Old Fall River Road — Endovalley to Fall River Pass
The first road across the Rockies, still gravel.
This road predates Trail Ridge Road and was the first automobile route across the Rockies, opened in 1920 and built partly by convict labor. It runs uphill only, nine miles of narrow gravel climbing from Endovalley through spruce-fir forest past Chasm Falls, then up a string of switchbacks above treeline. The tundra up top is where you’ll see elk, marmots, and pikas, and the final stretch to Fall River Pass at 11,796 ft ends at the Alpine Visitor Center. The surface is graded gravel with washboard and a few drop-offs with no guardrails. Pullouts are tight, and you’ll want to take your time on the hairpins.
Any high-clearance vehicle with decent tires will do it, and plenty of stock SUVs do. There’s a 25-foot vehicle length limit, no trailers, and the road is closed to downhill traffic, so you return via Trail Ridge Road. It usually opens in early July after plowing, and the park closes it with the first heavy snow, usually late September or October. You’ll need park entry, and timed-entry reservations may apply, so check the NPS site before you drive. There’s no dispersed camping and no fuel up there, so top off in Estes Park. It’s a short, easy way to feel the high country. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9 mi / 14.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11796 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance, under 25 ft, no trailers |
| Nearest town | Estes Park, Colorado |
| Land manager | National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | NPS Old Fall River Road page NPS road conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner do Old Fall River Road?
Yes. The road is graded gravel with washboard and some potholes, so a stock 4Runner or similar high-clearance rig handles it fine. 4WD isn't the issue. The limits are vehicle size (under 25 ft) and no trailers.
When does Old Fall River Road open and close for the season?
It typically opens around early July once the snow is cleared and closes with the first heavy snow in late September or early October. Dates shift every year, so check the NPS road conditions page before you drive up from Estes Park.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Old Fall River Road?
The road is inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so you pay the park entrance fee. During peak season the park may also require a timed-entry reservation, so check the NPS site for current rules before you go. No separate permit is needed for the road itself.
What's the hardest part of Old Fall River Road?
The upper switchbacks above treeline. The road is narrow with steep drop-offs, few or no guardrails, and tight turns, and the altitude tops out at 11,796 ft. It's one-way uphill, so you won't meet oncoming traffic, but slow down and use pullouts if you want to let faster drivers pass.
Can I drive back down Old Fall River Road, and what's at the top?
No. The road is one-way uphill only. At Fall River Pass you'll find the Alpine Visitor Center, and you return to Estes Park via paved Trail Ridge Road. Fuel up in Estes Park and expect spotty cell service. Weather changes fast up high, so bring layers.
Trail track
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