Old Fall River Road in Colorado finally has an opening date for 2024 season

The wait is finally over for Rocky Mountain National Park's Old Fall River Road to open for the 2024 season.

Spring opening operations for Old Fall River Road will continue beginning at 6 a.m., Thursday, with the road closed to all uses, including bicycles and pedestrians, for dust abatement through Saturday, according to Park officials in a statement Wednesday.

However, Old Fall River Road will open for the season to vehicles on Sunday, giving travelers and tourists access to the historic road.

The one-way only road normally opens to vehicles in early July; slightly ahead of schedule in 2024.

Old Fall River Road's history goes back over a century, with the road built between 1913 and 1920. It is located on the east side (Estes Park side) of Rocky Mountain National Park and provides access to the Alpine Visitor Center near the top of Trail Ridge Road (US-34), which is the highest paved continuous highway in the United States.

"It is an unpaved road which starts next to Endovalley Picnic Area and ends at the top of Fall River Pass and merges with Trail Ridge Road at Alpine Visitor Center," park service officials said. "This road follows the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face, and due to the narrow and winding nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route is one-way uphill only."

Some restrictions do apply for automobile travel.

• Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited from traveling on Old Fall River Road.

• During certain hours of the day, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park will need a timed entry reservation.

• There are two reservation options available: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road. Timed Entry Reservations are required to enter the park between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These reservations provide access to areas of Rocky Mountain National Park located outside of the Bear Lake Road corridor, including access to Old Fall River Road. To learn more visit https://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry .

For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park's Information Office at 970-586-1206.