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The Alpine Visitor Center is roughly the halfway point of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a good place to stop and rest before continuing the rest of the drive.
The visitor center has a seasonal snack bar and gift shop along with a trail and some exhibits. There are also some great views.
Museum
An interesting thing to do at the visitor center is to visit the museum to learn about the wildlife that calls Rocky Mountain National Park home. Migration patterns, hibernation, and coping with the harsh weather conditions are covered.
The Ute people (4,000 BC), and later the Apache (1500s) and Arapaho (1800s), settled in what is now Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also learn about their story, their connection to the wilderness, and how they lived off the land.
Alpine Ridge Trail
Just outside of the visitor center is the short Alpine Ridge Trail. It takes you to an elevation of 12,005 feet and offers 360 degree views.
At the top, you’ll see the effects of climate change on the park as explained through an interpretive panel. You’ll also get a great view of the visitor center.
