The month of September is the ideal time to witness a gilded aspen spectacle on a scenic drive in Colorado, but you have to time it right: The color lasts only about a week in most places. It's difficult to predict when exactly the leaves will turn in any given location. The best strategy is select travel dates in advance, but not destinations. Then go wherever the color is. Here are a few road-tripping routes, sorted by region, that have become fall-color pilgrimages for aspen lovers:
Northwest Colorado Fall-Color Drives
Maroon Bells: Quite possibly the most photographed mountains in North America, the Maroon Bells are situated southwest of the aptly named town of Aspen. These peaks are an ideal spot to capture the glory of fall color on film. At scenic Maroon Lake, the golden trees frame a reflection of the purple-and-white-striped peaks, making for the pic of a lifetime. Reservations are recommended to visit the Maroon Bells Scenic Area in fall. And to help protect this beautiful place, separate (and nominal) camping permits and fees are required for certain parts of Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
Grand Junction to Grand Mesa: This route boasts spectacular stands of aspen along with other varieties of turning trees. From Grand Junction, head east on I-70 through Palisade and along the Colorado River, where riverside cottonwoods slowly phase into yellow. At Colorado 65, head east and then south through more canyon country and up to the top of Grand Mesa, where glowing aspens stretch for as far as the eye can see.
Other favorite routes:
- Colorado 125 over Willow Creek Pass between Granby and Walden
- US 40 south from Steamboat Springs to Colorado 131 to Yampa; from Yampa, take County Road 7 southwest to Stillwater Reservoir
- Flat Tops Trail scenic and historic byway (Meeker to Yampa via County Road 17 and Forest Road 16 over Ripple Creek Pass)
Southwest Colorado Fall-Color Drives
Dallas Divide and Lizard Head Pass: Begin your journey in the town of Ridgway. Head west on Colorado 62 over Dallas Divide. Lining the route are unimpeded views of the Sneffels Range, an apron of aspen trees at its feet. At Placerville, head southeast toward Telluride on Colorado 145. All the way to Lizard Head Pass you’ll drive through dense groves of white-barked aspens with panoramas of Wilson Peak.
Kebler Pass: Head west out of Crested Butte over this improved dirt road (County Road 12) and you’ll be inundated with autumn glory. The ruddy colors of the Ruby Range make for a radiant contrast with the golden aspens below. At Colorado 133, you can head north toward McClure Pass for more, or return via the way you came for a repeat performance.
Other favorite routes:
- US 160 between Pagosa Springs and Cortez
- Colorado 135 between Crested Butte and Gunnison
- US 50 west from Gunnison to Colorado 149 south to Lake City and Slumgullion Pass
- Colorado 550 from Ridgway south through Ouray and Silverton to Durango.
South Central Colorado Fall-Foliage Drives
Cottonwood Pass: As you head down Cottonwood Pass Road west of Buena Vista, the massive Collegiate Peaks rise on all sides. As you pass beneath the mounts Princeton and Yale, you’ll enter one of Colorado's most aspen-laden valleys. And you'll see firsthand the fickleness of fall color — one slope all gold, another patch still a shade of summer green.
Colorado 17 from Antonito to the New Mexico border: As you head up the serene Conejos River Valley, stands of pinyon give way to the white trunks of aspen. Some of the oldest and tallest aspens in the state can be seen, photographed and enjoyed near La Manga Pass. For an even more unique experience, ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad for views not seen on any highway.
Other favorite routes:
- Gold Camp Road from Colorado Springs to Victor and then Colorado 67 through Cripple Creek north to Divide
- US 285 from Conifer to Fairplay over Kenosha Pass
- Top of the Rockies scenic and historic byway (US 24 from Minturn through Leadville to Twin Lakes via Colorado 82, and back to Colorado 91 over Fremont Pass to Copper Mountain)