Rocky Mountain National Park contains roads with views of some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado. If you only have one day in the Park, traveling along these roads is highly recommended.
The Estes Park Convention and Visitors Bureau contains several road maps that will help you plan your drives.
TRAIL RIDGE ROAD:
Easily, Trail Ridge Road is the most popular road in the Rocky Mountain National Park region. It is also the highest continually paved highway in the United States, peaking at just over 12,100 feet above sea level. The road travels through several climactic zones, and gives travelers the unique opportunity to experience alpine tundra first-hand. Be careful, however, as the tundra is a fragile place.
Atop Trail Ridge Road is the Alpine Visitors Center, which includes a snack bar, gift shop and exhibits staffed with Park rangers. Beyond that is Milner Pass, where the road crosses the Continental Divide.
Trail ridge road can be easily reached via Estes Park or Grand Lake. The higher reaches are generally closed for much of the year due to high snowfall. The National Park Service tries to open the road by Memorial Day each year, and the road stays open until late September or early October. Throughout this time, the road may temporarily close due to high winds or snow.
The high elevations may cause altitude sickness in some people, or may aggravate heart or lung troubles. Also, beware afternoon thunderstorms and the lightning they carry.
FALL RIVER ROAD:
This is an alternative route to the Alpine Visitors Center atop Trail Ridge Road. The road is a one-way dirt road, hence any return trip will be via Trail Ridge Road. The road is a spectacular climb above Horseshoe Park, and is highly recommended.
The road can be reached via a turnoff from Trail Ridge Road in Horseshoe Park.
BEAR LAKE ROAD:
This road takes visitors to a popular alpine lake. The area offers great views of the Continental Divide, the soaring cliffs of Hallett Peak, and the massive Glacier Gorge -- a testament to the power of glaciers.
Bear Lake Road can be reached from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station.
HIGHWAY 7 (Peak to Peak Scenic Byway):
This road offers some of the best views of Longs Peak. The road travels south of Estes Park, through Tahosa Valley below Longs Peak, and past the area of Wild Basin.
HIGHWAY 14 (Poudre Canyon):
This road climbs the Poudre Canyon, west of Fort Collins. Past Cameron Pass, the road crosses Colorado State Forest, and offers views into the northern edge of the Never Summer Range -- Including Mt. Richthofen, the highest peak in the range. The road then continues to the town of Walden.
Rocky Mountain National Park