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If you want to plan the ultimate Colorado fall colors road trip in 2024 then you’ve come to the right place!

I’ve lived in Colorado for 8 years and have have spent each fall exploring the state in search of the best places to see fall colors. This itinerary is specifically designed to take you along some of the best scenic drives in Colorado on an epic road trip. From Rocky Mountain National Park, to Aspen, to Kebler Pass, this itinerary is jam packed with fall hikes, scenic views, and tons of fall foliage.

This fall colors road trip itinerary starts and ends in Denver, Colorado. If you’re flying into Colorado from out of state, Denver is going to be the most convenient place to fly to. You can also easily rent a car or a campervan in Denver for your road trip.

This itinerary is divided into 6 legs, with stops in 5 Colorado mountain towns. Inside each leg of the itinerary I share the driving distance and time; the most scenic route to take; and things to do along the way and at the destination.

How Much Time Do You Need For a Colorado Fall Colors Road Trip From Denver?

I recommend spending at least 7-10 days in Colorado to complete this entire itinerary. This gives you at least one full day in each road trip destination (although many of the destinations deserve more time!). If you have more than 10 days available, you can opt to spend more time on this itinerary, or head deeper into Western Colorado to see fall colors in Telluride and the San Juan Mountains.

If you don’t have 7-10 days available, I recommend skipping the first leg of this itinerary (Denver-Estes Park), and heading straight to Breckenridge from Denver (~90 minute drive). Leg 3 of the itinerary gives you the option to drive through Leadville and over Independence Pass to Aspen, or through Vail and Glenwood Springs. Depending on the route you take, you may want to spend more or less time on this leg.

Ultimately, this itinerary is designed to be flexible so you can adjust it based on where the fall colors are peaking during your trip, and what you want to see and do in Colorado!

When to Go On a Colorado Fall Colors Road Trip

The aspens in northern Colorado (Estes Park) typically peak earliest in mid-September, with the trees in the Central Mountains (every other destination in this itinerary) joining shortly thereafter.

The exact timing of when fall colors will peak across Colorado varies from year to year, but for the purposes of this itinerary, the last 2 weeks of September will likely be safest bet for epic leaf peeping conditions.

During years with a wet monsoon season fall colors typically peak a little later in the season and are more vibrant. During periods of drought, aspens start to change and peak earlier. An extra wet or cold start to fall could also cause the aspens to lose their leaves quickly after changing. You’re really at the mercy of mother nature when it comes to seeing fall colors in Colorado!

Recreating Responsibly During Fall in Colorado

Respect the Aspens

One of the most important things to remember when on your Colorado fall colors road trip is NOT carving into the aspen trees. This type of vandalism not only hurts the trees, it also makes them more susceptible to disease and fungus. Because an entire grove of aspens share a single root system, harming one tree hurts them all. It’s also worth noting that aspens are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, and many groves in Colorado are suffering from long term impacts from drought. Please treat the aspens respectfully so Colorado continues to have vibrant fall colors!

Practice Leave No Trace

With so many people leaf peeping in Colorado, it’s important that everyone does their part to minimize their impacts on the environment in these natural spaces. Here’s a quick refresher on the 7 Leave No Trace principles to help you guide your decision making while hiking and enjoying the fall colors in Colorado:

1. Plan ahead & prepare.
2. Travel & camp on durable services.
3. Properly dispose of waste.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

Colorado Fall Colors Road Trip Itinerary

Leg 1: Denver-Estes Park

Distance: 64 miles

Drive Time: ~90 minutes

The first leg of your Colorado fall colors road trip begins with a drive to Estes Peak. Leave Denver and drive to Boulder via US-36. From Boulder, continue north through Lyons following the signs for US-36 and Estes Park.

The main attraction in Estes Park is Rocky Mountain National Park, which is home to countless hiking trails and breathtaking mountain views. Fall is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park because it tends to be less crowded than the summer. Be aware, timed-entry reservations are required through mid-October.

Things to Do in the Fall – Denver to Estes Park:

• Stop in Boulder:
  • Hike to the summit of Mt. Sanitas (moderate-difficult) for a fun dog-friendly hike with great views.
  • Visit the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House.
  • Go shopping on Pearl Street.
• Visit Rocky Mountain National Park:
  • Hike to Emerald Lake & Lake Haiyaha (moderate).
  • Take a scenic fall drive along Trail Ridge Road.
  • Watch the sunrise at Sprague Lake.
  • Keep an eye out for elk while driving through the park!
• Explore Estes Park:
  • Visit the Stanley Hotel.
  • Grab coffee and breakfast at Kind Coffee.

Where to Stay in Estes Park:

• Hotel Estes (pet-friendly rooms available)
• Ponderosa Lodge (not pet-friendly)

Leg 2: Estes Park-Breckenridge

Distance: 120 miles

Drive Time: ~2 hours & 40 minutes

After enjoying the fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park, make your way from Estes Park to Breckenridge via the Peak to Peak Highway. This scenic byway is what I like to call the “back way” from Estes Park. It takes you through the mountains and provides stunning views of the fall colors before hooking up with I-70 near Idaho Springs. Once on I-70, continue driving to Exit 203 in Frisco, which will bring you into Breckenridge.

This is one of the longest legs of your Colorado fall colors road trip, and feel free to take your time as you drive Peak to Peak Highway. Once you get to I-70 you’ll likely hit traffic, so come mentally prepared for that.

Things to Do in the Fall – Estes Park to Breckenridge::

• Enjoy Driving Peak to Peak Highway:
  • Grab coffee at Tahosa Coffee House.
  • Hike to Lost Lake (easy) near Nederland.
• Stop in Idaho Springs/Georgegtown:
  • Pan for gold at the Argo Mill and Tunnel.
  • Grab Colorado-style pizza at Beau Jo’s.
  • Drive up Guanella Pass.
• Explore Breckenridge:
  • Get a cookie from Mountain Top Cookie Shop.
  • See Sapphire Point Overlook.
  • Pay a visit to Isak Heartstone, the Breckenridge Troll.

Where to Stay in Breckenridge:

• Gravity Haus (pet-friendly rooms available)
• River Mountain Lodge (not pet-friendly)

Leg 3: Breckenridge-Leadville OR Breckenridge-Vail

Distance: 40 miles | 36 miles

Drive Time: ~50 minutes | ~45 minutes

You have 2 different options for Leg 3 of your fall road trip in Colorado depending on whether you want to drive over Independence Pass or not. If you want to take Independence Pass into Aspen, then head to Leadville after your visit to Breckenridge. If you don’t want to drive over Independence Pass (or your vehicle is too large), then head to Vail instead.

Regardless of the destination you choose, this will be one of the easiest legs of your road trip. To get to Leadville, head out from Breckenridge back to I-70. Then take I-70 to CO-91 down to Leadville. If you’re going to Vail, just stay on I-70 until you arrive in town.

Things to Do in the Fall – Breckenridge to Leadville:

• Explore Leadville
  • Hike Mayflower Gulch.
  • Book an appointment to shop at Melanzana (they’re currently 8 months out, so start planning for fall 2025!).
  • If you’re physically prepared and the weather permits, climb a 14’er– Sherman, Elbert, and Massive are all nearby. Be aware, any 14’er is a difficult hike. Make sure to research your route and dress/pack appropriately for your hike. Learn what you need to know about climbing a 14’er HERE.

Things to Do in the Fall – Breckenridge to Vail:

• Explore Vail
  • Visit Piney Lake.
  • Hike to Pitkin Lake (difficult) or Booth Falls (moderate-difficult).
  • Attend Vail Oktoberfest (September 6-15, 2024).

Where to Stay in Leadville:

• The Timberline (pet-friendly rooms available)
• Old Tale Inn (not pet-friendly)

Where to Stay in Vail:

• The Arrabelle at Vail Square (pet-friendly rooms available)
• Tivoli Lodge (not pet-friendly)

Leg 4: Leadville-Aspen OR Vail-Aspen

Distance: 60 miles | 100 miles

Drive Time: ~1 hour & 30 minutes | ~1 hour & 45 minutes

Leg 4 of your Colorado fall colors road trip will start in either Leadville or Vail, depending where you ended up during the previous leg. Regardless of the route you take to get to Aspen, you’re going to enjoy mountain views and beautiful fall foliage on this leg.

Getting to Aspen from Leadville will take you over Independence Pass, which is arguably one of the most scenic mountain passes in Colorado. The drive tops out at 12,095 ft. along the Continental Divide. While Independence Pass takes you above tree line, you’ll drive through aspen forests along the way. Be aware, vehicles over 20 ft. in length are NOT allowed over Independence Pass. 

The drive to Aspen from Vail is much easier. Just take I-70 to Glenwood Springs, and get on CO-82 towards Aspen. This route follows a major highway, so it’s not quite as scenic, but it takes you through Glenwood Canyon and allows you to make a pit stop in Glenwood Springs. 

Things to Do in the Fall – Leadville to Aspen: 

• Drive Over Independence Pass
  • Hike the Bartlett Gulch Loop trail (easy-moderate).
  • Stop on top of the Continental Divide.
  • See the Grottos (easy).

Things to Do in the Fall – Vail to Aspen:

• Stop in Glenwood Springs
  • Soak at Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
  • Hike Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon (permit required – moderate).
  • Visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Top Things to Do in Aspen in the Fall:

• See the iconic Maroon Bells (make sure you have a parking or shuttle reservation!).
• Drive Castle Creek Road (one of the best fall drives in Colorado!). Stop at Ashcroft ghost town or hike to Cathedral Lake (difficult).
• Visit Snowmass Resort for hiking and mountain biking trails, an alpine coaster, gondola, challenge course, and more.

Where to Stay in Aspen:

• Limelight Hotel Aspen (pet-friendly rooms available)
• Mountain Chalet Snowmass (pet-friendly rooms available)

Leg 5: Aspen-Crested Butte

Distance: 105 miles

Drive Time: ~3 ½ hours

The drive from Aspen to Crested Butte is my favorite scenic drive in Colorado during the fall. First, drive to Carbondale and get on Highway 133 towards McClure Pass. The road follows the Crystal River as it winds through the forest to the top of the pass.

Once on the other side of McClure Pass continue driving to Kebler Pass (aka County Road 12), which you’ll take into Crested Butte. Kebler Pass is THE quintessential Colorado fall drive, so be prepared to take your time and stop for photos (but keep in mind it is an active thoroughfare, so make sure you park off the road for photos and maintain the speed limit!).

Crested Butte is probably my favorite Colorado mountain town to visit during the fall, which is why I had to add it to the itinerary even though it makes for a long drive back to Denver. I anticipate that the drive from Aspen to Crested Butte will probably be your favorite leg of this road trip and I hope you’re able to fall in love with the area like I have.

Things to Do in the Fall – Aspen to Crested Butte:

• Enjoy the Crystal River Valley
  • Make a reservation to soak at Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs.
  • Visit Redstone or Marble and learn more about the area’s mining history.
  • Stop for a photo at the top of McClure Pass.
• Drive Over Kebler Pass
  • Hike the Dark Canyon, Irwin, and Dyke Trail loop (moderate), one of the best hikes in Crested Butte in the fall.
  • Go paddleboarding on Lake Irwin.
  • Drive over Ohio Pass.
• Explore Crested Butte
  • Grab pizza at the Secret Stash.
  • Hike or mountain bike through the aspens at Strand Hill (moderate).
  • Visit Gothic, one of Colorado’s ghost towns.

Where to Stay in Crested Butte:

• Elevation Hotel & Spa (pet-friendly room available)
• Lodge at Mountaineer Square (not pet-friendly)

Leg 6: Crested Butte-Denver

Distance: 190 miles

Drive Time: ~4 hours

After enjoying your time in Crested Butte it’s time to head back to Denver – taking the scenic route, of course! Leaving Crested Butte, head south before heading east over Cottonwood Pass (County Road 306). If you have time, you can spend a night in Buena Vista on the other side of Cottonwood Pass to extend your trip. 

From Buena Vista the last stretch of your Colorado fall colors road trip will take you back to Denver via U.S. 285, which is a more scenic alternative to I-70. You’ll pass Kenosha Pass along the way, which is one of the most popular fall hikes near Denver.

Fall in Denver peaks later in the year than in the mountains, so if you time your Colorado fall colors road trip properly things will probably still be pretty green once you get back to Denver. But hopefully by then you’ll already have your fill of Colorado’s colorful foliage!

Things to Do in the Fall – Crested Butte to Denver:

• Explore Buena Vista
  • Stay and soak at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort.
  • Visit St. Elmo ghost town.
  • Go rafting in Browns Canyon
• Scenic Stops Along U.S. 285
  • Hike Kenosha Pass. Be aware, this is one of the most popular fall hikes in Colorado so try to arrive early.
  • Visit Staunton State Park.

Where to Stay in Denver:

• The Art Hotel Denver (pet-friendly rooms available)
• Cambria Hotel (pet-friendly rooms available)

Map: Colorado Fall Colors Road Trip Itinerary

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