by Michele Kadison

Trail Ridge Road Scenic and Historic Byway
Beginning and End Points: Estes Park, Grand Lake
Points of interest: Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake
Distance one way: 48 miles
Estimated driving time: 2 hours

Estes Park
This beautiful alpine town that functions as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park shines all year round with its verdant spring and summer vistas and its startlingly golden autumns.  Take a stroll down Elkhorn Avenue where you can shop in the many stores for gift buying for the folks back home.  There are several RV and camping areas in or around the town, some with full hookups to make your stay all the more comfortable.

Rocky Mountain National Park
This is the highest continuously paved road in North America with some of the most amazing views of the Colorado landscape that one can find.  Take to the trails to enjoy a true backcountry experience as you tread the same land as the local elk, mule deer, foxes, and other wildlife that inhabit the region.  Make sure you have your camera ready to shoot the herds of bighorn sheep, especially during the autumn months when they come to mate.  Drive through the majestic granite cliffs that define the Rockies in this area, and enjoy the landscape of high-altitude tundra and brush that give this area so much character.  There are several camping sites within the park, but none of them have hookups for water or electricity.

Grand Lake
As the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Grand Lake attracts many vacation visitors who come to enjoy the many outdoor activities that the high-altitude lake allows.  During the summer, the town holds the Lipton Cup Races as well as the Grand Lake Regatta, known for being the highest altitude regatta in the United States.

Editor’s Note:  Trail Ridge Road Scenic and Historic Byway is closed from mid-October to Memorial day due to changeable weather conditions, so plan your vacation accordingly.

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