Just because Trail Ridge Road closes for winter doesn’t mean your Rocky Mountain adventure is over! In fact, Estes Park after Trail Ridge Road closes offers a completely different experience, with snow-covered peaks, peaceful hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and cozy downtown restaurants.
While the high-elevation highway typically closes to through traffic in mid-October, many of Estes Park’s most popular attractions remain accessible throughout fall and winter.
Which Rocky Mountain National Park Roads Stay Open?
The biggest misconception is that closing Trail Ridge Road means Rocky Mountain National Park closes. It doesn’t!
Visitors can generally still access:
- Bear Lake Road: Provides access to Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, and other popular trailheads when conditions permit.
- Moraine Park Road: Leads to one of the park’s best-known wildlife-viewing valleys.
- Upper Beaver Meadows Road: Offers access to scenic meadows, although seasonal vehicle closures may apply.
- Trail Ridge Road’s lower sections: Portions near Deer Ridge Junction may remain accessible before winter road closures and conditions limit travel farther uphill.
Check the park’s current road status before driving. Snowstorms can temporarily close roads that normally remain open.
Hike or Snowshoe to Dream Lake
One of the best cold-weather adventures begins at Bear Lake.
The approximately 2.2-mile round-trip hike to Dream Lake passes Nymph Lake before reaching a dramatic mountain basin framed by Hallett Peak.
Snow and ice often cover the trail in winter, so traction devices or snowshoes may be necessary. Avalanche conditions can affect some mountain routes, making current trail information essential.
For an easier outing, the roughly 0.6-mile Bear Lake Loop offers beautiful winter scenery without the longer climb.
Discover More Winter Scenery and Wildlife
For an easier outing, visit Sprague Lake, where a roughly 0.8-mile loop offers mountain reflections and snowy scenery.
Moraine Park is another excellent stop for spotting elk from a safe distance. Outside the park, the Lake Estes Trail provides a scenic paved walk with views of the surrounding peaks.
Stay at Rocky Mountain Resorts
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and just minutes from all the Estes Park fun. Rocky Mountain Resorts is the ideal choice for lodging. We offer a variety of accommodations ranging from cozy cabins and cottages to large and spacious vacation homes. In addition, guests enjoy the nightlife of downtown Estes Park and are less than a 10-minute drive from all that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer. You truly have the best access to must-do Estes Park activities with a stay at Rocky Mountain Resorts! Book with us today.
