Well, first off if you need any restroom breaks I'd highly recommend stopping in the Visitor Centers located before the Entry Stations. Nice, clean facilities there. Otherwise in the Park you will mostly have the good 'ol chemical toilets.

Now, I usually head in by way of the Fall River area, or the north entrance of the park. Hopefully you will be able to get in without too much of a line. If you're here in summer, there will be more vacationers, tourists, and a few Colorado locals all lined up and ready to get in. The 4th of July holiday can be one of the busiest times of year here. If you're coming in winter, chances are you will not see more than 10 other cars the whole time.

Keep an eye out for the wildlife, they aren't tame, but they are used to people. Elk, chipmunks, and coyotes are common on the roads. Take it slow, enjoy the scenery. After the first stretch of road, you will come up to the Sheep Lakes, you may see some bighorn down on the flats grazing, and if it's not too hot you will see some elk also.

The next branch off to the west leads you to the Endovalley, and the Alluvial Fan. There are some great picnic areas as well as trout fishing in the Roaring River and the Fall River. Read more about the Alluvial Fan HERE. At the western part of Endovalley, you can follow the Old Fall River Road up to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park. But that trip we will do in OVER THE TOP.

If you head back to Sheep Lakes and follow the road, it will take you up and around a few turns. Along the way there are a few pull-offs where you can see the bird's eye view of Sheep Lakes and Horseshoe Park. As you follow the road up more, you will come to the Deer Ridge Junction. Here the road goes to HWY 34 west, up Trail Ridge Road, or to HWY 36 east, to the Beaver Meadows.

At the Deer Ridge Junction there is parking available for a few trails. On the north of the road are Deer Mountain,and Horseshoe Park trails. To the south lies trails heading to the Upper Beaver Meadows.

As you head east on HWY 36 you wind back down the mountains be sure to enjoy the great pull-offs to view the wildlife from. If you choose to take the dirt road off to the west, you will see the Upper Beaver Meadows, more wildlife viewing and picnic areas. As you proceed down farther, you can head to the Beaver Meadows park exit (you're not ready to go yet are you?) or head farther south for more of the mountains.

The road south brings you to Moraine Park, camping, trailheads, trout fishing, picnic areas, and the Moraine Park Museum. At the Museum, you can also take the Bear Lake Road. Along the Bear Lake Road there are many trails, as well as Glacier Basin and Sprague Lake. If you go all the way to Bear Lake, be sure to take the quick hike around it.

Now you're ready to head back up to Trail Ridge Road.