The 28 Most Stunning Scenic Drives in Colorado

I love finding scenic byways to drive or ride on whenever I visit a different state. Byways are a way to be one with nature and enjoy whatever the Earth around you has to offer. Most scenic byways, like the ones listed for Colorado, have many things for you and your friends to get into. It is nice knowing ahead of time what activities you can do to take a break from a long car ride. Take a look at the list of scenic byways you and your friends should drive down!

1. Peak to Peak Scenic Highway

Peak to Peak Scenic Highway is fifty-five miles long and begins at Estes Park to I-70. Lilly Mountain offers a short, flat trail around it on this scenic drive. The Wild Basin leads you into the southern part of the Rocky Mountain Park. You can take a break and hike to the Calypso Cascades to see the rushing waterfalls. Stop by the White River Museum in Meeker Park to learn about the Meeker Massacre that took place in 1879. This massacre was a clash set in motion to remove the Ute Indian Tribes from Colorado. In Allenspark, you can shop for Native American jewelry, baskets, and pottery. In Ward, there is a short, easy hiking trail in the Brainard Lake Recreational area. If you feel lucky after being one with nature, stop by one of the casinos in Black Hawk!

2. Lariat Loop

Lariat Loop is a forty-mile scenic byway with evergreens covering the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This loop is named after the Lariat Trail. Stop by Golden Town to grab classic beers at the Coors Brewery, or visit the School of Mines for some geology. Take a second to stretch your legs at the Golden Gate Canyon State Park. At the top of the loop, Buffalo Bill, a famous buffalo hunter, actor, and U.S. Army scout, is buried at the top of Lookout Mountain Park. There are tours offered of his grave, educating people about the history he made. I hope you packed your fishing rods because Evergreen Town has plenty of fishing opportunities.

3. Los Caminos Antiguos

Los Caminos Antiguos served as a gateway into Colorado for Spanish explorers arriving from the South. This 128-mile scenic byway runs through the San Luis Valley and continues into the San Juan Mountains. Take out your cameras to capture the beauty of the dunes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Fort Garland is a preserved military outpost that you will pass through. Fort Garland functioned in San Luis Valley from 1858 to 1883. The Buffalo Soldiers West Exhibit educates visitors about African American soldiers’ role in expanding the West. If you’re up for more adventure, take a train ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad ride.

4. West Elk Loop

The West Elk Loop offers historical homes and artifacts for you and your travel companions to learn about. This 205-mile-long byway runs through Carbondale Town, which has various galleries and boutiques to visit. Dip your fishing rod into the roaring river of this town for some beautiful Rainbow Trout. On your drive, you may see some beehive-shaped cooke ovens used to process coal. You may also see the Tudos-style Cleveholm manor, a home once occupied by the founder of Carbondale. This home has over forty-two rooms! Stop by one of the many farms in Paonia and Hotchkiss for fresh cherries or a bushel of nectarines.

5. Flat Tops Trail

Flat Tops Trail is only 82 miles long, but you can plan for a five-hour trip for side activities. This beautiful byway goes through lush river valleys, flat top wilderness and winds into Meeker. Take in the beauty of Yampa River, the longest free-flowing dam in Colorado. Stop at Rippie Creek Pass for a vintage point of White River Valley and the forested flat tops wilderness area. The vintage point is ten thousand, three hundred and forty-three feet high! Detour onto Forest Road 205 to picnic or fish at Trappers Lake. The lake is eight miles down and is the birthplace of the wilderness movement. The town of Meeker holds sheepdog championship trials every Wednesday through Sunday after Labor Day.

6. Unaweep Tabeguache

Unaweep Tabeguache Byway is 133 miles long. The Dolores River Canyon has smooth sandstone walls and winding rivers, making for an excellent photo opportunity. You may come across desert bighorn sheep hanging out on rocky ledges throughout your scenic drive. Unaweep Canyon is an excellent spot to camp, hike, or mountain bike. The canyon is located in the Uncompahgre Plateau, which has two mouths. If you want to extend your trip, stay at the Gateway Canyon Resort to rest or enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, mountain biking, or rafting. Stop at the overlook in Marvel to see the skeletal remains of the Hanging Flume, an aqueduct system used to carry water to a mining process in 1891. Take a spooky detour to the ghost town of Uravan. This town played a significant role in World War ll, and dinosaur fossils have been found here.

7. Silver Thread

Silver Thread is 120 miles long and has some beautiful scenery to see. Lake City has preserved buildings and tons of outdoor adventure to get into. Take a walk around the 800-year-old natural beauty, Lake San Cristobal, formed from the slumgullion Earth flow! Next, take a short drive on Forest Road 510 to see the North Clear Creek Falls. In Creed City, the Repertory Theater and Creed Underground Mining Museum have many things to see and learn about!

8. Highway of Legends

If the name Highway of Legends doesn’t spike interest, hopefully, the history this byway has to tell will. This 82-mile byway tells stories of the Tarahumare Indians. This scenic byway has many volcanic formations, ranch lands, and forests the eye can see. Cokedale is a national historic district that will make you feel like you are part of Rome. The arching alcoves you will see are remnants of coke ovens used for smelting coal.

9. Grand Mesa

The Grand Mesa is a beautiful 63-mile-long scenic byway with many opportunities to step away from the car and see what Colorado offers. Get your cameras ready to photograph the Lands End Overlook. This overlook is on the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, six thousand feet above the valley! The byway continues into the Grand Mesa National Forest, which has over 400 miles of trails for you to be one with nature. There are also many dining opportunities and lakes full of beautiful trout to capture. Cadaredge has many views of orchards and farms. Stick around and enjoy live music and wine tasting with the friendly locals. At the top of Grand Mesa are breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and forests. Once you reach the end of the byway, there are more opportunities to fish and hike on trails!

10. South Platte River Trail

The South Platte River Trail is the shortest scenic byway, with only 19 miles of road; however, it is the longest-standing byway around. It was used by thousands of pioneers long ago! The adventure begins at Julesburg. You can hunt or fish in the Julesburg State Wildlife area. Stop by the Sedgwick Bar for a refreshing cocktail with the locals. For more outdoor fun, like birdwatching, head to the South Platte. The Fort Sedgwick Depot Museum features Indian artifacts and discusses how they helped form the land we know today.12. Colorado River Headwaters

11. San Juan Skyway

San Juan Skyway is also known as “The Million Dollar Highway” because of the amount of gold ore found between Silverton and Ouray. The scenic road is 236 miles long, but there are plenty of walking tours in Durango to see many historic homes and buildings. You can also take a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage scenic train ride deep into the San Juan Mountains.14. Trail of the Ancients

12. Collegiate Peaks

Collegiate Peaks is a 57-mile scenic byway with many outdoor activities to get into during your short trip. In Salida, you can kayak, hike, mountain bike, and golf. If snow is on the ground, snowshoeing is an option as well. There are also several hot springs to take a dip in, so make sure to pack a bathing suit! You also have the opportunity to be pampered and spoiled at the Mount Princeton Hot Spring Resorts. Take out your fishing rods in Buena Vista to capture some excellent fish!

13. Pawnee Pioneer Trails

Pawnee Pioneer Trails is a beautiful 128-mile-long trail showcasing how nature can change the Earth. During your drive, you may see buffalo, antelope, and deer casually grazing in their natural habitat. There is plenty of photo opportunity at Pawnee Buttes, with all of the biological structures peeking through the national grasslands.

14. Gold Belt

Gold Belt scenic byway is about 131 miles long. Be sure to stop by the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Here, you will find fossils dating back to thirty-four million years ago. Cripple Creek and Victor were heavy mining towns, and have tours that you can do to learn the history of both places.

15. Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass runs through plenty of places where you can stop to take in the history that has taken place here. On this 22-mile-long byway, you will see bighorn sheep and beavers. Georgetown’s historic site has the Georgetown Loop Railroad, which goes through a forested gorge and silver mining lore. Here, you can explore the Lebanon Silver Mine for some treasure. Stop by the Energy Museum for some history and to see how the museum generates electricity for the town.

16. Mount Evans

Mount Evans is only 49 miles long, but there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery. The byway begins at Idaho Springs and goes into Bergen Park. Take a break from the car and tour the Argo Mill and Tunnel or the Underhill Museum. A beautiful section of the byway is exposed to the mountainside. Glaciers, cut valleys, rocky peaks, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep can be seen. Go hiking on the M. Walter Presman Trail, which is about 1.5 miles long.

17. Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long and is the highest paved road in Colorado. The byway begins at Estes Park and goes through the Rocky Mountain National Park. During your drive

18. Top of the Rockies

Top of the Rockies begins at Minturn and ends in Aspen or Copper Mountain (depending on which route you are ending on). The 115-mile-long byway goes through White River National Forest. This forest offers many outdoor opportunities, including cross-country skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. If you get tired, there is a bed and breakfast called the Minturn Inn. Options for trout fishing can be found between Minturn and Red Cliff. The byway continues into Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the U.S., at ten thousand, one hundred and fifty-two feet in altitude. The town is surrounded by five mountain peaks towering more than fourteen thousand feet!

19. Pikes Peak

The 19-mile byway is a toll road to Pikes Peak. This short byway has beautiful views of lakes, mountains, and wildlife. This highway also hosts an annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Prepare your rods to fish at the Crystal, North, and South Catamount Reservoirs. The Barr Trail is a great place to hike.

20. Skyline Drive in Canon City

Skyline Drive is a narrow, 2.6-mile drive with no guard rails, so take care in driving safely. This byway was completed in 1905 using the labor of sixty inmates! This beautiful byway has several photo opportunities overlooking Canon City. You may also see paleontological remnants along the way.

21. Loveland Pass

The Loveland Pass is named after the president of the Colorado Central Railroad, William A. H Loveland. The Pass is an 8-mile round trip that overlooks the beautiful Rocky Mountains. There are three popular ski resorts throughout this byway, with ski and mountain bike opportunities. You can hike on the Grizzly Peak Trail, which is about 7 miles.

22. Rim Rock Drive

The Rim Rock Drive is 23 miles long with nineteen view points and fourteen hiking trails. You may see sildlife along the byway like Golden eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and rock squirrels.

23. Alpine Loop

The Rim Rock Drive is 23 miles long with nineteen viewpoints and fourteen hiking trails. You may see wildlife along the byway, like Golden eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and rock squirrels..

24. Cache la Poudre

Cache la Poudre, in French, translates as Powder’s hiding place. This scenic byway is 101 miles long, with views of bighorn sheep perched on rocky surfaces. In Cache la Poudre Canyon, you can see the wilds of the rapids flowing with brown and rainbow trout. Stop by Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching.

25. Dinosaur Diamond

Dinosaur Diamond is a 486-mile-long byway, with evidence of dinosaurs prominent along this road. Enjoy the colors of the Colorado National Monument. As you continue along this road, the city of Dinosaurs has many dining options and dinosaur sculptures throughout the town. The Dinosaur National Monument showcases fossils and has a dig site you and your family can participate in.

26. Santa Fe Trail

Along the Santa Fe Trail has a historic grand adobe house that Felipe and Dolores Baca obtained for twenty thousand pounds of wool in 1873. Comanche National Grassland has plenty of photo opportunities of falcons, hawks, songbirds, and sunflowers. If you are traveling during the summer, you may come across two rare birds, the Piping Plover and Interior Least Tern at John Martin Reservoir State Park. The scenic byway is 188-miles-long.

27. Tracks Across Borders

The 125-mile-long byway begins in Durango. The railroad here provides a 45-mile detour to Silverton. Stop by the Sky Ute Casino Resort for slots, table games, and restaurants. Chimney Rock National Monument was once home to the Pueblo Indians. As you continue through the byway, you will pass Navajo State Park, which is fifteen thousand acres. This is a great place to fish, camp, and see bountiful wildlife.

28. Frontier Pathways

The Frontier Pathways scenic byway has flatlands, high plains, and buttes throughout the 103-mile-long drive. The adventure begins in Pueblo, where Lake Pubelo State Park is. The Park has four thousand six hundred and six acres of water!