lookout points and views

Although the whole trail is a glorious visual experience there are some points which are particularly spectacular and the park services have set up facilities for visitors to enjoy the amazing scenic views.

Deer Ridge Junction 8,940 ft – the official start of the road and marker #1
Hidden Valley 9240 – closed ski resort – marker #2
Beaver Ponds East
Many Parks Curve e 9620 – marker #3
Rainbow Curve (elevation 10,830ft – or just over two miles_ = marker #4
Forest Canyon
Rock Cut (elevation 12,090)
Tundra Communities Trailhead
Iceburg Pass
Lava Cliffs
Highest Point on the Road
Gore Range
Alpine Visitor Center elevation 11,796
Medicine Bow Curve
Milner Pass
Continental Divide
Lake Irene picnic area
Fairview Curve
Colorado River Trailhead
Timber Lake Trailhead
Beaver Ponds West
Timber Creek
Holzwarth Historic Site and Guest Ranch
Bowen / Baker Trailhead
Coyote Valley Trailhead
Onahu Trailhead
Green Mountain Trailhead
Harbison Meadows Picnic site
Grand Lake Entrance Station
Kawuneeche Visitor Center

From the West
Driving west from Estes Parks the first such major lookout point is about 10 miles out of town and is named Many Parks Curve after the many parts of the park you can see!

Coming from town drive around the curve itself, even while trying to keep your eyes on the road, and just past the curve is a place to park safely off the road. You can then walk back to the big sweep of the curve. Signboards explain the view and let you appreciate what you are seeing from the edge of the road.

In normal years it should be possible to drive as far Many parks Curve even when the rest of the road is closed for the winter as the gate is not closed until the next major point, rainbow curve

From the East
Heading out of Grand Lake northwards along Highway 34 is though the Kawuneeche Valley for the first part before starting to climb the mountains. The first major lookout point is Fairview Curve at 10,120 feet where you can look down the valley. It is about 16 miles drive outside of Grand Lake.

Due to heavy snowfall the parking area and historic rock wall at Fiarview Curve were damaged in the 2010/2011 winter but repair work has been done during the summer and the area is now reopened.

From the curve you can see the Never Summer Mountains, the streams that form the headerwaters of the Colorado river, and Holzwarths ranch – a historic guest ranch in the style of the 1920s.

Highest lookout Point

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