RVs.
Tips from your host
- Go early. Mornings are clearer and calmer, and you'll beat both the timed-entry window and afternoon thunderstorms.
- Bring layers. It can feel 20 or more degrees colder at the top, and windy.
- Altitude: Take it slow if you're not acclimated. Headaches and shortness of breath are common above 11,000 feet.
- Fill up on gas before you leave town.
- Wildlife: Elk and bighorn sheep are often near the road. Use pullouts, and never stop in a traffic lane.
Play Bluebell I Spy!: Trail Ridge Road is a jackpot for our Bluebell I Spy! Estes Park & RMNP game: the drive itself, Rainbow Curve, alpine tundra, the Alpine Visitor Center (grab a passport stamp), snow on the peaks even in summer, and pikas squeaking in the rocks above treeline.
Before you go, read my guide on how to safely enjoy wildlife: Estes Park Wildlife Safety Guide
FAQ
When does Trail Ridge Road open for the season? Usually around Memorial Day weekend. In 2026 it opened May 29.
When does Trail Ridge Road close? In fall, when weather makes it unsafe. In 2025 it closed November 14.
How do I check if Trail Ridge Road is open? Call the recorded status line at (970) 586-1222 or check the NPS Park Roads page.
Do I need a reservation to drive Trail Ridge Road? During timed-entry season, yes, if you enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
How high is Trail Ridge Road? It tops out at 12,183 feet.
Related guides: Plan around the road's season with the best time to visit Estes Park, and pair your drive with a hike from my Summer Hikes guide.
Bluebell Mountain House is in a prime location, very close to the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance, so you can be on Trail Ridge Road before the crowds. I'd love to host you.