Colorado is justly famous for its breathtaking landscapes: mountain vistas, sun-drenched plains, red rock mesas, and high deserts. All of which look especially fetching through a windshield.
In between the extraordinary vistas, tempting stops abound: unexpected historic sites, charming towns, and outdoor recreation opportunities of every sort. Miles and miles of well-maintained Scenic and Historic Byways wind through the state’s diverse attractions, providing easy access to it all. So, grab your keys and power up: these are the best road trips in Colorado.
The Views Will Astound Over Independence Pass
Twin Lakes–Aspen; 27 miles/44km
The ribbon of road between the historic community of Twin Lakes and the swank town of Aspen forms the backbone of one of Colorado’s most epic drives. Along this part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, the views are cinematic and spectacular. Swatches of snow are visible along the ridges just below the knife edge of peaks, and tundra blooms at the top of the pass, where at 12,095ft you’ll be on the edge of the Continental Divide. Expect several of your own IMAX moments.
Though the pass is closed in the winter, the rest of the year the drive is short and sweet – and it is recommended to take your time. Check out Twin Lakes Reservoir, an angler’s and paddleboarder’s dream; its shores are dotted with historic ruins, including Interlaken, once Colorado’s largest resort, built in 1879. Or head for a hike on Mt Elbert, one of the “easier” fourteeners in the state (start your hike early!). Don’t miss Independence near Aspen – a ghost town dotted with weathered wood cabins, this was the first mining site in the Roaring Fork Valley, and today offers a window back in time.
Stay Above 9000ft as You Follow the Top of the Rockies
Minturn–Aspen; 115 miles/185km
If you enjoyed the drive over Independence Pass, extend it to take in this Scenic Byway. One of the highest in the US, this road seldom drops below 9000ft as it really does follow the mountaintops. You’ll go through three spectacular mountain passes, cross the Continental Divide, take in two Colorado giants (Mt Elbert and Mt Massive) and roll through historic towns in central Colorado. If outdoor recreation is your thing, the route passes through three National Forests offering countless opportunities to hike, climb, fish, and ski.
Along the way, tiny Minturn is big on small-town charm; during the summer, you can pick up road provisions at the bustling farmers market (the kids can pet goats while adults shop). In Leadville, learn all about Colorado’s rags-to-riches mining beginnings in its historic district. Twin Lakes offers opportunities to wander through a historic mining camp. The tour ends in Aspen, one of the state’s poshest and most cultured places – and a must-stop.
Follow Switchbacks Across the Continental Divide on Trail Ridge Rd
Estes Park–Grand Lake; 47 miles/76km
Rocky Mountain National Park’s signature drive, Trail Ridge Road, is the highest continuously paved through-road in North America, climbing to 12,183ft in a matter of minutes. It follows the same path that generations of Ute, Arapaho, and Apache used as a trade route to traverse Milner Pass. Expect outrageous views: snowcapped peaks, meandering streams, tight switchbacks across the Continental Divide, high-country meadows, wildflowers galore, and, with luck, some wildlife, too. You should stop at some of the countless turnoffs to explore tundra trails or to take selfies from the top of the world. Note that the road is closed in winter and spring due to snow.
Take in Peak Foliage on Peak to Peak Hwy
Estes Park–Nederland; 42 miles/68km
Colorado’s first Scenic Byway, Peak to Peak Hwy, is a year-round hit, winding past towering mountains like Longs Peak (14,255ft) and lush alpine valleys, plus a handful of one-horse towns. The road is especially stunning in autumn when the mountains become a quilt of gold, yellow, and orange, along with bugling elks searching for mates.
Set aside a couple of hours for the drive. Before leaving Estes Park, enjoy the riverwalk or consider a ghost tour of the historic Stanley Hotel. Along the route, consider stopping in Ward, a former boom town that has settled into an artfully ramshackle state of disrepair, or Peaceful Valley, notable for its little onion-domed church perched on a hillside. Another pit-stop idea: a hike in one of the nearby national forests and wilderness areas (the route passes three: Arapaho, Roosevelt, and Indian Peaks). At the end, stroll through Nederland, a hippie holdout known for its quirky shops and colorful cafes.
Get Close to Southwestern History Along the Santa Fe Trail
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site–Trinidad; 116 miles/187km
History buffs will love this day-long drive along the Santa Fe Trail, the Old West’s first “highway,” which once extended from Missouri to New Mexico. Sun-drenched prairies and wheat fields, sugar-beet farms, and railroad yards unfurl on this open two-lane highway, providing a rich mix of history and natural wonder.
The route’s signature sight is the phenomenal Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. Perched on the Arkansas River and the erstwhile US-Mexico border, the fort marked a cultural crossroads where Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Mexicans, and Americans met, mingled, traded, and coexisted. While initially built for trade, the fort was later seized by the US Army and is a reminder of the military presence that remains strong in Colorado even today. Trade declined as thousands of settlers poured into the frontier after the Louisiana Purchase and particularly after a cholera epidemic greatly affected the region’s Indigenous tribes.
Skip I-25 and Explore Small Towns Along the Hwy of Legends
Trinidad–Walsenburg; 82 miles/132km
Steeped in mining folklore and Native American legends, the sleepy towns and majestic mountain passes of the Hwy of Legends provide a beautiful detour from the I-25 throughway, which brings visitors through some of southeastern Colorado’s most glorious countryside. Budget two hours to drive the route, more if you stop to take in the sights.
Historic Trinidad is one of the shining stars of the route, its Main Street an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Standing like forgotten sentinels along the road, rows and rows of coal ovens are unmissable in Cokedale. Two charming towns are worth a stop too: Cuchara for its views of the Spanish Peaks and La Veta, where there are more churches than paved roads. This being Colorado, there are plenty of recreational opportunities as well: the Cucharas River offers terrific fishing, while hiking in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness is some of the best in the state.
Explore Indigenous American Culture Along the Trail of the Ancients
Mesa Verde National Park–Ute Mountain Tribal Park; 113 miles/182km
The Trail of the Ancients is the only National Scenic Byway dedicated to archaeology. This beautiful and eye-opening route winds through canyons, mountains, and plains once inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans and later nomadic Navajo, Apache, and Ute tribes. Though the route is just over 100 miles, the sites themselves are fascinating and worth lingering over, making this a good multi-day trip.
Mesa Verde National Park is the crown jewel of the route, home to over 5000 archaeological sites, including 600 Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings (a guided ranger tour is highly recommended). Explore other treasures like the Anasazi Heritage Center, Canyon of the Ancients, and Hovenweep National Monument. Here you will discover Ancestral Puebloan treasures that have been largely left alone for hundreds of years – perfect for DIY exploration. Ute Mountain Tribal Park houses several lesser-known cliff dwellings where petroglyphs and shards of original pottery can also be seen (a Ute guide must accompany all visitors).
