Colorado.com Staff Writer

DFP Leaderboard: Article

<p>The <a href="https://www.colorado.com/colorados-scenic-historic-byways">26 scenic byways of Colorado</a> connect the dots between historic sites and acres of majestic scenery that span from red-rock canyons to the peaks of the Rocky Mountains to sun-kissed prairie.</p>


Quick Guide to Colorado's Scenic & Historic Byways

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Top of the Rockies, a Colorado Scenic Byway

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<p>Below are short descriptions of each Colorado Scenic &amp; Historic Byway, including the popular Trail Ridge Road, Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/fall-drives-5-color-drenched-colorado-scenic-byways">fall color drives</a> and other scenic drives and <a href="/articles/10-colorado-motorcycle-rides">motorcycle routes</a>.</p>
<p>Click the byway name for details and suggested itineraries.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-alpine-loop">1. Alpine Loop</a>^ </h2>
<p>Guide your 4x4 over high-elevation 1880s roads past thick-with-wildflower meadows, abandoned mines and ghost towns. And when riding OHVs through the Alpine Loop, make sure you follow Colorado's off-roading motto of "<a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-highway-vehicle-trips">Stay the Trail</a>." Connecting the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/lake-city">Lake City</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ouray">Ouray</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/silverton">Silverton</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byways-profile-cache-la-poudre-north-park">2. Cache la Poudre­–North Park</a></h2>
<p>Travel alongside one of America’s few Wild and Scenic Rivers and watch for grazing moose, granite canyon walls and historic landmarks. Between the historic towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Walden">Walden</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-collegiate-peaks">3. Collegiate Peaks</a>^</h2>
<p>Take this old stagecoach route through canyons carved by the Arkansas River and North America’s densest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks. Connecting the towns of Granite, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/buena-vista">Buena Vista</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/salida">Salida</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/poncha-springs">Poncha Springs</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-colorado-river-headwaters">4. Colorado River Headwaters</a>*^</h2>
<p>Trace the upper reaches of the Colorado River and gain insight into the mountain men, ranchers and thrill-seekers of the state’s past. Between <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/rocky-mountain-national-park-itinerary">Rocky Mountain National Park</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/state-bridge">State Bridge</a> via <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/granby">Granby</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/kremmling">Kremmling</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-dinosaur-diamond">5. Dinosaur Diamond</a>*</h2>
<p>Hunt for fossils and footprints made by massive dinosaurs and rock art left behind by early Indigenous people along sandstone canyons and mesas. <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/grand-junction">Grand Junction</a> to <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/rangely">Rangely</a> over Douglas Pass, through <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/dinosaur">Dinosaur</a> into Utah.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-flat-tops-trail">6. Flat Tops Trail</a>^</h2>
<p>Immerse yourself in the mountainous beauty that inspired the U.S. government to preserve its wilderness areas in their raw states.Connects the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/yampa">Yampa</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/meeker">Meeker</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-frontier-pathways">7. Frontier Pathways</a>*</h2>
<p>Glimpse relics of frontier life along a route that climbs upward, with plants, animals and geology that change every 1,000 feet. Between the city of Pueblo and the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/westcliffe">Westcliffe</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/colorado-city">Colorado City</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-gold-belt-tour-cripple-creek">8. Gold Belt Tour</a>*^</h2>
<p>See canyons dotted with the petrified remains of life from 35 million years ago and find the history of “the greatest gold camp in the world.” Between Florissant, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cripple-creek">Cripple Creek</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/victor">Victor</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/florence">Florence</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/canon-city">Cañon City</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-grand-mesa">9. Grand Mesa</a>*^</h2>
<p>Journey atop the world’s largest flattop mountain to see wide-open vistas and more than 300 stream-fed lakes. Between I-70 and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Cedaredge">Cedaredge</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-guanella-pass-mount-bierstadt">10. Guanella Pass</a>^</h2>
<p>Tour the preserved silver-mining town of Georgetown before rising in elevation to raw alpine wilderness. Between the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/georgetown">Georgetown</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/grant">Grant</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-highway-legends">11. Highway of Legends</a>*^</h2>
<p>Arc around the Spanish Peaks, where gold-seeking conquistadors, as well as Comanche, Pueblo and Tarahumara peoples once traveled. Linking <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/trinidad">Trinidad</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/la-veta">La Veta</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/walsenburg">Walsenburg</a> and Aguilar.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-lariat-loop">12. Lariat Loop</a>*^</h2>
<p>Drive one of the first routes developed by the City of Denver to help Coloradans experience its mountain parks. Connecting the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Golden">Golden</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Morrison">Morrison</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Idledale">Idledale</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Kittredge">Kittredge</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Evergreen">Evergreen</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-los-caminos-antiguos-great-sand-dunes-national-park">13. Los Caminos Antiguos</a></h2>
<p>Drift through the San Luis Valley, a mystical basin of vast farmland, the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Great Sand Dunes. Between Cumbres Pass and the city of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/alamosa">Alamosa</a> via <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Antonito">Antonito</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/San-Luis">San Luis</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/national-park-profile-great-sand-dunes-national-park-preserve">Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve</a>.</p>


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<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-mount-evans">14. Mount Blue Sky</a>^</h2>
<p><em><strong>Note:</strong> Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway will be closed for improvements through 2025. <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28508">More info.</a></em></p>
<p>Travel the highest paved road in North America on a serpentine ride to the summit of 14,266-foot Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans). Extends from <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/idaho-springs">Idaho Springs</a> to the summit of Mount Blue Sky and over to Bergen Park.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-pawnee-pioneer-trails">15. Pawnee Pioneer Trails</a></h2>
<p>Gain some perspective on the history of the plains as you navigate what was once a thoroughfare for ambitious settlers, entrepreneurs and migrating bison. Between the towns of <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/sterling">Sterling</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-morgan">Fort Morgan</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/grover">Grover</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ault">Ault</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-peak-peak">16. Peak to Peak</a>^</h2>
<p>Get up close and personal with the Continental Divide, mining ghost towns, Victorian opulence and stunning views of Longs Peak. Between <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Estes-Park">Estes Park</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/black-hawk">Black Hawk</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-san-juan-skyway">17. San Juan Skyway</a>*</h2>
<p>Behold the multihued San Juan Mountains as you travel through some of the state’s most precious silver-boom towns. Connects <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Durango">Durango</a>, Silverton, Ouray, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Ridgway">Ridgway</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Telluride">Telluride</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Cortez">Cortez</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-santa-fe-trail">18. Santa Fe Trail</a>*^</h2>
<p>Traverse the famed lifeline between Missouri and Santa Fe in the footsteps of fortune-seekers like Wild Bill Hickock, Kit Carson and Zebulon Pike. Between the Kansas state line near <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/holly">Holly</a> and the New Mexico state line at Raton Pass.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-silver-thread">19. Silver Thread</a>*^</h2>
<p>Roam through wonderfully isolated swatches of the San Juan Mountains, stopping to sample historic Main Streets and top-of-pass scenic overlooks. Stretching from <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/south-fork">South Fork</a> to <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/blue-mesa-reservoir-colorado-beach">Blue Mesa Reservoir</a> and Lake City.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-south-platte-river-trail">20. South Platte River Trail</a>^</h2>
<p>Imagine the sounds of the galloping Pony Express horses and Overland Trail settlers who rode along this South Platte River-guided course. Runs between <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Julesburg">Julesburg</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ovid">Ovid</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-top-rockies-leadville">21. Top of the Rockies</a>*^</h2>
<p>Cross the Continental Divide three times on this dramatic road that passes Colorado’s two tallest peaks — Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. Connecting <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Leadville">Leadville</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Minturn">Minturn</a>, Twin Lakes and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Copper-Mountain">Copper Mountain</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-trail-ancients-mesa-verde-national-park">22. Trail of the Ancients</a>*</h2>
<p>Witness the centuries-old cliff dwellings and petroglyphs of the Ancestral Puebloans along the first byway designated for archeological significance. Connecting the Utah state line near <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/hidden-colorado-gem-hovenweep-national-monument">Hovenweep National Monument</a> and the <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/things-do-four-corners-monument-region-colorado">Four Corners</a> (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet at one point) through the city of Cortez, CO.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-trail-ridge-road-rocky-mountain-national-park">23. Trail Ridge Road &amp; Rocky Mountain National Park</a>*^</h2>
<p>Make your way above treeline inside Rocky Mountain National Park along the sky-scraping expanses of North America’s highest paved through-road. Within Rocky Mountain National Park.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-unaweep-tabeguache">24. Unaweep Tabeguache</a></h2>
<p>Veer off the beaten path through some of the state’s wildest lands, and look for remnants of those who tried to tame it with copper and uranium mines in the late 1800s. Between Whitewater and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/placerville">Placerville</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-west-elk-loop">25. West Elk Loop</a>^</h2>
<p>Dip in and out of some of the state’s lushest river valleys on some of its most scenic and colorful mountain passes. Between <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/Carbondale">Carbondale</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/hotchkiss">Hotchkiss</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/gunnison">Gunnison</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/crested-buttemt-crested-butte">Crested Butte</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-tracks-across-borders">26. Tracks Across Borders</a></h2>
<p>Follows the creation and development of the Denver &amp; Rio Grande Railroad, the state’s first, and ultimately the nation’s largest, narrow-gauge railroad system. The route travels between <a href="/node/91086">Durango</a>, <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ignacio">Ignacio</a>, Arboles and into New Mexico.</p>
<p>* Also one of <a href="http://byways.org/">America's Byways</a></p>
<p>^ Electric-vehicle-friendly Byway</p>
<p>Colorado is home to 26 Scenic and Historic Byways, 13 of which are also federally designated America's Byways. Check out our <a href="https://www.colorado.com/colorados-scenic-historic-byways">Colorado byways microsite</a> with videos, trip tips and more; or view our <a href="http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?pbid=edfe2883-9dfe-4cb6-ac27-261c2bbba921">virtual Colorado Byways Guide</a>.</p>
