Snowy mountain view from Old Fall River Road

Driving Old Fall River Road is one of our favorite experiences in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a “can’t miss”, nine-mile drive up an easy gravel road to the top of the park. We drove it twice the last time we were in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Published October 24, 2023…Updated January 6, 2025

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Overview: Old Fall River Road

Fall River Road was the first auto road to provide access to this area of the Rocky Mountains. It was built from 1913 to 1920 and followed the general route taken by the Ute and Arapaho tribes to cross the Rockies.

Here are the quick details…

  • Distance – 9.0 miles (The road is one-way. You will return to Estes Park via Trail Ridge Road, which is another 26 miles.)
  • Duration – Approximately 2.0 hours (This does not include the return on Trail Ridge Road.)
  • Difficulty – Easy. The road is constantly climbing, but it is wide and well-maintained.
  • Restrooms – Yes, at the visitor centers at the beginning and the end of the road.

And here are 11 reasons we love Old Fall River Road – we think you’ll love it, too!

1. Fall River Visitor Center

Old Fall River Road begins on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park at the Fall River Visitor Center. The visitor center has several interesting exhibits, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They shared all sorts of useful information with us – driving conditions, what to look for, weather forecasts, park maps, etc…

Fall River Visitor Center

There is also a larger souvenir store and restaurant next to the visitor center. The Trailhead Restaurant serves both a full breakfast and a full lunch, including regional specialties like elk and bison. There’s even an ice cream and coffee shop.

The souvenir shop offers lots of things to buy – tee shirts, mugs, crafts, etc… I saw several things I wanted, but narrowed it down to a hat and a tee. Such discipline…

Restrooms are also available before you begin your drive.

2. Alluvial Fan

Alluvial Fan at Old Fall River Road

Just past the visitor center, you will see the Alluvial Fan, a large, fan-shaped boulder field caused by a break in the Lawn Lake dam in 1982. There are two places to enter the fan, an east entrance, and a west entrance, just 0.3 miles apart. Stop at both!

Alluvial Fan at Old Fall River Road

The landscape here is both interesting and beautiful. We appreciated the signage that explained the geology and history of the area. Walkways run through both the east and west sides of the fan. Be sure you see the cascades – very pretty!

This is a great place for photo opps! And it’s also very kid-friendly. Ample parking is available at both entrances.

3. Chasm Falls

Chasm Falls on the Old Fall River Road

Next up is Chasm Falls, a short 5-minute drive from Alluvial Fan. There is a parking area here that leads to a short (0.2-mile roundtrip) walk down to the falls. There is a viewing platform with steps leading down to the side of the river.

Viewing Platform over Fall River just below Chasm Falls

Chasm Falls is a 25′ drop formed by the Fall River. It cuts through a narrow slot in the rock, creating a powerful scene. Look for the birds flying close to the falls, as well as small “rainbows” formed by the light shining on the water mist. More photo opps!

4. Wildflowers and Trees

Wildflowers in bloom on Old Fall River Road

The plant life on Old Fall River Road is just gorgeous. Native plants of so many colors line the road – Giant Indian Paintbrush, Henderson’s Shooting Star, Mountain Daisies. (Sorry for nerding out a bit…)

A little over five miles into the drive we came to a spot on the left side of the road with several short trails leading down to Fall River. The area was home to mounds of Jacob’s Ladder, a beautiful little purple flower.

Jacob's Ladder in bloom on Old Fall River Road

Take time to notice the trees bordering the road. Pines, spruce, fir – conifers in all shapes, sizes, and hues. We felt like we were at a giant Christmas tree farm!

5. Pullouts on Old Fall River Road

You will appreciate the numerous pullouts along the road where you can stop and take photos, or just enjoy the view. They are also a good place to let an impatient “tailgater” pass you. One suggestion – bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy while you take in the views. And speaking of the views…

6. The Views

Snowfields near the top of Old Fall River Road

The views as you climb the road are simply stunning. Mountains and valleys spread out before you like a scene from a travel brochure. During the summer, you will see small waterfalls/cascades formed by snowmelt. And the sky is so blue!

Jagged peaks above Old Fall River Road

7. The Weather

At this point on the drive, you will begin to notice the change in the weather. It’s getting colder! At 7.5 miles into the drive we were almost completely covered in clouds, with very little visibility. (We were always able to see the road in front of us, just not the views around us.)

Clouds on the mountains near Alpine Visitor Center

And then, in the middle of the summer, it began to snow! We are from the south, so we were very excited about this development! The moral of the story – you might want to bring along a coat.

The weather in the alpine regions of the park is unpredictable. It’s always a good idea to stop at the visitor center to get an update on the weather/driving conditions.

8. Wildlife on Old Fall River Road

Keep your eyes open for wildlife along the way. Elk, mountain goats/sheep, bears, marmots, pika, etc live all over the park, including around Old Fall River Rd. (That’s another reason to drive slowly – you never know what’s going to step out in the road in front of you!)

Three elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

9. Alpine Visitor Center

About two hours into your drive you’ll reach Alpine Visitor Center, one of the highest areas in the park at 11,796′ elevation. (You’ll notice this when you step outside of your vehicle – first, because it’s more difficult to breathe at this altitude, and second because it’s about 20 degrees colder here than when you began this drive!)

Alpine Visitor Center

There’s a large parking lot here, and restrooms. (Beware – the water in the lavatories is COLD!) The visitor center is small and BUSY! Browse the tee shirts, hats, and other souvenirs. Grab a map. Visit with a ranger. The staff is very friendly!

Wander over to the observation deck here and take in the wonderful views. Photo opp!

View of snowfields from Alpine Visitor Center

There is a store and cafe located next to the visitor center, with a wide variety of souvenirs and quick dining options, such as burgers, pizza, hotdogs, etc. There is also a good bit of seating for dining. The dining area has gorgeous views of the surrounding area.

The store offers a wide selection of goods, clothing, snacks, native crafts,…you can even buy a can of oxygen if you’re feeling a little lightheaded from the altitude!

10. Alpine Ridge Trail

View of mountains in the distance

Just across the road from the visitor center is Alpine Ridge Trail. The trail is only 0.6 miles in total, and it is paved. But…

Alpine Ridge climbs 169′ up a steep incline. That’s not too much, but you’re starting at 11,769 above sea level. The elevation makes it deceivingly difficult because it’s hard to breathe when you’re this high! It’s also fairly crowded, but the 360-degree views make it worthwhile.

(Full Disclosure: We chose to skip this short hike, and instead, grabbed a hotdog and sat in the warm cafe to catch our breath! Don’t judge us, please.)

11. Trail Ridge Road

Alpine Visitor Center is at the end of the Old Fall River Road, but you can’t just turn around and go back the way you came – it’s a one-way road. The way back is Trail Ridge Road, which is an adventure all by itself!

At the far end of the parking lot at Alpine Visitor Center you will intersect Trail Ridge Road. If you go right it will take you all the way to Grand Lake on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Left will take you back to the Beaver Creek Visitor Center, and then on to Estes Park.

View of mountains from Trail Ridge Road

Unlike Old Fall River Road, Trail Ridge Road is paved. Either direction will treat you to more views, hikes, wildlife, lakes, and more, including (if you turn to the right) the trailhead to Dream Lake, one of the iconic locations in the park. Other stops include Rock Cut, the Tundra Communities Trail, Rainbow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook (look for marmots here!), and Hidden Valley.

How to Get to Old Fall River Road

Old Fall River Road begins just past the Fall River Visitor Center, at the Fall River Entrance Station. It’s only 4.5 miles from Estes Park, CO – a nine-minute drive.

(Click on the map below for directions.)

Map showing directions from Estes Park, CO to Fall River Visitor Center

FAQs About Old Fall River Road

Here are a few things you need to know about this experience…

  • Is Old Fall River Road worth it? Absolutely! There is so much to see along this drive. We consider it a “must do” in Rocky Mountain National Park!
  • Will my kids enjoy this drive? This drive offers several things kids will enjoy – snow, animals, Chasm Falls, the Alluvial Fan. On the way back on Trail Ridge Rd there are numerous places to stop, walk around, spot animals, and explore.
  • Is the road open year-round? No, it closes seasonally due to inclement weather. Check the National Park Service website for up-to-date info.
Small herd of elk
  • Can I drive my RV on Old Fall River Road? Vehicles longer than 25′ in length and vehicles with trailers are NOT allowed on the road due to sharp switchback turns along the route.
  • How long does it take to drive up Old Fall River Road? It took us just under two hours, including stopping for multiple photo opps, as well as stops at Alluvial Fan and Chasm Falls.
  • Is this drive safe? Yes, it is! The road is wide. It is one-way, so you don’t have to worry about approaching traffic. It is well-maintained by the park service and is only open when conditions are safe for driving.
Old Fall River Road
  • Can I go anytime during the day? Rocky Mountain National Park utilizes a Timed Entry System during the summer and fall months. You may not enter the park anytime between 9:00am and 2:00pm without a valid pass. (This is a pilot program that is subject to change.) Visit the Recreation.gov site to learn more and obtain a pass.
  • Will my car make it? Almost certainly! Four-wheel drive is not necessary. We saw cars of every shape and size on the road. It is gravel, but it is not very steep, and the road is well-maintained. If you have concerns, stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. They can give you weather info, road conditions, and advise whether you should continue.

The Verdict – Old Fall River Road

There you have it – 11 Reasons We Love Old Fall River Road! We HIGHLY recommend taking a drive up Old Fall River Road when you’re in the Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s an easy drive. You never have to leave your vehicle if you don’t want to. It’s beautiful. The views are stunning. And there’s hot chocolate at the visitor center at the top. Enjoy!

Mountaintops seen from Old Fall River Road

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The Author

Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of National Park Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers maximize their own national park ventures.
Jeff and Mary Ellen have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in the mountains outside Blue Ridge, GA.