The Top 11 Leaf-Peeping Spots in Colorado & How to Get to Them
BEST SPOTS FOR THE COLOR CHANGE IN COLORADO
Last week, I brought you my tips on a stay in the Spanish Peaks of Colorado, including the fun you can have at Cuchara Mountain Park’s abandoned ski area. This weekend, I took an adventure to a different set of Colorado peaks, this time featuring a tiny town called Como full of abandoned railroad buildings which leads to the spellbinding Boreas Pass. Boreas Pass Road ascends from Como, winds along the Continental Divide at over 11,400 feet, and descends into downtown Breckenridge. It’s one of Colorado’s top #leafpeeping destinations, an hour drive, and has some of the most gorgeous golden and red aspens you’ll find in the state. It’s been my #1 leaf-peeping destination so far!
Here’s what we did:
Drove from Denver, via a detour through Conifer for extra awesome views, to Highway 285 South until we reached Como.
Stopped in Como for a few fun photoshoots. Como is a historic Colorado town, once popular during the days of the railroad and silver mining. It features the only standing Roundhouse in Colorado, and has several abandoned buildings from times past, which make for fun shoots.
Started the ascent up Boreas Pass, which begins at the edge of Como. It starts out rocky, but smooths out with more packed areas after a mile or so. You can do it in regular car; you don’t need a 4W drive vehicle for this one.
Once you really start to wind up the pass, it’s honestly stunning. There are a ton of hiking trails and camping areas, along with spots to pull off and take photos during peak leaf season, which we definitely took full advantage of. There is a lot of history to the pass, and at the summit you can see the Continental Divide, several old log buildings, and this old water tower.
Throughout Boreas Pass, you’ll find a ton of golden aspens during leaf-changing season. Around 100 years ago, there was a forest fire which cleared the way for a ton of aspens to grow in. Now, the trees are very tall and spread throughout the entire 1-hour drive. The best spot for photos, which you see in this post, is near the end of the drive, just about 10 minutes before you start to really descend down into Breckenridge. You could say we saved the best for last!
The descent from Boreas Pass into Breckenridge is also really beautiful. You can see the entire valley, and all of the golden aspens sprinkled throughout Breck. If you’re in the mood, you could stop somewhere in Breckenridge for a bite to eat after the pass. We brought a ton of snacks because we weren’t really sure what to expect for the day, and we kind of wanted a fun, DIY vibe for the afternoon.
Once you pop out of Breckenridge, you can take i70 back to Denver in about 90 minutes! Round trip, this adventure is about 4 hours, but that’s without really stopping for pictures like we did. We spent about 6 ½ hours total with all of our fun stops, and we really wanted to make a day of it. I really can’t recommend this fall trek enough- you can do everything at your own pace and there are a lot of fun spots to stop. @ziggyontherun had a blast on the adventure too! You can learn more about Boreas Pass here!
If you’re looking for more fun fall leaf spots, here are ten more options for you via Come to Colorado:
2. Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved road in North America winds through Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. With more than eight miles above 11,000 feet and a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road is an amazing vantage point for leaf-peepers and is a favored spot for photographers. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers guided hikes and tours and volunteer opportunities in the park.
3. Photographer’s Favorite: Kebler Pass
Gunnison is home to Kebler Pass, which boasts the largest aspen grove in North America and is one of renowned photographer John Fielder's favorite places. Ohio Creek Road is a great starting point, as it passes some unique natural landscapes, including a series of ranch buildings marking the abandoned site of Castleton and the spires of “The Castles” — remnants of volcanic ash and mud that erupted from the West Elk Volcano some 30 million years ago. Note: The pass is unpaved.
4. The San Juan Skyway
San Juan Skyway, a breathtaking 236-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, offers visitors an amazing array of fall colors and includes a 70-mile stretch known simply as the Million Dollar Highway. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers rides that coincide with optimal fall foliage. Another unique way to experience Colorado’s fall colors is with Soaring® Tree Top Adventures, home to 27 zip lines that pass by brilliant aspens.
5. Maroon Bells
The iconic Maroon Bells, two towering 14,000-foot mountains nestled in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, are the most photographed peaks in North America. Located in the 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest, the Maroon Bells tower over numerous hiking trails that offer unbeatable views of golden aspen trees. To see this magnificent site you must have a reservation.
6. Western Slope Colors
Colorado’s Western Slope is home to the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat top mountain, and Colorado wine country. In addition to the reds, whites and rosés made in Grand Junction and Palisade, fall brings with it glorious colors. Powderhorn Mountain Resort's vibrant scrub oaks contrast with golden shimmering aspens along the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway.
7. Buffalo Pass
This dirt road just west of Steamboat Springs, is lined with rows of glowing aspen groves. The pass winds 8 miles up toward the Continental Divide and Summit Lake, offering stunning views of the surrounding foliage. As the fall colors become more robust, locals recommend a hike to the pristine Zirkel Wilderness Area's Three Island Lake Trail, which takes hikers through coniferous forests and high meadows, past glacial lakes and vistas. The 6.1-mile (round-trip) trail is moderate in difficulty.
8. La Veta Pass
Peaking at an altitude of more than 9,400 feet, the La Veta Pass on U.S. Route 160 in southern Colorado (west of the town of La Veta) is one of the most scenic drives in the state during the fall season. Gold aspen trees mixed with dark green pines line the pass, while the magnificent Spanish Peaks and Sangre de Cristo Mountains tower over the foliage of the San Luis Valley.
9. Free Gondola Ride
The Telluride Free Gondola is one of the most popular ways to view Telluride’s amazing fall colors. The aerial views include the town of Telluride, its box canyon and colorful valleys lined with aspens and evergreens. For yet another way to see Telluride’s foliage, several trailheads are located right in town. Locals suggest the Jud Wiebe Trail, a 3-mile loop that winds through large aspen groves and passes by Comet Falls.
10. Dallas Divide
Colorado Hwy. 62 over the Dallas Divide represents an epic fall Colorado drive. Starting near Ridgway, visitors can get an amazing view of Mount Sneffels, one of Colorado’s 58 fourteeners, and the expansive Sneffels Wilderness Area, which offers several hiking trails for those wishing to venture out farther. The route eventually connects with Hwy. 45 and Lizard Head Pass, which offers views of Wilson Peak, the very mountain that inspired the iconic Coors logo. Read about other famous Colorado mountains.
11. Front Range Foliage
Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway is Colorado's oldest, having been established in 1918. The byway starts in Boulder and offers unmatched views of the Continental Divide and its dramatic fall colors. Though the byway is less than 60 miles in length, there are numerous stop off points along the route, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, all of which offer their own unique vantage points for leaf-peepers.
Thoughts? Spots I missed? Hit me on the ‘gram with your suggestions!
Chat more soon. xoxo