Glass-Top Van Tour & Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Ride high-alpine roads with a glass-top Sprinter and short hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Duration
4 Hours
Includes
Guide, Snacks, Hot drinks
Highlights
Tour Rocky Mountain National Park in a panoramic Sprinter with a retractable glass roof, plus time for a short hike or two. Learn about the park’s science, history, and animals as you travel above the trees.
- Ride above tree line to viewpoints over two miles above sea level
- Travel Old Fall River Road in season (July 4 weekend to first weekend in October)
- Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center for a midway break
- Cross Trail Ridge Road and reach up to 12,183 feet when accessible
- Take short hikes to see waterfalls, snowmelt, and glaciers
What's Included
- Coffee
- Hot drinks
- Refreshments
- Snacks
Things to know
If Old Fall River Road is closed, Trail Ridge Road is used both up and down, with the turnaround at the highest accessible point.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Product ID: RXE2XG
FAQs
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
From July 4th weekend until the first weekend in October, the tour travels up Old Fall River Road. If Old Fall River Road is closed for the season or other reasons, Trail Ridge Road is used to go both up and down, and the highest accessible point becomes the turnaround.
You take a halfway break at the Alpine Visitor Center, where you’ll find a cafeteria and a large gift shop.
Meeting details
Purple Points Tour Company, 165 Virginia Dr #2, Estes Park, CO 80517
More about the Alpine Visitor Center
The Alpine Visitor Center sits at 11,796 feet above sea level along Trail Ridge Road, making it one of the highest visitor centers in the entire National Park Service system. Perched in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park's alpine tundra zone, the Alpine Visitor Center marks a dramatic turning point on this scenic drive, where the dense lodgepole pine forests give way to a windswept world of wildflowers, marmots, and panoramic views that stretch across the Continental Divide. The thin mountain air, the cool breeze even in summer, and the sense of standing on the roof of the Rockies all combine to make this stop one of the most memorable moments of the day.
On this guided scenic drive and short hikes tour, the Alpine Visitor Center serves as both a rest point and a launching pad for exploration. Guests can step inside to learn about the fragile alpine ecosystem, browse the exhibits about the park's wildlife and geology, or grab a hot drink to take the chill off. Just outside, the short Alpine Ridge Trail climbs a steep paved path to a viewpoint where, on clear days, you can see ridgelines rolling toward the horizon in every direction. Watch for elk grazing in the distance, pikas darting between rocks, and yellow-bellied marmots sunning themselves near the trail. The contrast between the lush meadows lower in the park and the stark, treeless tundra at the Alpine Visitor Center is striking, and your guide will help bring the science and stories of this transition to life.
This stop is perfect for travelers who want a manageable taste of high-altitude adventure without the demands of a full backcountry hike. Families with curious kids, photographers chasing sweeping vistas, first-time visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park, and anyone who simply wants to say they stood nearly 12,000 feet above sea level will find the Alpine Visitor Center a true highlight. It is the kind of place that turns a beautiful day in the Rockies into an unforgettable one.
