12,183′ Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, Closed Last Night Due to Snow and Ice

Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park closed again yesterday due to the forecast for snow and freezing temperatures overnight, park officials said.

“Trail Ridge Road Will Be Temporarily Closed Overnight
Due to the forecast for snow and freezing temperatures overnight, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) will be temporarily closing at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, September 16. The road will be closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side of RMNP and at Milner Pass on the west side of the park. Park rangers will assess road conditions in the morning. For updates, call the recorded status line for Trail Ridge Road at 970-586-1222.”

– NPS

The 48-mile highway, which climbs to 12,183 feet at its highest point, closed at 7 p.m. on September 16 between Rainbow Curve on the east side and Milner Pass on the west side. It will remain closed until conditions improve.

This was the second weather-related closure of Trail Ridge Road since it reopened for the season on May 30. The road was also temporarily closed for six hours on Sunday, September 14. 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.

The Park Service said it has not established a date for when the road will close for the season this year.

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 below-freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet.

Last year, the road closed for the winter on October 25, and in 2023, on October 18.

• Related: First Snowfall, First Avalanche: Skier Triggered and Caught Near Silverton Mountain, CO

Colorado Vehicle Traction Law may also become active at any time. When vehicle traction law is in effect, all vehicles (including 4-wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and 2-wheel Drive) must have properly rated tires (Mud and Snow, Mountain and Snow, or All-Weather Tires) with a minimum of 3/16” tread. If your vehicle has poorly rated tires, you must use an approved traction control device. These may include snow chains, cables, tire/snow socks, or studded tires.

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, drawing more than 4.1 million people.

Visitors are advised to call the road status line at 970-586-1222 for current conditions before planning a trip.