Trail Ridge Road
Rocky Mountain's famous "highway to the sky."
Plan Around Trail Ridge Road
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Trail Ridge Road Details
Rocky Mountain's famous "highway to the sky," Trail Ridge Road runs 48 miles between Estes Park on the east side of the park to the Grand Lake Entrance Station on the west side. Eleven miles of this journey are above the treeline -- higher than the 11,500-foot mark where the evergreens stop growing. Expect temperatures to be 20 to 30 degrees colder at these heights than in Estes Park or Grand Lake. You'll gain more than 4,000 feet in elevation during your drive, but never at more than a 7-percent grade -- a testimony to the skills of the engineers who designed the road in the 1930s. As you drive you'll pass through aspen forests and stands of ponderosa pine, fir, and spruce before the road opens out onto the alpine tundra, where the views are spectacular.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Trail Ridge Road
Nearby Parks Around Trail Ridge Road
Compare nearby parks around Trail Ridge Road when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Trail Ridge Road
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Trail Ridge Road while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Deer Ridge Junction
This is the meeting point of Trail Ridge Road -- also known as Highway 34 -- and Highway 36.
0.2 mi away
Deer Ridge Jct. Trailhead
The Deer Mountain Trail begins here - it's a moderately difficult, 3-mile, one-way hike to the summit.
0.2 mi away
Deer Mountain
This well maintained popular trail climbs steadily along the ponderosa pine and aspen groves.
0.9 mi away
Many Parks Curve
The "parks" referred to at this scenic pulloff are another name for the mountain-enclosed meadows you see here.
0.9 mi away
Many Parks Curve
The "parks" referred to at this scenic pulloff are another name for the mountain-enclosed meadows you see here.
