Hiking the Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park has hundreds of miles of trails offering stunning views. Although many of the trails are strenuous, the park has plenty of easy trails perfect for anyone! The national park even has a few paved hiking trails, allowing everyone to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Toll Memorial Trail is one of the most beautiful trails on Trail Ridge Road. Since it is a paved trail, everyone can enjoy the hike and the incredible views. The 360-degree views from Toll Memorial Trail are unmatched, and the trail should be on every Rocky Mountain National Park bucket list!

If you want to hike it, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about hiking Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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Toll Memorial Trail Overview

Toll Memorial Trail Length and Difficulty

Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is an easy hike with stunning views. The 1.1-mile round-trip trail is paved and has minimal elevation gain. Since it is a paved path, it offers a chance for everyone to enjoy the 360-degree views.

At the end of the trail, you can continue to enjoy views from the path or climb to the top of a rock to see the memorial and get even better views. The hike to the memorial requires some climbing, but the views are worth it!

Toll Memorial Trail Parking

The parking for the Toll Memorial Trail is at the Tundra Communities Trailhead parking lot along Trail Ridge Road. It is just east of the highest point on the Trail Ridge Road. The parking lot is relatively small and fills up quickly, especially during peak season.

Is Toll Memorial Trail Dog-friendly?

No, dogs are not allowed on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Dogs are only allowed in specific places in the park.

Best Time to Hike Toll Memorial Trail

Since Trail Ridge Road is only open in the summer, you can only hike Toll Memorial Trail between the end of May and October. Typically, Trail Ridge Road opens at the end of May or the beginning of June and then closes in October, depending on the snow accumulation.

Please note: Snow lingers on the trail through June, and the weather is unpredictable at the high elevations. It is crucial to pack the appropriate layers to stay warm. When we visited at the beginning of June, it was cold on the trail, and we were glad we packed our insulated jackets for the hike.

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

Where to Stay Near Toll Memorial Trail

Estes Park is the best place to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park because it is outside the east park entrances. The town has many accommodations for all budgets, restaurants, and shops.

Because Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, the accommodations in Estes Park might be the most expensive on the trip. But it is nice to be within a 15-minute drive of the Beaver Meadow and Fall River park entrances.

Best Hotels in Estes Park:

Best Campgrounds in Estes Park:

Toll Memorial Trail Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.

Toll Memorial Trail is one of my favorite short hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since it is a paved trail, everyone can enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views. And the best part? The entire hike offers mountain views, even at the trailhead. It will quickly become one of your favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Toll Memorial Trail is on the western side of Trail Ridge Road, just before the highest point on the road. The parking for the hike is at the Tundra Communities Trailhead and is relatively small. Because Toll Memorial Trail is an easy hike with beautiful views, the parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak season.

*Please note: It is crucial to only hike on the designated trails to avoid damaging restoration areas and fragile vegetation.

The first 0.3 miles of Toll Memorial Trail are the steepest, gaining about 150 feet of elevation. Because it is a paved trail, it is easier to climb the gradual ascent. Once you reach the top of the incline, the rest of Toll Memorial Trail is relatively flat.

The trail has a small side trail to the right leading to Mushroom Rocks after 0.3 miles. These rocks are super interesting and look just like mushrooms! It is a short walk to them, so I recommend taking the time to visit them.

Once you are back on Toll Memorial Trail, the trail continues to walk toward the memorial while offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can see Longs Peak in the distance! The views are breathtaking and make the hike go by quickly!

After 0.2 miles past the Mushroom Rocks, the trail finally reaches the final viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of Rocky Mountain National Park. You can either stay on the trail to enjoy the views or climb the rock to the memorial. The climb is steep but worth it once you see the views!

When we hiked Toll Memorial Trail, we did not realize the memorial was on top of the rocks until we saw other hikers climbing it. The views were unmatched at the top and took our breath away! We could see what felt like miles of mountains around us. Since we visited at the beginning of June, almost all the mountains were still covered in snow, which added to their beauty.

Once you finish taking in the stunning mountain views, you can hike back the way you came. Since the trail is an out-and-back, you follow the same path you took to the memorial. But do not worry! You still have beautiful views on the descent.

Toll Memorial is one of the most beautiful easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park! It is also great for everyone to enjoy since it is a paved trail. You will not be disappointed hiking this trail!

If you want to hike other trails near Toll Memorial Trail:

Alpine Ridge Trail - 0.6 miles round trip
Medicine Bow Trail - 0.7 miles round trip
Marmot Point Trail - 0.8 miles round trip
Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge - 3.8 miles round trip

If you want to hike Toll Memorial Trail, this guide is a great place to start planning. It has everything you need to know about the Toll Memorial Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.