Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., opened for the season Friday morning, although the Alpine Visitor Center and the Trail Ridge Store remain closed.
Trail Ridge connects Estes Park to Grand Lake in Grand County, crossing the Continental Divide and topping out at 12,183 feet. Plow drivers began clearing snow in mid-April.
The Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge store remain closed while park staff and the concessionaire get those buildings ready for visitors.
Although the road is a federal highway (U.S. 34), travelers are required to pay $30 for a one-day vehicle pass, or secure another valid park entry pass, and timed-entry reservations are required through recreation.gov. Non-U.S. residents are required to pay an additional $100.
Adverse weather in the alpine environment can cause temporary closures of the road. Visitors can check road status by calling a recording at 970-586-1222.
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