Trailhead Restaurant Review: Menu, Prices & Worth It?

Need breakfast before Rocky Mountain National Park or a meal right after hiking? Trailhead sits just outside the park entrance with elk stew, game burgers, mountain views, and a gift shop discount that saves 15% on your entire bill.

Menu & Pricing

What Makes Trailhead Special

Trailhead sits just outside Rocky Mountain National Park entrance on Fall River Road, making it the most convenient dining stop before or after park visits. With 633+ reviews averaging 4.3 stars, the outdoor patio delivers spectacular mountain views that enhance every meal.

The Elk Stew stands as the signature dish - thick stew with elk meat, vegetables, and seasonings that earns consistent praise. The integrated gift shop offers a unique perk: shop first and get 15% off your entire meal.

What to Order (Signature Dishes)

Elk Stew ($24.99) - If you're only ordering one thing, this is it. Thick stew with tender elk meat, vegetables, and seasonings served with sour cream. The hearty portion works perfectly after cold mornings in the park.

The kitchen adjusts spice levels and customizes based on dietary needs. I'd order this on chilly days for maximum comfort food satisfaction.

Mountain Man Burger ($22.99) - Five game meats (elk, venison, wild boar, antelope, buffalo) combine into one wild burger. I'd go medium rare or medium for the best texture.

Trust me on the cook temp - lean game meat dries out fast. Well-done game burgers turn into hockey pucks. Go medium unless you specifically want otherwise.

Rocky Mountain Trout ($32.99) - Boneless rainbow trout with lemon caper butter sauce, wild rice, and sautéed vegetables. The dish stands out for perfect cooking and excellent seasoning, bringing diners back repeatedly.

The fresh local trout arrives properly prepared without the muddy flavor that plagues poorly-handled fish. The lemon caper butter adds brightness without overwhelming the delicate fish flavor.

Grilled Pork Chops ($29.95) - Bone-in pork chop with apple cranberry compote, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. The sweet compote balances the savory pork perfectly, creating a dish that earns 5-star ratings consistently.

Portion sizes run generous, often too much to finish in one sitting. The quality exceeds expectations for a location-driven restaurant near a national park.

Shrimp Scampi ($25.99) - Shrimp and linguini tossed in scampi sauce with garlic and parmesan. The dish brings repeat customers back with perfectly cooked shrimp and a light but flavorful sauce.

Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)

Best for: RMNP visitors needing pre-hike breakfast or post-hike meals, families (patio wildlife sightings, gift shop for kids), gluten-free diners, and gift shop browsers who want the 15% meal discount.

Skip if: You need dinner (closes 4-5pm), want consistent beef burgers (stick to elk stew/game burgers), or dislike retail-heavy atmosphere.

Looking for other options? Check Bird & Jim for wild game or Elevations Eatery for late-night dining.

Practical Information

• 📍Location: 3450 Fall River Rd, just outside RMNP entrance
• ⏰Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm (no dinner service)
• 🚗Parking: Free lot with plenty of spaces
• 📅Reservations: Not required; walk-ins seat immediately most times
• 🎁Gift shop discount: Shop first, show receipt for 15% off entire meal
• 🌾Dietary: GF chili, GF burger buns available; vegan modifications on request
• 🏔️Patio: Mountain views with occasional wildlife (hummingbirds, rabbits)