Tundra Communities Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Tundra Communities Trail

This short, pleasant hike follows a paved path through the delicate alpine tundra landscape.

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Tundra Communities Trail Details

This short, pleasant hike from the Trail Ridge Road follows a paved path through the delicate alpine tundra landscape, twisting and winding along the hillside, and providing good opportunities to see the unique flora and fauna of the tundra. Home to the usual elk, mule deer, and wildflowers, the tundra is also a habitat for pikas, small guinea-pig-like mammals that are often spotted gathering tundra plants. The shrill whistling sound heard along this trail is the pika warning call, which they emit whenever predators, or humans, seem too close for their comfort. The trail, which can be difficult for some due to its high elevation, also yields excellent views of the Front Range, the Never Summer Range, and a number of other tall, distant peaks.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

0.5 mile

Estimated time

40 minutes

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Tundra Communities Trail

Compare nearby parks around Tundra Communities Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

9.6 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

165.3 mi away

Black Canyon

National Park · CO

185.5 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

National Park · CO

241.5 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

256.5 mi away

Canyonlands

National Park · UT

256.7 mi away

Mesa Verde

National Park · CO

Nearby Points of Interest Around Tundra Communities Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Tundra Communities Trail while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

Tundra Communities Trailhead

Offers an overview of the arctic tundra environment at the upper elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park.

0.0 mi away

Tundra Communities Trailhead

Offers an overview of the arctic tundra environment at the upper elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park.

0.2 mi away

Rock Cut

It's a little bit amazing that anything grows on the harsh Arctic tundra you see here.

0.8 mi away

Iceberg Pass

A notch in the mountain range standing at 11,827 feet between Rock Cut and the Lava Cliffs.

1.0 mi away

Sundance Mountain

Rarely is getting to the top of a mountain this simple.