Rockslide
Campground
Campground · 2.9 mi from the trail
Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park
Milner Pass
Photo: Thomson M — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)- Jun, Sep
- best months
Is Milner Pass open right now?
Road closed
US 34: Milner Pass is listed as closed by CDOT 511 (2 listed).
US 34: Milner Pass
Closed · ~0.1 km from Milner Pass · CDOT 511
US 34: road closure
Closed · ~0.0 km from Milner Pass · CDOT 511
Prescribed Fire Operations are Underway near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Park closure covering Rocky Mountain National Park · NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park
As of · Source: CDOT 511. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
At 10,759 feet, this mountain pass has exceptional views of Poudre Lake, and is located on the continental divide! The divide traverses the Americas from Alaska to Cape Horn in Chile. As it rains on the divide, the future course of a drop of water depends on a matter of feet. All water east of this pass will flow towards the Atlantic Ocean while all water on the west side will flow towards the Pacific Ocean. Look for a descriptive brown sign in the parking lot. Milner Pass is named for T.J Milner, an ambitious railroad promoter who surveyed a rail route across the divide. Like many surveyed routes of the 1880s, the railroad line was never built. This pass provides access to one end of the Ute Trail that leads to the Alpine Visitor Center. Note: Extreme weather can change the status of Trail Ridge Road at any time—be ready to adjust your travel plans if needed, and always check the weather before you start your drive. Altitude Warning: Altitude sickness affects many visitors every year. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, and even unconsciousness. Altitude can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like heart and lung disease. Take your time, drink water, eat, and rest. The only cure for altitude sickness is to go down to a lower altitude.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Trail Ridge Cafe
Restaurant
On your way back · 3 miIf it rains Images of Rocky Mountain National Park
Gallery
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Estes ParkLocal outfitters
- Alpine Lodge at Red Feather Lakes28 mi away
- Wildcat Mountaineering32 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jun, Sep
Best time to visit Milner Pass
Best months: June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
31° / 11°
9 wet
Feb
33° / 10°
9 wet
Mar
40° / 15°
10 wet
Apr
45° / 20°
10 wet
May
55° / 28°
10 wet
Jun
68° / 36°
10 wet
Jul
74° / 43°
13 wet
Aug
72° / 41°
14 wet
Sep
65° / 34°
10 wet
Oct
51° / 25°
8 wet
Nov
39° / 18°
9 wet
Dec
31° / 11°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hourglass Rsvr, CO, 14.7 mi away at 9,520 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
US 34: Milner Pass closed
closed Nov 3, 2026, no reopening recorded · State DOT
US 34: Milner Pass closed
closed Oct 28, 2026 → reopened Nov 3, 2026 · State DOT
US 34: Milner Pass closed
closed Oct 28, 2026 → reopened Oct 28, 2026 · State DOT
US 34: Milner Pass closed
closed Oct 27, 2026 → reopened Oct 27, 2026 · State DOT
US 34: Milner Pass closed
closed Oct 26, 2026 → reopened Oct 27, 2026 · State DOT
Trail Ridge Road is Closed at Many Parks Curve & Milner Pass
Rocky Mountain National Park · seen Oct 13, 2026 → lifted Oct 18, 2026 · National Park Service
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