This scenic byway is in north-central Colorado about 30 miles west of Loveland. It begins in Estes Park and heads southwest to Grand Lake through Rocky Mountain National Park. The byway follows US 36 and US 34 for a total of 53 miles. Both US Highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Trail Ridge Road through the national park is usually open Memorial Day to mid-October.
Trail Ridge and Beaver Meadow Roads take the visitor to the “top of the world” as it reaches 12,183 feet above sea level, higher than any other continuous paved highway in the United States. In fact, Trail Ridge Road stays above treeline, the alpine tundra, for eleven beautiful miles. Views to the north, south, east, and west extend into Wyoming and three national forests adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Alpine Visitor Center, located at Fall River Pass, provides exhibits explaining the life of the alpine tundra. This is also a good place to stop for a snack before continuing on.
Rocky Mountain National Park was born in 1915, several years after Enos Mills, a naturalist, writer, and conservationist, began campaigning in 1909 for preservation of this pristine area. In addition to the rugged and majestic mountain scenery, the park offers plenty of opportunities for horseback riding, camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling. A side trip worth taking is the 10-mile road to Bear Lake. This little alpine lake offers a half-mile, wheelchair accessible trail that surrounds the lake. The area is heavily used and is often congested; you can expect parking lots to be full between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on summer days.