Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road
Visitor Services

Medical care is also available in Grand Lake (west entrance) and Estes Park (east entrance).

Service	Description	Service	Description
	Fees Park entrance fees are required. Different fees apply per carload, pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or commercial bus.		Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities The road is very narrow and has no shoulder or guardrail. At different points along the route, the drop-off is up to 2,000 vertical feet. Extreme caution should be taken if biking this scenic...
	Camping Three campgrounds are open year-round: Longs Peak, Timber Creek, and Moraine Park. Timber Creek campground is not plowed once the snows begin, so you have to carry your supplies to your...		Food Limited food services are available at Fall River Store, Alpine Visitor Center, and Fall River Pass.
	Gasoline Gasoline is available.		Information Exhibits and ranger-led nature programs are available at Fall River Store, Alpine Visitor Center, and Fall River Pass.
	Lodging There is overnight lodging along this byway.		Phone Due to the byway's high elevation, communication lines are hard to maintain. There is, however, a phone located at the Alpine Visitor Center for emergencies.
	Restrooms Restrooms are located at Fall River Store, Alpine Visitor Center, and Fall River Pass.		Retail Souvenirs are located at Fall River Store, Alpine Visitor Center, and Fall River Pass.

NOTE: The America's Byways® website is federally funded and cannot promote commercial businesses. This data may not be complete or up to date. The National Scenic Byways Program is not responsible for the quality of your travel experience. See the right column on the Byway Overview page for local contact information.

Special Considerations

You can't get fuel inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so be sure to fill up in the towns of Estes Park or Grand Lake. Beware of vapor lock, a common occurrence for vehicles from low altitudes.

Speed limits are generally 35 mph.

There is a National Park entrance fee to enter Rocky Mountain National Park.

Temporary closures due to snow and/or high winds may occur even during the summer months. Call 970-586-1222 for current information on the status of the byway.

If you are going into the backcountry overnight, you will need a backcountry permit, available at park headquarters or the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Some areas are closed to overnight camping, and the danger of avalanches frequently exists, so plan your trip carefully. Check with park rangers for the latest information on the areas in which you plan to travel.

Hypothermia, the loss of body heat through exposure, is a danger that can be encountered any time of the year in this area.

Altitude sickness: High altitude may cause altitude sickness, characterized by shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, nausea, or sleepiness. Individuals with cardio-pulmonary diseases are cautioned about traveling on the road's higher elevations. Emergency oxygen and medical attention are available at the Alpine Visitor Center, located in the Fall River Pass (11,796 feet above sea level).

Restrictions

Rocky Mountain National Park:

Parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, including a large portion of the byway, are closed during the winter from mid to late October until the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

Horseback Riding:

Horses or any other trail stock are not permitted to travel cross-country. Ask a park ranger which trails are open for stock use.

Fishing:

You must have a valid Colorado fishing license. Use of live bait is prohibited except under certain special conditions. Review the special fishing regulations at park headquarters or at the nearest park ranger station before you fish. Fishing is not permitted in Bear Lake at any time. Also, some waters on the west side of the park are restricted to protect reintroduced Colorado River cutthroat trout. Other lakes and streams on the east side are also closed to protect the greenback cutthroat trout that is being reintroduced to its native habitat.

Wood gathering is prohibited.

Seasons

Best Time to Drive

The byway is open to through traffic Memorial Day to mid- to late October. Most of the byway is closed by snow the rest of the year.

High Season

June, July, August comprise the high season, with the heaviest traffic occurring between 10 am and 4 pm.

Road Conditions

To find up to date information about the road conditions along Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road, please visit the FHWA listing of web sites for more information.

Colorado