There is no better place to leaf peep than in Colorado. With its brilliant hues of yellows, oranges and crimson set against the backdrop of majestic mountains and crisp blue skies… pure heaven! Below are some gorgeous Colorado fall drives to satisfy your soul.
Cache La Poudre Scenic Byway⎪The Cache La Poudre – North Park Scenic Byway is a paved 101-mile drive among Colorado Northern Rockies. It connects the towns of Fort Collins and Walden. Most of the three hour drive is spent winding through the Roosevelt National Forest, beside the Cache La Poudre River.
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway⎪This gorgeous drive goes from Granite to Buena Vista to Salida to Poncha Springs. Some of the best scenery is in the stretch between Granite and Buena Vista, where the fall foliage has Buffalo Peaks as a stunning backdrop.
Guanella Pass⎪Just an hour from Denver, this trek will take you to Georgetown, a town known as the “Silver Queen of the Rockies”. The 23-mile route is one of the most popular places to see.
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway ⎪Designated a Colorado Scenic Byway, it begins as CO Highway 7 in Estes Park, passes Lily Mountain and Twin Sisters, then turns south just past Allenspark on CO Highway 72, goes to Nederland where it continues south on CO Highway 119, through Blackhawk, through Clear Creek Canyon and down to I-70. Click to see Map.
San Juan Skyway⎪The byway passes through five million acres of both the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. Traveling the length of the byway will take you through high mountain passes and historical towns and by waterfalls and acres of wildflowers. In autumn, the aspen trees turn brilliant colors. Sunset Magazine recognized the area’s superior beauty by writing, “The San Juan Skyway… possibly America’s greatest fall-color drive…its aspen views are alternately breathtaking and intimate.”
Top of The Rockies Scenic Byway⎪You will be surrounded on all sides by 14,000-foot mountains and the city occupies the lowlands. South of town, Colorado’s two loftiest mountains – Elbert and Massive – stand side by side like Jupiter and Saturn.
West Elk Loop⎪The twin summits of Mount Sopris and the incomparable Black Canyon of the Gunnison anchor the ends of the West Elk Loop. The route gives access to the White River and Gunnison National Forest, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreational Area, and Crawford and Paonia State Parks.
How about a Fall Hike? Check out my hiking guide here!
