Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURIST INFORMATION
The park has three full-service visitor centers - one on the east side, one on the west and
one in the middle. Though they all have different displays and programs, this is where you
can study maps and speak with rangers about permits and weather conditions.
Alpine Visitor Center
(
www.nps.gov/romo
;
Fall River Pass; 10:30am-4:30pm late May-mid-Jun, 9am-5pm late
Jun-early Sep, 10:30am-4:30pm early Sep-mid-Oct)
The views from this popular visitor center and
souvenir store at 11,796ft, and right in the middle of the park, are extraordinary. You can
see elk, deer and sometimes moose grazing on the hillside on the drive up Old Fall River
Rd.
Much of the traffic that clogs Trail Ridge Rd all summer pulls into Alpine Visitor
Center, so the place is a zoo. Rangers here give programs and advice about trails. You can
also shop for knickknacks or eat in the cafeteria-style dining room.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
( 970-586-1206;
www.nps.gov/romo
;
US Hwy 36; 8am-9pm late Jun-late
Aug, to 4:30pm or 5pm rest of year)
The primary visitor center and best stop for park information
if you're approaching from Estes Park. You can see a film about the park, browse a small
gift shop and reserve backcountry camping sites.
Kawuneeche Visitor Center
( 970-627-3471; 16018 US Hwy 34; 8am-6pm last week May-Labor Day,
8am-5pm Labor Day-Sep, 8am-4:30pm Oct-May)
This visitor center is on the west side of the park,
and offers a film about the park, ranger-led walks and discussions, backcountry permits
and family activities.
8:30am-4:30pm summer)
Eleven miles south
Longs Peak Ranger Station
(Longs Peak Rd, off State Hwy 7;
of Estes Park.
Wild Basin Ranger Station
(off County Hwy 115;
hours vary)
Getting There & Away
Trail Ridge Rd (US 34) is the only east-west route through the park; the US 34 eastern
approach from I-25 and Loveland follows the Big Thompson River Canyon. The most dir-
ect route from Boulder follows US 36 through Lyons to the east entrances. Another ap-
proach from the south, mountainous Hwy 7, passes by Enos Mills' Cabin and provides ac-
cess to campsites and trailheads on the east side of the divide. Winter closure of US 34
through the park makes access to the park's west side dependent on US 40 at Granby.
There are two entrance stations on the east side: Fall River (US 34) and Beaver Mead-
ows (US 36). The Grand Lake Entrance Station (US 34) is the only entry on the west side.
Year-round access is available through Kawuneeche Valley along the Colorado River
