The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is a stunning drive that runs from Grant to Georgetown, Colorado. Since this highway is only an hour from Denver, it makes for a perfect fall day trip destination. The reason? The road is surrounded by large groves of Aspen trees, which turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. Here is your guide to the best fall day trip from Denver – Guanella Pass.

– Responsible Travel Tips –

Please be respectful of the local environment when exploring the outdoors in Colorado. Practice Leave No Trace principles such as staying on designated roads/trails, leaving wildlife alone and putting out fires. It always helps to pick up a piece of trash or two as well! 

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DRIVING DETAILS FOR THE BEST FALL DAY TRIP FROM DENVER

From Denver, the total round trip distance is about 125 miles or 2.5 hours of driving time. However, plan for a few hours more since there are many places to stop along this road. We recommend starting on I-70 at Georgetown, as the views on the way up are much nicer here.

Alternatively, if you want to stay more in the mountains before beginning the drive, we recommend the Clear Creek Inn in Georgetown. This lovely spot is located right on the peaceful Clear Creek and has delicious breakfast options too.

Without a doubt, this road is one of the best fall day trips from Denver, so be sure to get out and explore! While the drive itself is incredible, there are also many wonderful hikes & lookout points along the way.

Where to Stop on the Best Fall Day Trip

1. GEORGETOWN

First, stop for a stroll in the charming Georgetown (if you aren’t already staying here.) Mountain Mamas’ Needful Things is a great bakery and breakfast option for starting your day. Try the cinnamon rolls or a breakfast burrito, which are made fresh daily.

After enjoying your breakfast, walk around the historical town streets. Georgetown was founded during the days of Colorado‘s silver boom, so it is one of the original mining towns in the state. Most of the buildings found here were built in the 1800s.

To further enjoy the fall views in the mountains that surround this town, consider taking the Georgetown Loop Railroad. This stunning 1 hour ride will give you additional views of the area, so it’s a great option to add before/after your scenic drive.

2. SILVERDALE HERITAGE TRAIL

Walk off your breakfast at the lovely Silverdale Heritage Trail area. Just a short 5 minute drive up the pass, this area has multiple hiking trail options. We recommend the easy “Green Loop”, as it provides a spectacular scene with all of the changing Aspen trees. This loop combines the best of the trails here and has peaceful riverside sections also.

3. CLEAR LAKE

The aptly named Clear Lake is another 2 miles or so past the Silverdale Trail area. This small, but gorgeous, lake is a perfect place for pictures with the fall foliage. There are also several picnic tables and a restroom here as well.

4. GUANELLA PASS SUMMIT

This remarkable summit is the halfway point in your journey. Guanella Pass Summit is found at an elevation of 11,670 feet, so you’ll notice the air is different here as well as the plant life. While you won’t see find many Aspen trees at this high altitude, you will see dramatic mountain top views, small alpine lakes and golden toned shrub bushes.

There are a couple of hikes you can do from here, including Mt. Bierstadt, a Colorado 14er (a 14,000 foot mountain.) This is a difficult trail, so if you plan to do it, make sure you are adequately prepared. However, if you are looking for an easier option, you’ll find beautiful views on the 1/4 mile walk to the scenic Square Top Mountain Overlook.

For a more moderate trail, hike along the Square Top Mountain Trail. This hike passes by several lakes on the way to the top of this mountain. However, you don’t have to hike the entire 7 mile trail to enjoy the views. You can also walk along the pathway until you feel like turning around (which is what we did.) The views are incredible and are worth a small section of the hike!

5. DUCK CREEK PICNIC AREA

After wandering around the summit area, you’ll continue your drive down the other side of the pass. The Duck Creek Picnic Area, which is 15 minutes down the road, is a great spot to stop along your drive for lunch. Bring a picnic (or better yet, bring some sandwiches from Mountain Mamas!) Along with streamside picnic tables, there is also a restroom and cooking grills. It’s a very relaxing spot for enjoying an afternoon surrounded by golden Aspen trees.

6. THREE MILE CREEK TRAILHEAD

Last, but not least, stop at the Three Mile Creek Trailhead. While the trail is 9.4 miles long, you don’t have to hike the entire thing to get great fall foliage views. We only walked around the creekside area for about 15 minutes, however, it was definitely worth the stop.

Finally, you’ll end the scenic Guanella Pass drive in Grant. From here, you can drive back to Denver or drive on to your next Colorado destination.

Camping Options Along This Road

If you feel like turning your day trip into a camping excursion, there are several campgrounds along this road. Options include:

• Clear Lake Campground – 8 site first-come, first served campground with tent and small trailers spots available. 4 miles from Georgetown.

• Guanella Pass Campground – 18 site campground with reservable and first-come, first-served spots. Suitable for tents and small trailers. 7 miles from Georgetown. The best option in our opinion!

• Geneva Park Campground – 26 site campground with both reservable and first-come, first-served spots. Tent and RV sites available. 7 miles from Grant.

• Burning Bear Campground – 13 sites for both tent and RV. Reservable and first-come, first-served sites. 5 miles from Grant.

FOR MORE COLORADO INSPIRATION, CHECK OUT:

• 3 Beautiful Byways in Colorado
• The 8 Most Beautiful Hikes near Denver
• 5 of the Best Stops Along I-70 in Colorado

Enjoy your travels to Colorado and the best fall day trip from Denver – Guanella Pass!

Caroline & Jonathan