Colorado Scenic Drives - Front Range Region.
Scenic drive along Colorado's Front Range where you will experience the beauty of Colorado's wild and scenic rivers, majestic mountains and abundant flora and wildlife. Find the peak time in the Fall to see the colorful aspen trees change. You also get to choose what you see and do during your visit to Colorado's Front Range. Colorado Scenic Drives.
For purposes of this site; we are assuming that your starting point is on the western side of the mountains along the front range and will be writing the content of this site with this assumption at hand. If you're starting point differs, just adjust the times and distances accordingly to your preferred starting point. That being said, here are our favorite drives and a little about why we choose to include each as Scenic Colorado Drives.
Scenic Drives along Colorado's Front Range.
Our #1 pick is the picturesque Cache La Poudre-North Park drive. This three hour drive begins Colorado's fifth largest city, Fort Collins. The city of Fort Collins is located 75 miles and 1-1/2 hours north of Denver. Our favorite drive follows one of America's designated Wild and Scenic Rivers- the Cache la Poudre. May through September is the best time to enjoy the swiftest and highest whitewater. Travel along tumbling whitewater canyons as you pass through the Medicine Bow Mountains. Be sure to stop and explore the beauty of over 70,000 acres of rugged pine and willow covered hills, jagged peaks and alpine lakes in the Colorado State Forest State Park, home to the largest population of moose in the state. You are sure to see this regions varied wildlife while enjoying the many hiking trails in the park. Other outdoor recreational favorite activities include camping, four-wheeling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife viewing and geocaching. This 100 mile drive ends in the remote historical town of Walden in North Park at the headwaters of the North Platte River and rimmed by majestic mountain ranges. The town of Walden is beautiful as it sits high on a glacial plain and offers several inns and restaurants.
Even though this drive is a mere 22 miles it is well worth your time. It begins in the historic town of Georgetown in the Silver Plume National Historic District, founded during the great silver boom. As fellow outdoor enthusiasts this drive, just off Interstate 70, along Guanella Pass will enthrall you. Like us, you will want to get out and explore this positively beautiful back country wilderness where you can see mountain goats, golden eagles and bighorn sheep. Tour the Lebanon Silver Mine, or ride across the Devil's Gate High Bridge on a narrow gauge train along the Colorado Historical Society's Georgetown Loop Railroad. While on the drive you will climb to heights of nearly 12,000 feet with views of the majestic 14,000 foot Mt. Bierstadt.
It's fall and you're looking for the best route to see the colorful quaking aspen trees at their peak. This my favorite time to drive along this route. Plan to take this two hour drive late in September to enjoy the best views of Colorado's colorful aspen trees at their peak. The historic and beautiful Peak to Peak scenic highway starts in the gold rich historic town of Central City. Known for its Victorian era architecture, tours of ghost towns and casino gambling. The towns of Central City and Black Hawk were home to a gold rush in the 1850's. After leaving this historic area you will travel through the breathtaking James Peak and Indian Peaks Wilderness Areas into the old mining town of Nederland. The amazing mountain views will continue to enthrall you as you approach Longs Peak and the Rocky Mountain National Park dropping down into the scenic town of Estes Park.
Along Colorado's Front Range is the 48 mile drive that holds bragging rights to being the highest paved road in North America. Trail Ridge Road took from 1929 to 1032 to build as heavy snow allowed road building only three months at a time. We enjoy viewing and hiking along the many historic trails that were used by the Ute Indians for hunting and gathering. The most well known path is the Ute Trail which is maintained by the National Park Service. Estes Park is at this byways end and is famous for the Stanley Hotel which inspired Stephen King's book and movie- The Shining. This 2-3 hour byway is closed in the winter between Many Parks Curve and Kawuneeche Visitor Center.
The Lariat Loop drive was created by Denverites in the early 1900's to enable visitors and locals alike to enjoy the splendor of the nearby mountain parks. Allow at least 2 hours to fully experience the majesty of the 2,000 feet high Lookout Mountain, downtown historic Golden and Buffalo Bill's grave and Museum on Lookout Mountain high above Denver. Weave your way along the old Lariat Trail otherwise known at Lookout Mountain Road to the beautiful mountain lake, Evergreen Lake, pass trough the mountain town of Morrison past the Red Rock Park and Amphitheater. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a geological phenomenon, it's the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. Besides listening to concerts in the most beautiful outdoor setting other park activities include hiking, biking, shopping and dining. Your scenic drive continues along the 220 foot Dakota Hogback where you should stop to explore the dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Ridge. Hike along free trails where guides are available along the trail to explain the geology and fossils. Stop by the Lookout Mountain Nature Center booth manned by naturalists and volunteers. Explore the ripple patterns left by Colorado's ancient ocean along beaches near Morrison.
Mount Evans byway reaches altitudes of over 14,000 feet and is known as the highest paved road in North America. The drive begins in Idaho Springs off I-70 and travels through fresh conifer forests along trout filled clear mountain streams offering views of Pikes and Long Peaks. Enjoy viewing wildlife, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Learn about Colorado's exciting mining history by taking one of the mine tours while you are in Idaho Springs. After an exhausting day of shopping and touring in the area be sure to go soak in the geothermal hot springs that the town is named for. While you're there consider spending the night at the Hot Springs Lodge. Popular activities for travelers along this scenic byway include fishing, camping, horseback riding, four-wheeling, rafting, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing just to name a few. A pleasant place to stop for a picnic along this drive is near the top of Mount Evans at glacial carved Summit Lake. You will find walking trails that will take you right to the waters edge. Be sure to bring a jacket on this trip as the air is cooler as you climb towards the peak. The breathtaking views of the front range and the continental divide make this breathtaking drive well worth the trip.
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