Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is a high mountain highway spanning 48 miles (77 kilometers) through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, linking Estes Park and Grand Lake while climbing to an elevation of 12,183 feet (3,712 meters). The paved route runs above the tree line for much of its length, offering multiple overlooks along open tundra and rocky slopes.

Construction began in 1929 and took nine years to complete, opening the route across the mountains in 1938. The alignment followed portions of older trails that had crossed the passes for centuries, creating the first continuous motor road over the Continental Divide in this area.

The Arapaho people called this mountain passage 'taienbaa' and traveled through it for trade and seasonal journeys long before any road existed. Visitors today walk the same high ridges that once guided those traveling groups across the peaks.

The highway closes from October through May because of snow, so passage is only possible during the summer months. Pullouts and overlooks line the entire route, allowing drivers to stop and take in the surroundings.

At 12,183 feet (3,712 meters), this is the highest continuous paved road in North America, crossing the Continental Divide at Milner Pass at 10,758 feet (3,279 meters). Drivers reach elevations where trees no longer grow and the air becomes noticeably thinner.

Location: Grand County

Location: Larimer County

Inception: 1932

GPS coordinates: 40.43148,-105.79586

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:05