Alpine Visitor Center - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - a visitor center in the Rocky Mountains

Alpine Visitor Center is just one of approximately half a dozen visitor centers that are located in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The center itself is at an elevation of over eleven thousand feet above sea level. This is the Fall River Pass which is approximately two miles to the north of the highest spot on the Trail Ridge Road which is over fifty miles long so you should make a point to stop at the visitor's center for a rest when traveling this way. The center is accessible from the west and east entrances to the Rocky Mountain National Park. There are exhibits telling the area's natural history as well as an ample parking facility for the convenience of visitors.

There is a gift shop, information, restaurant and restrooms in the Alpine Visitors Center which is opens approximately on Memorial Day and stays open until about the middle of October or when the snow causes it to close. The usual operating hours of the Alpine Visitor Center are from ten thirty in the morning until four thirty in the afternoon as long as weather conditions are favorable. Beside the center visitors will find a building that contains both the Trail Ridge Store and Cafy in the Clouds where they can take a break for a meal or purchase souvenirs of their visit to the Rocky Mountains.

Fall River Road can be used to accesses the Alpine Visitor Center during the middle of the summer. The original building for the Alpine Visitor Center was built during 1936 and in 1938 the building was remodeled. During 1965 there were additions made to the center. During 2000 and 2001 the building underwent renovations. The facilities offer visitors a view of the Longs Peak, Estes Park and the Fall River from the southeast facing rear decks.

In addition to the other facilities at the Alpine Visitor Center there is also a short trail next to it to take visitors to the overlook which is at an elevation of 12,003 feet. Huffer's Hill which got its name due to the fact that people are usually winded by the time they reach it can be reached by a stairwell to the right of the Alpine Visitor's Center. The hill takes visitors to the lookout point where they have a view of the Rocky Mountains snow covered peaks. The air is rather thin on the trail so precautions should be taken; the walk down the trail is easier than the hike up the trail.

There are a number of trails, visitor centers and other amenities to make visitors comfortable in the Rocky Mountain National Park found in Colorado. The Alpine Visitor Center can provide visitors with additional information about the area and location of facilities in the park to help them make their visit more enjoyable. The center should be contacted directly to make sure of the operating hours and to make sure that the weather has not caused the center to close unexpectedly.