The waters are receding and Colorado Springs is starting to dry out. Time to start enjoying Colorado’s beauty again. I can’t believe that it is already October and the store displays are filled with Halloween decor. By this time last year the Aspens had already all turned their colors. It is a beautiful spectacle and should not be missed – it’s not over yet and if you have any time at all, hop in the car or on your motorcycle and drive one of the scenic byways.
Changing of the Aspen Colors:
Below are the best drives but you don’t have to go far (or even use your car) to enjoy fall colors.
- Here is an interactive map if you’d like to map your bike tour.
- Hiking among the changing colors is beautiful! Mueller State Park is a nearby favorite for hiking among the fall foliage. Click here for more hiking suggestions.
- If you are “hard core” plan to run the Golden Leaf Half Marathon in Aspen. I’ve done it a couple of times and it is breath taking.
If you live in Colorado Springs, then the Gold Belt Tour -basically to Cripple Creek- is close and would make for a pleasant afternoon drive. Shorten the drives to make them fit your time schedule. It’s all so beautiful out there!
Enjoy the colorful Aspen on these beautiful drives on Colorado scenic byways:
South Central
Los Caminos Antiguos
Length: 129 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
Top of the Rockies
Length: 82 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
Length: 117 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
Closest to Colorado Springs: Gold Belt Tour
Length: 131 miles. Driving time: 5 hours.
Closest to Colorado Springs: Frontier Pathways
Length: 103 miles. Driving time: 3.5 hours.
Collegiate Peaks
Length: 57 miles (one way). Driving time: 90 minutes.
Southeast
Scenic Highway of Legends
Length: 82 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Santa Fe Trail
Length: 188 miles. Driving time: 4 hours.
Southwest
Alpine Loop
Length: 63 miles. Driving time: 4-6 hour.
Trail of the Ancients
Length: 116 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
San Juan Skyway
Length: 236 miles. Driving time: 6 hours.
Unaweep Tabeguache
Length: 133 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
West Elk Loop
Length: 205 miles. Driving time: 6-8 hours.
Northeast
Pawnee Pioneer Trails
Length: 128 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
South Platte River Trail
Length: 19 miles. Driving time: 30 Minutes.
Northwest
Colorado River Headwaters
Length: 80 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Flat Tops Trail
Length: 82 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Grand Mesa
Length: 63 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Dinosaur Diamond
Length: 486 miles. Driving time: 2 – 3 days.
North Central
Guanella Pass
Length: 22 miles. Driving time: 1 hour.
Mount Evans
Length: 49 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Peak to Peak
Length: 55 miles. Driving time: 80 minutes.
Cache la Poudre-North Park
Length: 101 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
Trail Ridge Road – Rocky Mountain National Park
Length: 48 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Lariat Loop
Length: 40 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.
Due to the flooding damage, please check the road conditions at www.cotrip.org before traveling to any byway.
Resources:
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways — CDOT
Colorado Scenic Byways – Colorado’s Most Scenic Drives
Photo source: Fox31 Denver
