From high alpine passes to quiet river valleys, the Centennial State offers some of the most stunning autumn foliage in the country. Whether you're planning a road trip, a peaceful hike or a weekend getaway, here are 10 incredible places to experience Colorado’s spectacular fall colors this September and October.
Pro Tip: It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when viewing fall colors on a scenic drive. For the best photos, Do Colorado Right by choosing a spot in a safe, designated parking area to really bask in fall’s beauty.
1. Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved road in North America winds through Rocky Mountain National Park, spanning 48 miles between Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Reaching a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road is an amazing vantage point for leaf peepers and is a favored spot for photographers. It's also equipped with electric-vehicle charging stations in each gateway town, so you can power up at the beginning and end of your trip. Not into driving? The Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers ecology bus tours with an educational guide to discuss the elk mating season while witnessing fall colors.
2. Kebler Pass
Gunnison is home to Kebler Pass, an unpaved road that boasts one of the largest aspen groves in North America. A favorite spot for renowned landscape photographer John Fielder, you’ll find plenty of photo ops along the way. Ohio Creek Road is a great starting point, as it passes some unique natural landscapes, the spires of “The Castles” — remnants of volcanic ash and mud that erupted from the West Elk Volcano some 30 million years ago.
3. The San Juan Skyway
San Juan Skyway, a breathtaking 236-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, offers visitors an amazing array of fall colors and includes a 25-mile stretch known simply as the Million Dollar Highway. Drive the entire loop or pick just a section of it, using pulloffs for scenic overlooks to take in the golden views. Or, for a car-free option, hop aboard The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which parallels the San Juan Skyway and offers rides that coincide with optimal fall foliage. Add on a zip line tour with Soaring® Tree Top Adventures, only accessible via the railroad, to experience Colorado’s colorful foliage on their 27 lines that pass by brilliant aspens.
4. Maroon Bells
The iconic Maroon Bells, two towering 14,000-foot mountains nestled in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, are the most photographed peaks in North America. Located in the 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest, the peaks tower over numerous hiking trails that offer unbeatable views of golden aspen trees. Note that reservations are recommended to see this site. Learn more about Maroon Bells reservations.
5. Western Slope
Colorado’s Western Slope is home to the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, and Colorado wine country. In addition to the reds, whites and rosés made in Grand Junction and Palisade, fall brings with it glorious colors. Powderhorn Mountain Resort's vibrant scrub oaks contrast with golden shimmering aspens along Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, which is one of the state's electric-vehicle-friendly byways.
6. Buffalo Pass
This dirt road just west of Steamboat Springs is lined with rows of glowing aspen groves. Drive eight miles up toward the Continental Divide and Summit Lake, where you’ll find stunning views of the surrounding foliage. As the fall colors become more robust, locals recommend a trek on the pristine Zirkel Wilderness Area's Three Island Lake Trail. The 6.1-mile (round-trip) moderately rated trail takes hikers through coniferous forests and high meadows, past glacial lakes and vistas.
7. La Veta Pass
Peaking at an altitude of more than 9,400 feet, the La Veta Pass on U.S. Route 160 in southern Colorado (west of the town of La Veta) is one of the most scenic drives in the state during the fall season. Gold aspen trees mixed with dark green pines line the pass, while the magnificent Spanish Peaks and Sangre de Cristo Mountains tower over the foliage of the San Luis Valley.
