Colorado has 26 scenic highways, each with stunning landscapes, charming towns and unique history. From high alpine roads to mining routes, these drives offer incredible diversity within the state. While it’s hard to choose between these which is the best, here is your guide to 3 beautiful byways in Colorado.
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Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road is probably the most famous among Colorado drives, since it is located within Rocky Mountain National Park. This fantastic 48 mile winding road begins in Estes Park and ends in Grand Lake, Colorado. While on this road, you’ll find sweeping views across the high rockies and many great overlooks, most of which are above the timberline.
BEST STOPS ON THE ROAD
Trail Ridge Road is packed with scenic spots and pull-offs. “Must Stop Spots” include:
- Many Parks Curve
- Forest Canyon Overlook
- Gore Range Overlook
- Trail Ridge Road Summit
- Alpine Visitor Center
We also recommend getting out and doing a couple of short hikes, especially to Lake Irene and the Tundra Communities.
WHERE TO STAY FOR ACCESS
The town of Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Apart from the elk herds roaming around, this city also has a very charming downtown and cozy lodging options. We recommend the Historic Crags Lodge. It has a central location, amazing rustic decor, as well as an incredible outdoor hot tub (perfect in any season!)
Mount Blue Sky
Colorado is also home to the highest paved road on the continent, Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. Only 60 miles from Denver, this gorgeous day trip drive takes you to the summit of 14,265-foot Mt Blue Sky. Without a doubt, this is the most stunning drive in the state of Colorado.
BEST STOPS ON THE ROAD
The drive up to the top of this 14,000 foot mountain is full of dramatic views and narrow roads. While the experience is not for the faint of heart, it’s definitely worth it. Here are a couple of “must dos”:
- Echo Lake Trail
- Mount Goliath Nature Center
- Summit Lake
- Chicago Lakes Overlook Trail
- Mt Blue Sky Summit
WHERE TO STAY FOR ACCESS
This scenic drive is an easy day trip from Denver, as it’s only 60 miles away. We recommend staying somewhere in either the fun and vibrant Highlands neighborhood, or the artsy and trendy RiNo. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to be more in the mountains, stay in the historical and quaint Georgetown.
Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Last, but not least, is the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. This route runs 117 miles between South Fork and the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Since this is a longer journey, you will want to devote the entire day to the drive.
BEST STOPS ON THE ROAD
This road winds through stunning wilderness, over 10,000 foot passes and alongside rivers and lakes. Here are a few especially wonderful stops:
- Creede
- Lake City
- North Clear Creek Waterfall
- Windy Point Scenic Overlook
- Wagon Wheel Gap
- Curecanti National Recreation Area
WHERE TO STAY FOR ACCESS
Unlike the previous 2 routes, this drive has many options for lodging. Lake City and South Fork are charming areas for overnight stays, both offering many cabin rentals. There are also many campgrounds located close to Lake City. Williams Creek Campground is a lovely nature option, since it’s only about 20 minutes from town.
Enjoy these 3 beautiful byways in Colorado!
In addition to having great weekend getaways as well as some of the most gorgeous roads in the USA, Colorado really has it all. Hope you get the chance to experience these 3 beautiful byways in Colorado.
Caroline, Jonathan and Queso