Old Fall River Road

Total Miles
8.9

Elevation

3,594.69 ft

Duration

1.5 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

Bring your camera and visit Chasm Falls. Drive above the timberline on winding switchbacks, then visit Estes Park where you can get up close to elk (not too close), shop and have a great meal. A fee is required to enter the park. This road is open July 4 and closes with the first heavy snowfall. No unlicensed vehicles.

Difficulty

Easy. Smooth gravel road suitable for ordinary passenger cars.

History

Old Fall River Road, built in the early 1920s, was the first auto road over the Continental Divide. It was originally only 14 ft. wide and some vehicles had to back up to make the tight turns. The original first 3 miles of the route was built by convicts using hand tools. Today's modern route is Watch for hikers and bikers along road. much wider, but still remains dirt and gravel.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Joyal George
Feb 18, 2024
2016 Toyota 4Runner
Temporarily Closed
Seasonal Closure
Tanner Voss
Oct 04, 2023
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Seasonal Closure
Manny C
Aug 27, 2023
2023 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Normal
Chris D
Aug 10, 2023
4x4
Open
Dusty
Normal

Access Description

Head west from Estes Park on Highway 36. Go 3.4 miles past Beaver Meadows Toll Entrance and turn right on Hwy. 34. Go north 1.7 miles and follow signs to Old Fall River Road on left. Proceed west another 1.7 miles on paved road to start of dirt road.

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