Rainbow Curve Overlook Colorado

Rainbow Curve Overlook in Trail Ridge Road

Rainbow Curve is 12.8 miles from the Beaver Meadows park entrance, lies on the outside edge of a wide switchback on Trail Ridge Road as it swings around a blunt ridge between Hidden Valley and Hanging Valley. This major viewpoint at 10,829 feet is just below timberline, the transition zone between a subalpine fir and spruce forest and the alpine tundra of grass and delicate wildflowers. The vista looks down on Horseshoe Park, an open grassy valley floored by twisting Fall River. 

At 10,829 feet elevation, Rainbow Curve Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park provides fantastic views of Hidden Valley, Horseshoe Park, Alluvial Fan, Fall River and the Beaver Ponds, and several prominent mountain peaks. It is one of the most popular overlooks in a park that's normally jam-packed with daytime visitors. 

The Rainbow Curve Overlook offers beautiful views of snowy peaks and green forested valleys below. It is about two miles above sea level at over 10,000 feet in elevation. Visitors can see parts of Trail Ridge Road down below. It is a very cool sight.

In summer, Road is open, we can continue up Trail Ridge Road for more overlooks. Forest Canyon Overlook views deep Forest Canyon and the Continental Divide. Rock Cut Overlook, two miles north of Forest Canyon Overlook, has views of the Continental Divide and Longs Peak. Gore Range Overlook has views of the distant Gore Range and the Never Summer Range. Milner Pass lies below Fall River Pass and Farview Curve Overlook gazes down the Kawuneeche Valley on the park’s west side.

Driving on the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is incredible. It is one of the most beautiful and amazing drives in the United States, but it is not for the faint of heart. It clings to the side of sheer cliffs as it runs 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake, Colorado.

The Trail Ridge Road and Rainbow Curve Overlook is usually open from May through October, depending on weather.