Ultimate guide to trail ridge road…. we have the details other ddont and thats fact babe

So you are planning to drive the big one the road that goes way up into the sky and makes your palms sweat just thinking about it. Trail Ridge Road is basically the crown jewel of Rocky Mountain National Park and if you come to Estes Park and dont drive it did you even really come here? Probably not. But the thing is most guides on the internet are written by people who just googled it and didnt actually drive it themselves or deal with the altitude sickness or the wind that tries to rip your car door off. We are gonna break it down real simple for you so you know exactly what to expect when you head up to twelve thousand feet.

This road is not just a road it is an experience that takes you from the tall pine trees all the way up to the alpine tundra where trees cant even grow because its too cold and windy. Its like driving from Colorado to Alaska in about an hour without ever leaving the state which is pretty wild when you think about it. But before you just hop in your car and go there are some things you seriously need to know so you dont end up having a bad time or getting turned around at the entrance gate.

First things first getting into the park

Everyone knows RMNP is super popular now and that means you cant just waltz in whenever you feel like it during the busy season. You need a timed entry reservation plus your park pass and if you show up without it they will turn you around and its a long drive of shame back to town. Specifically for Trail Ridge Road you usually need the park access plus bear lake if you plan on stopping there but if you are just doing the drive make sure you check the rec.gov site before you leave your house.

The rangers are nice but they are strict about the times so dont try to sneak in five minutes early because it usually doesnt work out.

What you need to bring with you

You might think oh im just going for a drive I dont need to pack much but that is a rookie mistake. The weather up there is completley different than it is down in town at Estes Direct headquarters. It could be seventy degrees and sunny at the stanley hotel and snowing sideways at the alpine visitor center so you have to be ready for anything.

Item	Why you need it serious
Layers of clothes	It gets freezing up there even in July so bring a hoodie or a jacket
Water	The altitude dries you out fast and gives you a headache if you dont drink
Sunscreen	The sun is way stronger at 12000 feet and you will burn in like ten minutes
Snacks	There is a cafe at the top but its expensive and sometimes crowded
Binoculars	You are gonna wanna see the elk and moose up close without getting too close

If you go up there in shorts and a tank top your gonna have a bad time when you step out of the car to take a picture and the wind chill hits you. The wind is the main thing people forget about because it is relentless on the tundra. It never stops blowing and it cuts right through you so bring a windbreaker at least.

The Drive Up from Estes Park

Okay so you got your pass and your snacks and your ready to go. You will probably enter through the Fall River entrance or the Beaver Meadows entrance and both of them eventually lead you to Trail Ridge Road. The road starts climbing pretty fast and your ears are gonna pop a few times so keep chewing gum or drinking water.

As you go up you are gonna pass a lot of pullouts and overlooks. You dont have to stop at every single one or you will never make it to the top but there are a few that are totally worth it.

Deer Ridge Junction

This is kinda where it all really starts. Its a busy intersection but there are usually elk hanging out around here in the trees so keep your eyes peeled. Its not super high up yet but it gives you a nice view of the mountains you are about to drive up.

Rainbow Curve

This is a must stop spot. It is on a huge switchback and you can look way down into the valley and see all the beaver ponds and meadows. Its usually super windy here so hold onto your hat literally because I have seen so many hats fly off into the abyss at this exact spot. This is also where the trees start to get kinda scrubby and short because you are getting close to the tree line.

Reaching the Tundra

Once you pass Rainbow Curve you keep climbing and suddenly the trees just stop. It looks like someone drew a line on the mountian and said no more trees past this point. This is the tree line and now you are entering the alpine tundra.

Its honestly like being on another planet. The ground is covered in tiny little flowers and moss and rocks and you can see for miles and miles in every direction. The road gets a little scary here for some people because there are no guard rails on some parts and it is a long drop down. Just keep your eyes on the road and dont look down if your scared of heights.

Forest Canyon Overlook: You have to walk a little bit out on a paved path for this one but it is spectacular. You look straight down into a massive canyon that was carved by glaciers a long time ago. Its one of the deepest views in the park and you can hear the river roaring way down at the bottom if the wind isnt blowing too loud.
Rock Cut: This is a high point literally and figuratively. There is a trail here called the Tundra Communities Trail and its paved but its steep. If you try to walk it fast you will feel like you just ran a marathon because there is no air up here. Take your time and look for marmots.

The Wildlife you will definately see

Speaking of wildlife this is the prime spot for seeing some of the coolest animals in the rockies. Everyone wants to see a bear or a moose but up on Trail Ridge Road it is all about the marmots and the pikas.

Marmots are these big chubby squirrel looking things that sunbathe on the rocks. They are super cute but they are wild animals so dont try to feed them your cheetos even if they look like they want them. Feeding them makes them aggressive and then they die in the winter because they dont know how to forage so just dont do it.

Pikas are harder to see but you will hear them. They make this little squeak noise like a dog toy. They look like a hamster with big round ears and they are constantly running around collecting grass for the winter. They are my absolute favorite animal in the park because they are just so busy and focused.

You might also see bighorn sheep up here if your lucky. They like the salt on the road sometimes or they just hang out on the cliffs at Lava Cliffs. If you see cars stopped on the side of the road that usually means there is an animal nearby so slow down and take a look but pull all the way off the road so you dont block traffic.

The Alpine Visitor Center

So you made it to the top basically. The Alpine Visitor Center is the highest visitor center in the national park system which is a cool fact to tell your friends. It gets absolutely packed up here around lunchtime so finding a parking spot can be a nightmare sometimes.

If you can park you should definately go inside. They have a great gift shop where you can buy stickers and hoodies and they have a cafe with food. The hot chocolate is pretty good especially after being out in the cold wind. There is also another trail here that goes up a set of stairs to the very top of the ridge. It looks easy but remember the altitude. I have seen fit people huffing and puffing on those stairs so dont feel bad if you have to stop ten times.

The view from the top of the stairs is insane though. You can see the Never Summer Mountains and on a clear day you can see all the way to Wyoming. It makes you feel really small in a good way.

Driving Down the Other Side

Most people turn around at the visitor center and go back to Estes Park but you can keep going. The road goes down the other side towards Grand Lake. This is the “quiet” side of the park and it is really lush and green.

There is a spot called the Continental Divide marker where rain on one side goes to the Atlantic Ocean and rain on the other side goes to the Pacific Ocean. Its just a sign but its cool to take a picture with it.

If you decide to drive all the way to Grand Lake just remember it takes a while to get back. Trail Ridge Road is not a fast road. The speed limit is mostly 35 or 45 mph and you will get stuck behind a slow RV eventually. Just be patient and enjoy the views because road rage up here is pointless.

Important Safety Stuff They Ddont Tell You

Driving this road is safe but you have to be smart about it. The biggest thing is your brakes. When you are coming back down the mountian do not ride your brakes the whole way. If you keep your foot on the brake pedal for miles they will get hot and they can fail and that is terrifying.

You need to use your gears. Put your car in low gear or 2 or L depending on what kind of car you have. This lets the engine slow the car down so you dont burn up your brakes. If you smell something burning and its not a campfire it is probably someone’s brakes so check yours just in case.

Also watch out for sudden weather changes. Lighting is a huge danger up on the tundra. If you see dark clouds building up or hear thunder you need to get back in your car immediately. You are the tallest thing on the ridge if you are standing outside and that makes you a lightning rod. Do not mess around with storms up there.

Best Time of Day to Go

Everyone asks when is the best time to drive Trail Ridge Road and the answer depends on what you want.

Early Morning: This is the best for avoiding crowds. If you get up there at like 6 or 7 am you might have the road to yourself which is magical. The wildlife is more active too.
Mid-Day: This is when it is warmest but also the most crowded. The parking lots will be full and you will be in traffic.
Evening/Sunset: This is my personal favorite. The lighting gets super pretty and the animals come back out. Watching the sunset from 12000 feet is something you will never forget. But you have to drive down in the dark which can be scary for some people because of the elk on the road.

Why We Love It So Much

Look there are lots of scenic drives in America but Trail Ridge Road is special. It is not just a road it is a journey through different ecosystems. You start in the thick forest and end up on top of the world. It gives you a perspective that you cant get anywhere else unless you climb a huge mountian on foot which most of us arent gonna do.

For us at Estes Direct we drive this road all the time and it never gets old. Every time is different. Sometimes its sunny sometimes its foggy and mysterious sometimes you see a baby moose. It is the heart of the park and we are lucky to have it right in our backyard.

So pack your jacket grab your camera and go drive it. Just remember to be respectful of the park and the animals. Dont leave trash dont step on the fragile tundra flowers and definately dont try to pet the marmots.

A Few More Tips Before You Go

We want to make sure you have the best trip ever so here are a few random tips that came to mind.

If you have a fear of heights this drive might be challenging but you can do it. Just let someone else drive and sit on the side of the car that is closest to the mountian not the edge. It helps a lot.

Bring sunglasses. I mentioned sunscreen earlier but sunglasses are crucial. The sun reflects off the snow patches even in summer and it can be blinding.

Download your maps before you go. There is basically zero cell service up there. You might get a bar of signal at the very top sometimes but dont count on it. If you rely on google maps and you lose signal you might not know where the trailheads are so download the offline map for the park.

Be patient with the “gapers”. Locals call the tourists who stop in the middle of the road to take pictures “gapers”. It can be annoying when you are trying to get somewhere but remember everyone is just amazed by the beauty. Take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery while you wait for them to move.

If your car is old or overheats easily keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Climbing 4000 feet in elevation is hard work for an engine. If it starts getting hot pull over at a pullout and let it cool down. It gives you an excuse to take more pictures anyway.

The History is Kinda Cool Too

They finished building this road back in the 1930s which is crazy when you think about the tools they had back then. It was a massive project to blast through the rock and pave a road this high up. Before the road there was a trail used by the Ute and Arapaho people to cross the mountains. Its cool to think that people have been crossing this ridge for thousands of years.

When you drive it today you are driving on history. The rock walls and the way the road curves is designed to fit into the landscape not just cut through it. It is considered an engineering marvel and once you drive it you will see why.

Wrapping it Up

Trail Ridge Road is open usually from Memorial Day weekend until sometime in October depending on the snow. Once the big snow comes they close it for the winter and it gets buried under like twenty feet of snow drifts. So you have a small window to see it.

Dont miss your chance. Even if you only have one day in Estes Park you should spend it driving this road. It is the highlight of the trip for 99% of people. We hope this guide helps you out and gives you the real scoop on what to expect.

We try to keep it real here at Estes Direct and tell you the stuff other travel blogs gloss over. We want you to be prepared and safe and have an awesome time.

So get out there drive safe watch out for elk and enjoy the views from the roof of the Rockies. It really is an unforgettable experience and thats a fact babe.

Would you like me to create a complementary article about the best hiking trails that start directly off of Trail Ridge Road to link with this one?

See more blog articles from Estes Direct