Today officially marks the first day of Fall. For many of you it still feels like summer but for those of us in Colorado Fall is right outside our windows. The leaves are just starting to change in the Front Range and are starting to peak in mountains. There are only a few weeks left to soak in the brilliant reds and golds of the Aspens so map out your drive and get on it. Here are a few favorite scenic drives in Colorado I’ve done. There are a ton though so let us know your favorites. We’d love to see your photos too. (The photos are courtesy of my photo happy husband.)
For updates on when the leaves are perfect, check in with the weather department at 9news.com.
Great Colorado Fall Foliage Drives
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park: Trail Ridge Road (US 34)
Golden and Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Take Colorado 46 all the way through the park to the Peak-to-Peak Highway (Colorado 72).
Guanella Pass: Between Georgetown (I-70) and Grant (US 285)
Independence Pass: Take I-70 to Glenwood Springs, then drive south through Aspen on Colorado 82 to U.S. 24.
Grand Mesa: Colorado 65 east of Grand Junction and north of Delta
Morrison and Evergreen: Head west through Morrison and up Colorado 74 to Evergreen.
Maroon Bells: from Aspen, Maroon Creek (Forest Route 125) to Maroon Bells (no cars, you’ll have to go by bus or by bike)
Poudre Canyon: Take I-25 north to Fort Collins, turn north on Colorado 14 and then west out of town and into the mountains. Drive along the Cache la Poudre River all the way over Cameron Pass to Walden, then go south on Colorado 125 through the Routt and Arapaho national forests back down to U.S. 40 at Granby.
Tennessee Pass/Vail: US 24 from Leadville to Vail
Peak to Peak Highway: Colorado 119, 72, and 7 between Black Hawk and Estes Park
Lizard Head Pass: Colorado 145 between Dolores and Telluride
National Scenic Byway: Colo. 96 from Pueblo to Westcliffe Navajo Trail, US 160: Between Pagosa Springs and Cortez
Looking for more ideas for things to do in Colorado or Colorado’s wine regions? Click on over to Carpe Travel’s Colorado Wine Travel Guide.
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.