Check out some seriously breathtaking views as the seasons change.
The air is getting frosty , everyone ’s burst out the face cloth , and rumblings of “ spooky season ” are aflutter , intend Coloradans are flourish farewell to summer — a uncanny one , for sure — and embrace fall with arms wide undefended . It also means the darling lead and byway all important for craggy leaf - peeping are about to be full of people heading out to see the action .
We are once again give thanks theSmoky Mountains Fall Foliage Mapfor its perceptivity , and it seems 2023 is shaping up to be somewhat of a late bloomer , so to speak . Do n’t pack the television camera just yet , since September will be a spot too early to trip up vivid yellow aspen and mantle of dyed leaves along your favorite peaks and bases . But once October rolls around , Colorado will really be cook up something special . Here ’s your usher to leaf - peeping around the state this year .
Southern Colorado
Peaks ~Oct . 30 - Nov. 6Iconic : Heading south on I-25 , you might not recall there ’d be changing folio to ogle – and you ’d be incorrect . come in : theHighway of Legends , take you from Walsenburg to Trinidad over a span of 82 miles and about two hours . Once you murder Walsenburg on your elbow room south , branch off to Highway 160 and then again to Highway 12 , which will have you coasting the Sangre de Cristo Mountains , Spanish Peaks , and part of the San Isabel National Forest . Part of this “ roundabout way ” stretches over County Road 46 to Aguilar , but keep in judgement that a serving of Cordova Pass closes in the wintertime . Aside from that , notable check include see out theDakota Walland the Devil ’s Stairsteps .
Lesser known:“San Juan Skyway Byway ” may fathom a tad silly , but the panorama along this drive are no joke . chance are ( if you ’re labor in from the centering of Denver or Grand Junction ) , your first arrest will either be Durango or Ridgway , and from there it ’s 236 international mile ( or so six hours ) of deal , valleys , small , quintessential Colorado mountain town , and wildlife spotting in some unknown polygonal shape - shape loop . Be astounded by the colour of the San Juan Mountains and San Juan National Forest , and delectation in the beauty and charm of Ithiel Town like Dolores , Telluride , and Ouray ; it may be a long trek , but nearly every second of drive offers an unparalleled view of Southern Colorado in its prettiest season .
near to home : Monarch Pass is a bit southwest of Denver but not so much that you ca n’t get out and back in a 24-hour interval . It engage about three hours from the city to reach it , where it ’s nestled in the midst of the Pike , Gunnison , and San Isabel National Forests . It ’s also only an time of day to get through , with a summit overtop the Sawatch Range and featuring a small gift shop and restaurant for Inferno - stops and refueling for the journeying home . In addition to its accessibility depending on weather condition conditions , it also regard a reasonable amount of dealings from other leaf - peepers and outdoor enthusiasts , so be sure to build a small buffer sentence into your schedule just to be dependable .
San Juan Skyway
Northern Colorado
Peaks ~Oct . 2Iconic : recognize for being one of the most scenic cause in the country , you may also recognizeTrail Ridge Roadas the premier cruise through Rocky Mountain National Park . get in Estes Park and ending in Grand Lake , the road stretch 48 miles through aspen , pine , true fir , and spruce forests , sprawl vale , and rugged alpine tundra . Hitting its high point at 12,183 pes top , you ’ll ascend above the treeline and just as promptly dip back below , meaning close - up and faraway landscape painting views of the changing leave-taking are equally useable .
Lesser known : Perhaps notaslesser - bonk as some , Buffalo Pass still comes in a few notches down the free fall foliage listing from epithet like Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass , despite its own faultless view this time of year . The path is find just northeast of Steamboat Springs in the thick ofMedicine Bow - Routt National Forests , whose golden aspens you ’ll witness changing as soon as you start heading uphill . This one ’s a dirt route so 4WD is recommended , and another cool sight to see ( aside from the leaves and muckle opinion ) is the popularFish Creek Falls . And if you made it out and back early on enough in the day , count bear on eastward via theCache La Poudre North Park Byway , which connects nearby Walden and Fort Collins . Just be trusted you have enough petrol and snack for the 101 - mile tripper .
Close to home plate : ThePeak to Peak Scenic Byway — Colorado ’s first scenic byway — can be found just west of Boulder , connecting picturesque Estes Park with the formidable I-70 . Though not far from the major cities of primal Colorado , this stretching of highway is one of the most scenic when it comes to fall foliage . All in all , it takes about three hours to nail , assuming you ’re stopping along the way for the incredible photo ops . You ’ll observe a brilliant mix of shining amber aspen among deep evergreens , and if you ’re finger adventuresome ( and willing / able to deny some crushed rock ) , you’re able to explore the ghost towns of Hesse and Apex or feel the coolness breeze off some eminent altitude lakes .
Western Colorado
Peaks ~Oct . 10 - 20Iconic : This campaign might be the quintessential fall leaf drive if you had to pluck one . It ’s flummox all the major players ( Independence Pass , Maroon Bells , and a projected stopping compass point of Aspen ) and can be complete in less than half a day . If you ’ve got four - to - five hours to drink down and a full tank of gas — and you ’ve ensured that Independence Pass is indeed open to dealings — set out on a journeythat’ll take you through Colorado ’s highest incorporated community , past the telling Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive , over the Continental Divide ( thrice ) and on two extra straits : Tennessee and Fremont . You may frequent other folio - peepers on this road , but rest assured it ’s pop for good reason .
Lesser known : A peculiar part of this cringle , Kebler Pass , is in all probability more well - known than some of the other — but equally exciting — sections that make up the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway . This drive is 205 sea mile and look at anywhere between six - to - eight hours to complete , but you ’re getting a passel of bang for your clam given you ’ll be cruise through Grand Mesa , Uncompahgre , Gunnison , and White River National Forests . And that ’s not even advert the views of Castle and Capitol Peaks . The 31 - mile stretching of Kebler Pass is a crushed rock road and therefore only accessible given the veracious atmospheric condition conditions , but the rest of the journeying is useable twelvemonth - round . Start at Carbondale and head south down State Highway 133 , then make the loop that connects Hotchkiss , Sapinero , Gunnison , and Crested Butte before bring down you back at the intersection of Highway 133 and County Road 12 .
Close to home : For this autumnal thrust , we ’re considering Grand Junction ( or thereabouts ) because while the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is quite a way away from Denver , it ’s only a few miles east of Grand Valley and well worth the backroad navigation . Ideally , you ’ll want to set out down inCedaredge , make your way north until you reconnect with I-70 beyond Palisade . Keep in mind that this is yet another route at the mercy of weather condition conditions , so design accordingly as you ’re heading out ( and be aware that a portion is seasonal ) . This is also a shorter trip ( about two hour ) so if you ’re in the arena already , it ’s a stark leaf - peek to project into the docket . await the loveliness and history of Cedaredge , the azure - blue waters of Grand Mesa Lakes , and full looker of theGrand Mesa National Forest .
San Juan Skyway
Central Colorado
Peaks ~Oct . 16Iconic : You may knowGuanella Passfor being the connective between Georgetown and Grant , and if you ’ve ever brave the winding road up from ( or down into ) Georgetown , you know the mount is immediate , high , and deep with trees . mean : the fall foliage is on - point . The route is closed seasonally once the material cold weather starting time rolling in , but if you may make the trip out from Denver ( it ’s only an hour ! ) it ’s deserving it for the changing colors , especially passing the peak of Mt. Evans and alongside the pristine water of Georgetown Lake .
Lesser known : Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass ( formerly known as Squaw Pass ) is often the precursor to the iconic climb upMount Evans Scenic Byway — a 28 - mile misstep and the nation ’s highest paved road at over 14,000 feet elevation — but is an autumnal delight all its own . Connecting off of Colorado State Highway 103 , Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass provides link among Idaho Springs , Echo Lake , and Evergreen via fully pave ( though seasonal and conditions - dependant ) roads . While the fall foliation view are especially epic , do n’t convey any friends who ca n’t handle sharp turns and steep elevation change ; this road is n’t for the faint of heart .
Close to home : ThePikes Peak Highwayhas do as an elevation - gaining scenic byroad for over 100 yr , leading from Cascade , CO up to the summit of Pikes Peak . In addition to sweeping survey of the valley below , climbing up the almost-7,000 feet in height change offers some close brush with the change leave . Head west on Highway US-24 and grow lead on Fountain Ave . , then follow the signs . This is another route susceptible to weather conditions , so be sure to check before you head out . For point along the way up ( or once you ’re at the top ) , chequer out Crystal Reservoir and Devils Playground .
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland
Visit Aspen
Pikes Peak Region Attractions
