Weather
Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, which has been closed since October 11 due to wintry weather, is now likely closed for the season.
Due to the government shutdown, no official announcement has been made, but social media posts report that rangers have been informing people that it is now closed for the season.
The road is closed to cars at Many Parks Curve on the east side and closed at Colorado River trailhead on the west side. The road remains open to cyclists and hikers, despite having icy and snowy sections.
A hazardous weather outlook is in effect from today through Tuesday.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 1053 AM MDT Wed Oct 22 2025 COZ030>051-231700- Jackson County Below 9000 Feet- West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet- Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet- South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/ Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet- South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/ Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet- Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet- Central and Southeast Park County- Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County- Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield County- North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County- Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet- Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County- Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties- North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln County- Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County- Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County- 1053 AM MDT Wed Oct 22 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday A weak storm system is expected to bring rain and snow showers to the region Thursday into Friday, with light snow accumulations across the mountains. Another storm system is expected to bring cooler temperatures, along with more mountain snow and gusty winds Sunday into Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight. $$
The 48-mile highway, which climbs to 12,183 feet at its highest point, closed at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, between Rainbow Curve on the east side and Milner Pass on the west side.
This was the fifth weather-related closure of Trail Ridge Road since it reopened for the season on May 30. The road was temporarily closed for six hours on Sunday, September 14, and then again overnight on September 16 and on September 22 for two days. On October 4, the pass closed for five days due to wintry weather. The high-elevation route often experiences sudden snow and ice during the fall months, leading to temporary shutdowns before its full seasonal closure, which typically begins in mid-to-late October.
Trail Ridge Road is not designed as an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails, and no shoulders. Winter conditions include drifting snow, high winds, and temperatures below freezing at elevations above 10,000 feet.
Last year, the road closed for the winter on October 25, and in 2023, on October 18.
Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend. The earliest the road opened was May 7, 2002; the latest was June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet, and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America, links Estes Park on the east with Grand Lake on the west and serves as a centerpiece for millions of annual park visitors. In 2024, Rocky Mountain National Park ranked fifth in visitation among U.S. national parks, attracting over 4.1 million visitors.
Visitors are advised to call the road status line at 970-586-1222 for current conditions before planning a trip.
