Directions & Transportation

Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 415 square miles of north central Colorado. The park has two gateway communities: the town of Estes Park on the east and the town of Grand Lake on the west.

• Car
  • From the east
  • From the west
• Plane
• Bus
• Public Transportation

 

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By Car

 

Know Before You Go

Trail Ridge Road is closed from approximately mid-October through late-May.

GPS apps and units don't always give accurate directions inside the park. Pick up a free park map when you enter the park or stop by any visitor center to ask for directions.

• Check road conditions outside the park
• Check road conditions inside the park
• Review, download, or print maps of the park

 

Driving Directions from the East

From Denver via Boulder/Hwy 36

Distance: 66 mi 106 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-25 north to Exit 217 (US Hwy 36) to Estes Park

From Denver via Hwy 66

Distance: 71 mi 114 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-25 north to Exit 243 (Hwy 66) to Estes Park

From Denver via the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way

Distance: 108 mi 174 km
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Take I-70 west to Exit 244 (US Hwy 6) to State Highway 119 to Nederland. From Nederland take State Hwy 72 to State Hwy 7 to Estes Park.

From Loveland via Hwy 34

US 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon between Loveland and Estes Park is now open to all traffic. Construction will continue in the canyon this summer and throughout the fall, and drivers could encounter up to 20-minute delays until paving and final touches are completed. Learn more.

 

Driving Directions from the West

From I-70 west of Denver

Distance: 61 mi 98 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-70 to exit 232 (Empire) to US Hwy 40 to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake. During the winter, US Hwy 40 can close or have restrictions due to snow.

From Kremmling / Hwy 40

Distance: 42 mi / 66 km
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Take US Hwy 40 east to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake.

 

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By Plane

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport. There is no public transportation from the airport to the park. Commercial shuttle service is available from the airport to Estes Park.

 

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By Bus

The Denver area and Granby are both served by Greyhound bus service. There is no public transportation from Denver or Granby to the park.

 

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By Public Transportation

There is no public transportation from the Denver area to the east or west sides of the park. Estes Park provides free public transportation during the summer with connections to Rocky's shuttle system.