As the summer heat fades and the days grow shorter, Colorado erupts into a kaleidoscope of autumn hues. From the golden aspen groves blanketing the mountains to the ruby vines creeping up canyon walls, Colorado's fall foliage dazzles residents and visitors alike. This year, witness nature's technicolor display by exploring these top destinations for leaf peeping.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park provides front-row seats to Colorado’s most famous aspen groves. Each September, the green hillsides lining Trail Ridge Road transform into shimmering gold as thousands of aspen trees start changing color. Stop at Rainbow Curve Overlook around mile marker 10 for a stellar view of star-shaped leaves fluttering in the mountain breeze.
Continue up the scenic byway to Forest Canyon Overlook at mile marker 33 to behold sweeping vistas of golden foliage. Arrive early, as this popular lookout spot fills up fast. Don’t miss the spur road leading to Forest Canyon itself, where you can embark on leisurely nature walks through bright yellow trees.
With miles of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park also offers plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the golden forests. An easy family-friendly hike is the Copeland Falls Trail, a 2.2 mile loop passing aspens and waterfalls. For more solitude during peak foliage season, venture onto longer trails like the 10 mile Sky Pond Trek.
Be sure to stop by one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s visitor centers, like Beaver Meadows, to ask rangers about road conditions. Sections of Trail Ridge Road close seasonally due to weather.
Estes Park
At the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park provides convenient lodging and dining options for fall color trips. The historic Stanley Hotel served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining” and offers nightly ghost tours. For more affordable stays, choose from one of Estes Park’s many smaller motels and cabins.
Fuel up at Estes Park’s restaurants before a day of leaf peeping. Grab breakfast at Mountain Home Café & Brewery in downtown Estes Park. The extensive menu features pancakes, omelets, and sandwiches paired perfectly with Mountain Home’s signature coffee brews. The scrumptious baked goods at Rocky Mountain Creery will energize you for hiking. At the end of the day, enjoy farm-to-table dinners at Riverwalk Restaurant or Nepali cuisine at Namaste Nepal Restaurant.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Against a backdrop of towering sand dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park explodes with southwestern fall color. While aspens paint the Sangre de Cristo Mountains gold, the scrub oaks below ignite into fiery orange and red.
Stop by the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center when you enter the park to ask about foliage conditions. For panoramic views of the autumn landscape, hike up the 650-foot Star Dune. Or, explore the aspens and oaks along the 1.5 mile Mosca Pass Trail. When you need a break from hiking, try sandboarding down one of the tallest dunes in North America.
The Oasis at Great Sand Dunes provides convenient lodging and dining within the park. Check availability at the lodge or reserve one of the cozy cabins. The Oasis’s restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Outside the park, the towns of Alamosa and Blanca offer additional accommodation options, like Best Western Alamosa Inn or Blanca Bed & Breakfast. Pick up picnic supplies or grab a bite to eat in downtown Alamosa before heading into Great Sand Dunes.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Dramatic canyon walls create a spectacular autumn backdrop in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Drive the scenic South Rim Road and stop at the frequent overlooks to take in the colorful canyon scenery. Pull over at park highlights like Chasm View and Painted Wall View to marvel at the sheer cliff faces now accented with fall’s palette.
Stretch your legs on the easy Rim Rock Nature Trail loop, where you can admire the changing leaves on scrub oak and Utah juniper trees up close. Descend into the canyon on the strenuous Gunnison Route trail for views into the vivid depths. Remember to ask rangers about trail conditions and closures before venturing out.
No lodging or dining is available within Black Canyon itself, so stay in nearby Montrose or Gunnison. Book a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Montrose or the Best Western Rio Grande in Gunnison. Wake up to hot breakfasts at these hotels before driving into the park for a day of leaf peeping.
End your days of exploring with dinner in Montrose at Camp Robber or Stone House. Both restaurants highlight fresh regional cuisine and Colorado wines.
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
For high-altitude fall vistas, drive the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway connecting Georgetown and Grant. The 23-mile stretch of winding road traverses up to 11,669 feet, revealing bird’s eye views of colorful mountain scenery.
Pull off at one of the many turnouts to fully take in the bright aspens coating the hillsides in gold. Excellent spots include the Burning Bear Viewpoint near Georgetown and the overlook at the summit sign. The scenic drive also provides access to hiking trails like Geneva Lake and Mount Bierstadt.
Stop to stroll through Georgetown’s historic downtown and grab lunch at one of the cafes before your drive. Or pick up sandwiches and snacks to enjoy along the byway. Back in Denver, recover from a day of leaf peeping by relaxing at your hotel. The Ramble Hotel offers stylish rooms and an acclaimed restaurant in downtown Denver.
Colorado National Monument
South of Grand Junction, the steep cliffs and spires of Colorado National Monument blaze with autumn color. Drive the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive to experience dazzling overlooks perched atop sheer red rock. Look for changing scrub oaks that intensify to oranges and reds throughout September and October.
Must-see vistas include the steep drop-off at Monument Canyon Viewpoint and the panorama at Cold Shivers Point. Pull off at the Fruita section of Rim Rock Drive for easy hikes like the Coke Ovens Trail or the path to Old Lincoln Highway. Remember to arrive early, as the narrow Rim Rock Drive is restricted to one-way traffic during peak hours.
Base yourself in Grand Junction, where wine tastings, farm-fresh cuisine, and comfy hotels await after days spent leaf peeping. Some top picks include Element Hotel, Wine Country Inn, and 626 on Rood Restaurant.
Colorado’s fall foliage dazzles with its diversity, from fiery scrub oaks to shimmering aspen groves. Use this guide to explore the state’s most stunning displays of autumn color. Whether it’s a scenic drive, leisurely hike, or relaxing stay in a charming mountain town, Colorado offers boundless ways to soak up the vibrant season. As the days grow shorter and chillier, head to the mountains to enjoy nature’s blazing finale before winter arrives.