Time is limited and not to be wasted by the alpine tundra. What you see today may have taken hundreds of years in the making . There are over 330 species of alpine tundra in Colorado, of which 180 are found in Rocky Mountain National Park . Over one third of the park is above tree line and is home to these plants. The most accessible viewing of tundra in the Rockies is along Trail Ridge Road , as winds its way from Estes Park, over the Continental Divide to Grand Lake.
Tundra is a fragile plant, and if damaged can take hundreds of years to recover.
With over 3 million visitors each year to Rocky Mountain National Park, the tundra must be protected from human feet destroying the small plants. Fines may be levied for those who disregard the warnings. Featured to the left are a few of the common alpine tundra plants found in the Rocky Mountains. There are 5 growing zones for the many different kinds plants and trees in Colorado. Growth of most species may extend into other zones such as the Colorado Columbine which is common to the Montane Zone, can also be found in the Foothills and Subalpine regions.