Rocky Mountain National Park closes Trail Ridge Road on 13 November

Rocky Mountain National Park has closed Trail Ridge Road to through vehicle travel on 13 November 2026, affecting the route between Estes Park and Grand Lake. The park, in Colorado, remains open in other areas, but the winter restriction changes how visitors cross the mountains.

Trail Ridge Road closure begins on 13 November 2026

The National Park Service announced that the closure applies to U.S. Highway 34 between Many Parks Curve on the eastern side and Colorado River Trailhead on the western side. The road remains open to pedestrians, bicyclists and leashed pets during the winter, but bicycles and pets must stay on the road rather than using side trails or the tundra.

The official closure notice says the route typically reopens to through travel during the last week of May, weather permitting. It also records that the road opened on 29 May 2026, before closing again for the winter season.

High-altitude road shapes winter access

Trail Ridge Road is a major route through the park, linking the Estes Park area with Grand Lake during the warmer part of the year. Its highest point is 12,183 feet (3,713 metres) above sea level, and 11 miles of the road lie above 11,500 feet.

The route was constructed between 1926 and 1932 across high mountain terrain. That history helps explain why the winter closure is a recurring access change rather than a permanent loss of the road. The regional closure report describes the route as exposed to drifting snow, high winds and freezing temperatures.

Alternative routes remain open inside the park

The closure does not remove every driving option. The National Park Service says Bear Lake Road and Endovalley Road remain open during winter, while motorists can still reach Hidden Valley and Many Parks Curve from the east.

From the west, access continues from the Grand Lake Entrance to Colorado River Trailhead. These routes do not restore through travel across the park, so a journey planned between Estes Park and Grand Lake needs to account for the closed central section.

Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Trail Ridge Road closed to through vehicle travel on 13 November 2026 between Many Parks Curve and Colorado River Trailhead.
• Pedestrians, bicyclists and leashed pets may use the closed road, but bicycles and pets must remain on the road and cannot use side trails or tundra.
• Drivers can use Bear Lake Road and Endovalley Road, with east-side access continuing to Hidden Valley and Many Parks Curve.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Rocky Mountain National Park

What has changed at Rocky Mountain National Park?

Trail Ridge Road closed to through vehicle travel on 13 November 2026 for the winter season. The road remains available to pedestrians, bicyclists and leashed pets under the stated restrictions.

Where is Rocky Mountain National Park and how do you get there?

The park is in north-central Colorado, with Estes Park on its eastern side and Grand Lake on its western side. Winter drivers can still use Bear Lake Road, Endovalley Road and the remaining open approaches.

What is Rocky Mountain National Park?

It is a national park established on 26 January 1915 in the southern Rocky Mountains. Its landscape includes alpine tundra, wilderness and the Continental Divide.