Best Scenic Drives in Colorado

Explore Colorado's most breath taking scenic drives, where you'll encounter stunning landscapes dotted with towering mountains and lush forests to crystal-clear lakes and undiscovered valleys.

Our Favorite Scenic Drives in Colorado

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.

Trail Ridge Road

🚗 49 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 45 minutes

Moderate

This beautiful drive takes you through Rocky Mountain National Park, weaving through the alpine, and revealing sweeping views.

A gloomy, dramatic sunset shielded by dark clouds over the forested hills in Maine

Million Dollar Highway

🚗 24 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Moderate

A thrilling drive through the San Juan Mountains, with breathtaking views of rugged peaks, deep gorges, and weaving turns.

Independence Pass at the Continental Divide, Colorado, on a snowy day with clear bright skies above the sign

Independence Pass Continental Divide

🚗 37 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Moderate

This high-altitude road between Aspen and Twin Lakes offers stunning views, alpine meadows, and a few hairpin turns!

Sweeping view over Upper Ute Canyon in the Colorado National Monument

Rim Rock Drive, Colorado National Monument

🚗 31 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 25 minutes

Moderate

During this beautiful trip from Grand Junction to Fruita, you can expect incredible canyon views, and plenty of top photography moments along the way.

Scenic Lily Lake landscape in Rocky Mountain National Park, with waterfront surrounding by forests and blue skies

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Easy

This scenic route showcases Colorado's Front Range with its alpine forests and peaks, connecting Blackhawk to Estes Park.

View of the green-colored Red Cliff Bridge spanning the gorge near Mintum, Colorado, with a blue sky above

Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway

🚗 172 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 35 minutes

Easy

You'll enjoy unmatched views of mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and historic mining towns between Minturn, Aspen and back to Copper Mountain.

Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway

🚗 125 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Moderate

This byway winds through the Wet Mountain Valley, offering mountain views, pioneer history, and access to San Isabel National Forest.

National Conservation Lands sign at the entrance to the national monument area

Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

🚗 20 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Easy

Running along the Arkansas River, you can expect views of some of Colorado's highest peaks, including the impressive Collegiate Peaks.

Looking down the valley from the summit of Guanella Pass, in the fall, Pike National Forest, Colorado, USA

Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

🚗 24 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Moderate

Spanning from Georgetown to Grant, this drive offers alpine views, lush forests, and plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Aerial view down through a cliff gorge in Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado, with blue waters below and a bridge crossing

10.

Silver Thread Scenic Byway

🚗 126 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Easy

This drive showcases waterfalls, small towns, and the headwaters of the Rio Grande, before winding towards Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Aerial view of people enjoying afternoon boating on Lake Granby in Arapaho National Recreation Area, Colorado on sunny summer day.

11.

Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway

🚗 68 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 35 minutes

Easy

Follow the Colorado River's origins through lush valleys, offering access to fishing, wildlife, and dramatic mountain backdrops.

Lush forests and hills in the background, surrounding calm waters at Flat Tops Wilderness Area, Colorado

12.

Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway

🚗 103 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Moderate

Winding through forests, meadows, and wilderness areas, this drive offers panoramic views of the Flat Tops Wilderness and nearby lakes.