Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road
Places to Visit

  • Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest (CO)

    The forests encompass 1.5 million acres and extends north to the Wyoming border, south of I-70 to Mount Evans, and west across the Continental divide to the Williams Fork area.

    Location:

    Located in northcentral Colorado.

  • Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CO)

    The entire Continental Divide National Scenic Trail corridor is approximately 3,100 miles (4,988 kilometers) long, extending from the Canadian border in Montana to the border of Mexico in New Mexico.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    The Trail can be accessed near Milner Pass on the Byway.

  • Deer Ridge Junction (CO)

    With an elevation of 8,940 feet, this junction marks the eastern end of Trail Ridge Road. First opened in 1932, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This junction is located on the byway between the Fall River Entrance Station and the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station.

  • Fairview Curve (CO)

    This overlook offers a spectacular view of the scenic Kawuneeche Valley. From this point, it is possible to see the many beaver ponds in the Colorado River on the valley floor.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This overlook is located near the western edge of the park near Milner Pass.

  • Fall River Pass and Alpine Visitor Center (CO)

    Fall River Pass marks the dividing point between the Fall River and the Cache la Poudre River Drainages.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This site is located on the byway between the Lava Cliffs Overlook and Medicine Bow Curve.

  • Forest Canyon Overlook (CO)

    A five-minute walk leads to a dizzying panorama of Forest Canyon and its tributary canyons, Hayden Gorge and Gorge Lakes.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This overlook is located about six miles west of the Fall River Entrance Station between the Rock Cut Overlook and the Rainbow Curve Overlook.

  • Many Parks Curve (CO)

    Prominent from this overlook are several 'parks,' or mountain-enclosed meadows.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This overlook is located on the byway near the eastern border to the park.

  • Milner Pass (CO)

    At this point, Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide. This divide marks the point where water enters either the Atlantic or Pacific drainage.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Milner Pass is located on the byway near Fairview Curve.

  • Rainbow Curve (CO)

    At 10,829 feet, this overlook is more than two vertical miles above sea level. At this elevation, every exposed tree is blasted by wind, ice, and grit into distinctive flag shapes. Tree branches here survive only on the downwind side of tree trunks.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This overlook is located between the Many Parks Curve overlook and the Forest Canyon overlook.

  • Rock Cut Overlook (CO)

    At 12,110 feet, you are standing on the roof of the Rocky Mountains.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    This overlook is located between the Lava Cliffs Overlook and the Forest Canyon Overlook.