Every fall, Colorado’s aspen trees set the scenery ablaze with rich, vibrant color. As fleeting as it is beautiful, the season draws tourists, photographers, and nature lovers from around the world to Colorado’s many national and state parks to catch a glimpse of the leaves before it’s too late. Here’s a list of scenic drives to take for maximum exposure.
West Elk Loop is a winding 205-mile route through Crystal River Valley—a part of Colorado’s western slope that is known for its variety. The scenery shifts between canyons, rivers, meadows, and thick aspen groves with famously bright fall foliage. Check out the west side of Kebler Pass for the brightest leaves.
Length: 205 miles/6-8 hours
Location: Western Slope—Carbondale, Gunnison, Crested Butte; Grand Mesa National Forest, White River National Forest, & Gunnison National Forest
Distance from Denver: 170 miles/3.25 hours (to Carbondale entrance point)
For a shorter drive on the Western Slope, check out Grand Mesa scenic byway just southeast of Grand Junction. Just a few miles further down the highway from West Elk Loop, this drive only takes a third of the time but still offers plenty of opportunities to take in the autumn colors. The highway climbs through a canyon to an elevation of 11,000 feet at the top of the plateau. Check out Land’s End Overlook to see one of Colorado’s most dramatic vistas from the top of Grand Mesa.
Length: 63 miles/2 hours
Location: Western Slope—Just southeast of Grand Junction; Grand Mesa National Forest
Distance from Denver: 258 miles/approx. 5 hours (entering at Mesa, CO)
The San Juan Skyway is by far Colorado’s best-known scenic drive—you may have heard the Ouray to Silverton stretch called the “Million Dollar Highway”. 14,000 foot peaks surround you as you make your way past Telluride, Ouray, and Durango. The alpine valleys are thick with aspen trees and dotted with picturesque relics of the Old West. The southwest corner of the byway passes through Mesa Verde National Park, home to prehistoric ruins and cliff dwellings. If you’ve got time on your hands, check out the Four Corners just southwest of Cortez.
Length: 236 miles/6 hours
Location: Southwest Colorado, Durango, Telluride, Cortez; Mesa Verde National Park
Distance from Denver: 324 miles, 5.75 hours (Ridgway, CO entrance)
Flat Tops Trail – Ripple Creek Pass
The Western Slope isn’t the only place to see fall colors. Flat Tops Trail lies between Meek and Yampa, just southwest of Steamboat Springs in northwestern Colorado. This area of the state is home to active farms and mines, in contrast to much of the Western Slope. Working ranches dot the area rather than historically-preserved sites, but the byway itself passes through the White River National Forest and protected wilderness areas. Check out Ripple Creek Pass for some of September’s best photo ops.
Distance: 82 miles/2 hours
Location: Northwest Colorado—Steamboat Springs area
Distance from Denver: 159 miles/3 hours
Less than an hour’s drive from Denver, Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is Colorado’s oldest scenic route. Stretching north from the gambling mecca of Central City up to Estes Park and the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, this drive is packed with incredible scenery. According to reports from the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest website, the most vibrant colors can be seen on the eighteen mile stretch between Nederland and Ward and surrounding Eldora Mountain.
Length: 55 miles/80 minutes
Location: Front Range—Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, near Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance from Denver: 38 miles/45 minutes (enter at Central City)
Mt. Evans Scenic Byway ascends to an altitude of 14,264 feet, making it the highest paved highway on the continent. Bighorn Sheep, alpine lakes, and other high-altitude wonders are found up and down the highway. This route is proof that you don’t have to stray far from Denver to enjoy all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Check out Echo Lake for a panorama of fall colors in a pristine setting.
Length: 28 miles/1 hour
Location: Front Range—Southwest of Idaho Springs
Distance from Denver: 32 miles/41 minutes