Two pieces of news that are pulling in opposite directions for Colorado mountain visitors this summer. The good news: Trail Ridge Road — the highest continuous paved road in the United States, crossing Rocky Mountain National Park at 12,183 feet — is open and fully accessible. The critical news: Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across most of Colorado’s public lands, with some areas already escalated to Stage 2.
Trail Ridge Road: Open as of May 22
Rocky Mountain National Park confirmed Trail Ridge Road opened for the 2026 season on May 22 — slightly earlier than the typical late-May/early-June window, due to lower-than-average snowpack on the high-altitude sections. The road runs 48 miles from Estes Park on the east to Grand Lake on the west, with the high tundra section peaking above treeline.
What’s accessible:
- Alpine Visitor Center (11,796 ft) — open and staffed; the highest visitor center in the National Park system
- Rock Cut pullout (12,110 ft) — the best above-treeline hiking access on the road, with the Tundra Communities Trail
- Forest Canyon Overlook — the canyon views that define the road’s visual drama
- Milner Pass (10,758 ft) — the Continental Divide crossing
Current driving conditions are good. The road is plowed and clear. However, afternoon thunderstorms are already building by late June — carry layers even for car-based trips along the road, and don’t attempt above-treeline hiking in the afternoon once summer weather patterns establish (typically mid-July through late August).
Timed entry permits are required to access the Bear Lake Road corridor and the entrance stations during peak hours (9am–3pm). Book at recreation.gov. Trail Ridge Road itself doesn’t require a separate permit beyond the standard park entry fee ($35/vehicle, annual pass recommended if visiting multiple parks).
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions: What’s Restricted
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across Colorado’s Front Range, Rocky Mountain region, and most of the Western Slope. Here’s what Stage 1 actually means in practical terms:
Prohibited under Stage 1:
- Campfires outside of developed campgrounds with designated fire rings (even with a fire ring, the local restriction may override — check campground-specific rules)
- Charcoal grills outside designated grill areas
- Smoking except in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or developed recreation sites
- Fireworks — already banned on all federal lands regardless of restrictions, but Stage 1 reinforces this
Still permitted under Stage 1:
- Propane/gas camp stoves (liquid fuel stoves are also permitted)
- Campfires in developed campgrounds where the restriction explicitly permits it (varies by campground — check at check-in)
- BBQ grills that use propane or liquid fuel
Stage 2 areas (more restrictive): Parts of southern Colorado and some Western Slope national forests have already moved to Stage 2, which bans all open flames including gas stoves on some land units. If you’re camping in the San Juan National Forest, Rio Grande National Forest, or Gunnison National Forest, verify current restriction level at inciweb.nwcg.gov before you go.
Why This Matters for Specific Trips
For Estes Park visitors camping in Rocky Mountain National Park: the campgrounds within the park operate under NPS rules, which follow a slightly different restriction framework than state and forest service land. As of early June, campfire use is still permitted at designated campfire rings within RMNP campgrounds. This can change — check nps.gov/romo for current campfire status before your trip.
For backcountry campers: the high-elevation backcountry in RMNP is generally above tree line and campfires are essentially never appropriate there regardless of restrictions. Gas stoves are the standard.
For car campers in Roosevelt or Arapaho National Forests (the lands immediately adjacent to RMNP): Stage 1 is in effect. Bring a propane stove; don’t count on building a fire.
The Timed Entry System: Book Now
Separate from the fire restrictions — Rocky Mountain National Park’s timed entry permit system is active and competitive. The Bear Lake Road corridor (the most popular hiking access point, with Emerald Lake, Dream Lake, and the core trailheads) requires a permit for entry between 9am and 3pm from late May through mid-October.
Permits release two weeks in advance on recreation.gov and typically sell out within minutes of release. If you’re visiting between now and September:
- Go to recreation.gov now and book the Bear Lake corridor permit for your target date
- If sold out, check daily — cancellations happen
- Alternatively, plan your Bear Lake hike to start before 9am or after 3pm (no permit required outside the window)
- The Beaver Meadows entrance and Trail Ridge Road itself don’t require timed permits
The park draws roughly 4.5 million visitors per year. The timed entry system has meaningfully reduced peak-hour crowding on Bear Lake Road since its introduction — it’s worth working around.