Date: June 30, 2017
Contact: Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer, (970) 586-1363
Contact: General Park Information, (970) 586-1206
Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is opening this afternoon, Friday, June 30, for the season. Old Fall River Road normally opens by the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This summer, during periods of high vehicle congestion, park staff may restrict vehicle access when needed on Old Fall River Road. Weather permitting, Old Fall River Road, Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store Parking Area will be closed August 1, 2 and 3 and again on August 17, while the Alpine Visitor Center parking area is being resurfaced and then striped.
Old Fall River Road will close for the season to vehicles on Monday, October 2, for annual maintenance, and reopen to bicycles and pedestrians from October 7 through November 30. On December 1, the road will revert to trail status.
Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which travels from Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one-way only. Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited on the road.
For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
