Rocky Mountain National Park to Grand Lake: Highest road tour

Cross the Continental Divide on the highest continuous road in America

An all-day guided tour of Rocky Mountain National Park that travels the highest continuous road in the continental US, crossing the alpine tundra and the Continental Divide to reach the remote Grand Lake side of the park. Your licensed guide meets you at your hotel or specified pickup point and shapes the day around your interests: short hikes to waterfalls, stops at a preserved homestead, wildlife viewing, and frequent photo breaks. Timed park entry is included. The National Park Pass is approximately $15 per person.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rocky Mountain National Park scenic tour

• Meet guide at pickup point
• Travel highest continuous road above timberline
• Cross Continental Divide
• Stop for photos and sightseeing
• Take short hikes to waterfalls or homestead
• Observe wildlife and wildflowers

The experience

The drive itself is the route: you'll travel above timberline onto alpine tundra and across the Continental Divide on a road that sits higher than almost any other continuous highway in the country. Your guide handles all the driving while you watch the landscape shift from forest to open alpine meadow, with panoramic views unfolding at every turn. The guide stops often to talk about the wildlife you might spot and the wildflowers that blanket the tundra, and you'll have chances to photograph the sights without the pressure of navigating or finding a safe place to pull over.

The day is built around what interests you. If you want to hike, the guide can take you to waterfalls or other short trails. If you'd rather stay closer to the road, you can walk through the buildings of a preserved homestead that sits on the park's remote side. The guide is licensed and accredited, speaks English, and designs each tour around the group's pace and preferences, so a day of mostly driving and viewing is just as valid as one that includes a couple of hikes.

The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the park entrance. Timed entry to Rocky Mountain National Park is included in the booking. The National Park Pass fee of approximately $15 per person is separate.

What’s included

• Hotel or specified pickup point pickup.
• transportation in a vehicle with a licensed guide.
• timed entry to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• frequent stops for photography and wildlife viewing.
• optional short hikes to waterfalls or walks through a preserved homestead, depending on your interests.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Tour Estes Park

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and narrates the drive, so you follow the commentary comfortably while sitting in the vehicle. This suits anyone who wants to see the park's highest elevations and remote side without driving the winding alpine road themselves, whether you're interested in a mostly scenic day or one that includes a couple of short walks.

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Top questions

What is the Continental Divide and why does crossing it matter on this tour?

The Continental Divide is the ridge that separates water flowing toward the Atlantic from water flowing toward the Pacific. Crossing it on this tour takes you from the busier, forested east side of Rocky Mountain National Park to the more remote west side near Grand Lake, and the landscape changes dramatically as you climb above timberline onto alpine tundra.

Can I get out of the vehicle and hike, or is this mostly a driving tour?

You can do both. The guide can stop for short hikes to waterfalls or other trailheads if you want, or you can spend the day viewing from the road and stopping to photograph. The tour is designed around your interests, so you decide how much walking fits your comfort level.

What kind of wildlife might I see on this tour?

The guide will talk about the wildlife you might encounter on the alpine tundra and throughout the park, and you'll have frequent stops to watch for animals and photograph them. The specific wildlife depends on the season and time of day, but the guide knows where to look and what to expect.

Is the National Park Pass the same as the timed entry included in this tour?

Timed entry to Rocky Mountain National Park is included in your booking. The National Park Pass, which costs approximately $15 per person, is a separate fee you pay at the gate or in advance.

How much of the day is spent driving versus hiking or walking?

The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total, and most of that time is spent on the road crossing the park and stopping to view, photograph and talk about the landscape. Hikes and walks are short and optional, so you control how much time you spend out of the vehicle.