Get ready for a drive above the clouds on America's highest continuous paved road. This 48-mile journey across Rocky Mountain National Park takes you far above the treeline into a breathtaking world of alpine tundra. You'll want to pull over constantly for the jaw dropping views of distant peaks and to spot wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep grazing on the vast meadows. Be sure to stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest in the National Park System, and maybe take a short, gentle walk on the Tundra Communities Trail to truly experience this unique, high elevation world.

Insider Tips:

• Opened late May - October. Closed during winter.

• Start early and bring layers. You’ll climb above 12,000 feet, and it can be 30–40 degrees cooler and much windier at the top than in Estes Park.

• Stop at the overlooks, not just the big ones. Some of the best alpine views and wildlife sightings are at the smaller pullouts that most people drive right past.

• Keep your eyes peeled for elk, marmots, and bighorn sheep. Early morning and evening are your best chances to spot wildlife along the road.