Upper Beaver Meadows is located on the east side of the park. Upper Beaver Meadows offers two hiking routes in the winter -- the road, which is closed to traffic during the winter, winds along the north side of Beaver Creek for two miles, and a trail that leaves the dirt road on the left, just inside the barricade. The trail crosses the stream and runs along the south side of the meadow at the base of the moraine. The trail and road meet at the parking area at the west end of Beaver Meadows. You may choose to make a loop by using both the road and trail, or you may follow either route in both directions. Hiking along the trail, you may see elk bedded down among trees near the trail or along the stream.

Directions: From Estes Park, Follow Hwy 36 west to the Park Headquarters. From the Headquarters, drive 2 miles and look for the Beaver Meadows Road closure gate on the west side of the road on a hairpin curve. Park off the road surface on the gravel.

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