🚗 Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways: Complete Guide

From alpine passes to desert canyons, Colorado’s scenic and historic byways take travelers through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America. Each byway offers unique history, culture, and views you can’t get from the interstate.

🛣 Byway Travel Tips

  • Season: Many high mountain routes (Trail Ridge Road, Alpine Loop, Independence Pass) close in winter.

  • Vehicle: Some routes like Alpine Loop require 4WD; check road conditions before traveling.

  • Highlights: Stop at historic towns, visitor centers, and scenic overlooks for the full experience.

Here’s the full list of Colorado’s byways organized by region.

Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android

North & Northeast Colorado

  • Cache La Poudre – North Park Scenic Byway – Mountain river canyon and alpine meadows between Fort Collins and Walden.

  • Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway – Sweeping prairie views and historic homesteads in Colorado’s northeast corner.

  • South Platte River Trail – Historic pioneer route near the Nebraska border.

Front Range & Denver Area

  • Peak to Peak Highway – Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, with views of the Continental Divide between Estes Park and Central City.

  • Lariat Loop – Historic loop connecting Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison with mountain parks and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

  • Guanella Pass Scenic Byway – Alpine pass linking Georgetown and Grant with high-elevation views.

Central Colorado

  • Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway – Connects Cripple Creek, Canon City, and Florissant through gold rush history.

  • Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway – From Pueblo into the Wet Mountains with historic missions and mining towns.

  • Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway – Views of Colorado’s tallest mountains along the Arkansas River Valley.

  • Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway – Crosses high passes between Leadville, Copper Mountain, and Minturn.

  • Trail Ridge Road – The highest continuous paved road in North America, inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

South & Southeast Colorado

  • Highway of Legends Scenic Byway – From Trinidad through Cuchara and La Veta, rich in legend and volcanic history.

  • Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway – San Luis Valley heritage route passing Great Sand Dunes NP and historic adobe towns.

  • Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway – Historic trade route following the Arkansas River near the Kansas border.

Western Slope & Southwest Colorado

  • Alpine Loop Scenic Byway – High mountain jeep route connecting Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City.

  • Silver Thread Scenic Byway – Scenic drive between South Fork and Lake City along the Rio Grande.

  • West Elk Loop Scenic Byway – Loops through Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Paonia with mountain and canyon views.

  • Grand Mesa Scenic Byway – Ascend the world’s largest flat-topped mountain with hundreds of alpine lakes.

  • Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway – Follows the Colorado River from Grand Lake to State Bridge.

  • Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway – Remote plateau between Yampa and Meeker.

  • Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway – Dinosaur fossil sites and canyons between Fruita and Dinosaur NM.

  • Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic Byway – Dramatic canyon drive from Grand Junction to Placerville.

  • Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway – Archaeological treasures from Mesa Verde to Hovenweep.

  • San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway – Famous loop through Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango.

  • Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway – Cultural route from Durango into New Mexico, following historic rail corridors.

Planning Your Visit?

Pre-order your GreenDoor Experience Box for pickup and enhance your Denver adventure the right way.

Order now at www.greendoorbox.com