# Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs

> 3-day road trip of about 196 km (122 mi) with 9 stops, from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs. About 2 h 10 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b18-rocky-mountain-west-steamboat/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 196 km (122 mi) with 9 stops, from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs. About 2 h 10 min of driving in total. Over Trail Ridge Road into the quiet Kawuneeche Valley, then through Grand Lake and ranch country to Steamboat Springs.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 196 km (122 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 10 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Estes Park → Steamboat Springs |
| States | CO |
| Updated | May 15, 2026 |

## Route description

From Estes Park, enter Rocky Mountain National Park and take Trail Ridge Road, which climbs to 3,713 m over the tundra. In summer, a timed-entry reservation is needed for most of the day. The road is usually open from late May to mid-October. It is fine for motorhomes but has no guard rails in places, and afternoon thunderstorms are common, so start early.

After crossing the Continental Divide at Milner Pass, the road descends into the Kawuneeche Valley, the source of the Colorado River. Moose are often seen in the willows. Stop at the Holzwarth Historic Site, an old dude ranch, and consider camping at Timber Creek Campground. The park road leaves at the Grand Lake entrance, and the town of Grand Lake sits on the shore of Colorado’s largest natural lake.

From the East Inlet trailhead at the edge of town, it is a short walk to Adams Falls. Then drive south on US-34 past Lake Granby to Granby, and west on US-40 through Hot Sulphur Springs and the narrow Byers Canyon to Kremmling, a ranching town with fuel and groceries. This section follows the young Colorado River through open country.

US-40 then turns north across Muddy Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass, where the road runs through meadows and forest before a long descent to Steamboat Springs. The town has hot springs, a historic main street and a ski area. Fish Creek Falls is a short drive east of town, reached by a paved road and a short path from the parking lot.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Estes Park** (CO)
2. **Trail Ridge Road** (Estes Park, CO): The highest continuous paved road in the US, topping out at 12,183 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. Usually open from Memorial Day to mid-October.
3. **Holzwarth Historic Site** (Grand Lake, CO): A 1920s dude ranch in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Kawuneeche Valley, reached by an easy 800 m walk from Trail Ridge Road. Moose often graze along the young Colorado River nearby, especially in the early morning.
4. **Adams Falls** (Grand Lake, CO): A short walk from the East Inlet trailhead at Grand Lake to a waterfall squeezed through a granite gorge. Trailhead parking is small and fills by mid-morning.
5. **Grand Lake** (CO)
6. **Kremmling** (CO)
7. **Rabbit Ears Pass** (Steamboat Springs, CO): US-40 crosses the Continental Divide here, named after a twin rock formation visible north of the road. Summer meadows and small lakes line the top, followed by a long, steep grade down to Steamboat Springs.
8. **Fish Creek Falls** (Steamboat Springs, CO): A 85 m waterfall a short paved walk from the parking lot, 5 km east of downtown Steamboat. Busy in summer; a day fee applies.
9. **Steamboat Springs** (CO)

## FAQs

**How long is Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs?**
3-day road trip of about 196 km (122 mi) with 9 stops, from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs. About 2 h 10 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 10 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs start and end?**
It starts in Estes Park and ends in Steamboat Springs.

**Which states does Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs pass through?**
Colorado.