Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s east side and Grand Lake on the west, Trail Ridge Road more than lives up to its advanced billing. Eleven miles of this high highway travel above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park’s evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra’s vastness to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their car. The road was built in 1931 and those visiting should be careful of altitude sickness due to the height of the road.

Up on that windswept alpine world, conditions resemble those found in the Canadian or Alaskan Arctic. It’s normally windy and 20 to 30 degrees colder than Estes Park or Grand Lake. The sun beats down with high- ultraviolet intensity. The vistas, best enjoyed from one of several marked road pullovers, are extravagant, sweeping north to Wyoming, east across the Front Range cities and Great Plains, south and west into the heart of the Rockies.

Trail Ridge Road is generally open and ready for travel from the end of May through October. The road, which connects the west and east entrances of Rocky Mountain National Park, closes each year due to snow accumulation. Call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status line at 970-586-1222 for current conditions.

There are some ranger led programs in the park in the past, such as Astronomy in the Park, stars and meteors, and Stories behind the moon and stars. Make sure to bring warmer clothes as the temperature is colder than the surrounding areas.

Help keep wildlife wild. Never approach or feed wildlife. Animals that learn people are a source of food can become aggressive or stop hunting or foraging on their own. Keep your distance – it’s the law! You could be hurt or issued a fine.

Length	48 miles
States	1 – Colorado
Astronomy Sites	7
Bortle Scale	Class 3 and 4

Astronomy Sites

As approach the city of Estes Park, light pollution increases. There are a plethora of hikes available, and we will only include a few. If hiking and then taking DSLR photos, make sure to pack the appropriate gear, check for weather conditions, and check the NPS website for more information if doing one of their hikes.

Farview Curve Viewpoint

Enjoy sweeping views of the Kawnueeche Valley and the Never Summer Range from this spectacular overlook. With great views to the West, this viewpoint provides great photography options for the Milky Way as it sets and provides a great opportunity to view the night sky.

Medicine Bow Curve

Medicine Bow Curve provides a great location to view the northernmost areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Looking to the horizon, visitors will see the Medicine Bow Mountains and the state of Wyoming. The Cache la Poudre river can clearly be seen flowing through the valley beneath the lookout area. From this viewing area, visitors can see two tree lines. This provides a great vantage point to view the nights sky using a telescope and take photos.

Gore Range Overlook

Get spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park’s highest peaks, as Gore Range Overlook offers views of the Never Summer Mountains, and the Gore Range. The overlook faces West and is at 12,048 feet elevation, which provides the Gore Range Overlook spectacular, sweeping views of the Gorge Range. Gore Range Overlook sits above the treeline in the alpine tundra, just down the road from the highest point on Trail Ridge Road, which allows for great views of the Western skies.

Forest Canyon Overlook

Take a five minute walk down the paved asphalt trail to see Forest Canyon and its tributary canyons, Hayden Gorge and Gorge Lakes. Here the erosive force of glacial ice is unmistakable. A 1,500 feet thick glacier shaped a V-shaped stream valley below. With grinding force, the ice scoured the valley into the distinctive U-shaped valley of today.

Rainbow Curve Overlook

Along Trail Ridge Road, stop at the Rainbow Curve viewing area to appreciate a varied and spectacular view. Rainbow curve rests on tree line, marking the moment of passing between alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems. From this vantage point, visitors can view Horseshoe Park, Deer Mountain, the Alluvial Fan and the Mummy Mountain range. Rainbows can often be seen here after a rain, giving the location its name. This makes for a great location to view the stars, as the expansive views provide a great views of the sky.

Many Parks Curve Overlook

As a part of Rocky Mountain National Park, Many Parks Curve Overlook gives you panoramic views of the park. This provides an amazing opportunity to view many different peaks and valleys, which makes for a great place for viewing the stars and taking photos.

Twin Sisters Summit

Although a bit of a trek, this summit provides an amazing panoramic view of the area that will allow for amazing DSLR photography for the Milky Way. Prepare for the hike by researching the route and bringing proper supplies.

Camping/Lodging

In Rocky Mountain National Park, there are a plethora of campgrounds that are available for camping, with a combination of reservation and first come, first serve. This will not be a complete list of every campground in the area, but rather some of the best options based upon availability and the ability to reserve ahead of time. The goal is that these options can help with not only determining how many spots are available in more real time, but also help reserve the spots in advance.

Timber Creek Campground

Timber Creek Campground is the only campground on the west side of the park. Located at 8900 feet along the Colorado River about eight miles north of the Grand Lake entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. A mountain pine beetle infestation caused most of the trees to be removed, so there is no shade at campsites.

Moraine Park Campground

Moraine Park Campground is located in Colorado’s awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park, near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park, offering beautiful views of the vast park and the surrounding mountains.

Glacier Basin Campground

A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, and the occasional Engelmann spruce forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.

Aspen Glen Campground

Near the Fall River Entrance. Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows. Aspenglen contains several drive-to family sites for tents and RVs. A few sites are more secluded, walk-to tent sites.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to view our other unique astronomy roadtrips such as this one for more places to view astronomy when on a roadtrip.