Top Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado

Fall is a wonderful time to visit Colorado to see the leaves changing from green to oranges and golds. Though snow can arrive early during fall, it’s often sunny and beautiful, perfect for scenic drives, hikes, or bike rides. Colorado’s fall doesn’t look like what you would find in New England. The quaking aspen trees are Colorado’s only widespread deciduous trees. Though you’ll find other deciduous trees, the golds and oranges of the aspen trees are what stand out most in the fall. Here’s our guide to the some of the top places in Colorado to see the fall colors, complete with the estimated best dates to visit, best viewing spots, and unique fall activities.

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Our Top Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado:

• Aspen
• Boulder
• Breckenridge
• Crested Butte
• Durango
• Evergreen
• Glenwood Springs, Hanging Lake
• Golden
• Keystone
• Ridgway
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Steamboat Springs
• Telluride

What is the Best Time to See Fall Colors in Colorado?

The best time to see fall colors in Colorado typically runs from mid-September to mid-October. The exact timing can vary each year depending on weather conditions. Trees in higher elevations and northern regions usually start showing colors by the second-third week of September. The colors typically peak around late September. As the month progresses, the fall foliage moves to lower elevations and more southern areas, where peak colors often occur in early to mid-October. It’s advisable to monitor local fall color reports and plan visits accordingly. The peak of the colors can come and go quickly, lasting only a week or two in many locations. We’ve included estimated date ranges for each location. Please keep in mind that these are simply averages. Fall foliage dates do vary year by year.

Aspen

Aspen is one of the first places that comes to mind when people think of visiting Colorado in fall. After all, Aspen was renamed “Aspen” after the widespread aspen trees in the area. The best time to visit Aspen for foliage is typically mid-September to early October. The leaves often peak by the 3rd week in September. Aspen is a 3+ hour drive from Denver or a quick flight to Aspen’s airport. For the scenic route, take the Amtrak train to Glenwood Springs and transfer to the RFTA bus to Aspen.

Our favorite place to enjoy the foliage around Aspen is Maroon Bells. It has iconic views of twins peaks set against the golden aspen trees. Maroon Bells Lake can be reached with just a 1/4 mile walk from the shuttle bus stop. Some enjoy a challenging road bike (or e-bike) from Aspen up to Maroon Lake. From Maroon Lake, consider hiking up to Crater Lake or West or East Maroon Pass to enjoy more fall colors. Visitors can choose from many scenic drives in the fall. Independence Pass, the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway, and Glenwood Canyon are all spectacular when the colors are changing. The Hotel Jerome is an ideal upscale place to stay in Aspen to experience Aspen’s history with a western feel. Don’t miss also visiting Aspen in summer.

Boulder

For visitors looking for fall foliage a bit closer to Denver, consider taking a day trip to Boulder. It’s just a 30+ minute drive (or bus ride) away. Fall is one of the best times to visit Boulder, with peak foliage in the first half of October. The Peak to Peak Highway just west of Boulder enjoys fall colors a bit earlier, often from mid-September to early October.

Fall is a perfect time to go for a hike, bike ride, or a scenic drive to enjoy Boulder’s foliage. A few recommended fall hikes around Boulder are the Enchanted Mesa and McClintock Trails at Chautauqua and the Wonderland Lake Trail in north Boulder. For those preferring a stroll, wander around the University of Colorado Campus or up to Mapleton. The top scenic drive in the area in the fall is along the Peak to Peak Highway. Don’t miss out on the many unique places to stay in Boulder, including the quintessential Hotel Boulderado.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is an easy to reach mountain destination with stunning landscapes in the fall. This former mining town is located just under a 2-hour drive from Denver. Because of Breckenridge’s altitude, the leaves change early here, typically starting in early-mid-September. One of our favorite hiking and biking routes is Boreas Pass, known for its aspen tree tunnels. The Minnie Mine Loop provides visitors with incredible fall colors and mining relics. Biking Swan Mountain Road to Sapphire Point Overlook provides views over the lake and fall colors.

For scenic drives, the French Gulch Area provides spectacular foliage just east of town. Outside of town, the Boreas Pass Loop to Como, Fairplay and Alma is a great alternative. Looking for lodging? There are many unique places to stay in Breckenridge, whether on the mountain such as One Ski Hill Place or in the heart of downtown.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte and neighboring Kebler Pass are renowned for their fall foliage. Driving along Kebler Pass, which has one of the largest aspen groves in North America, in fall is a truly memorable experience. To get to Crested Butte, either fly into Gunnison’s airport and take a bus or transfer from there, or drive about 4.5 hours from Denver. The best time to see the fall colors in Crested Butte is mid-September to early October.

Some of the top hikes to see the fall colors in Crested Butte are the Snodgrass Mountain Trail and the 3 Lakes Trail on Kebler Pass. For scenic drives, don’t miss the drives over Kebler Pass and Ohio Pass, and the drive up to the ghost town of Gothic. The Crested Butte Film Festival occurs in late September, showcasing international films during the peak of the fall colors. Another way to immerse yourself in the fall colors in Crested Butte is to take a 3-day fall photography workshop. The Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Spa or Public House Lofts are some of the most unique places to stay in Crested Butte.

Durango

Durango sits quite a ways off the beaten path in the southwestern corner of Colorado. It’s worth the 6-7 hour drive from Denver, or the short flight into Durango-La Plata County Airport to see the spectacular fall colors. Visitors can enjoy the town’s history, arts scene, and various outdoor activities with the fall foliage as a backdrop, typically between mid-September and early October. One of the best ways to see the colors is to take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This historic steam train travels through the San Juan National Forest, providing passengers with stunning views of the fall colors along the Animas River and the surrounding mountains.

For those preferring to explore on foot, the family friendly Spud Lake Trail is a great spot to see the fall foliage. For a scenic drive, the San Juan Skyway is our top choice for fall foliage viewing. This is typically a full day drive, allowing for plenty of photo stops on this 236-mile loop. It passes through high mountain passes and historic towns and is renowned for its breathtaking views. For those looking for apartment style lodging while in Durango, the Club Wyndham Durango offers top rated lodging with kitchens. For a hotel with a western feel and right next to the train station, try the General Palmer Hotel.

Evergreen

Evergreen is a quaint mountain town, located just a 40 minute drive from Denver. This makes it an ideal weekend getaway or day trip from Denver. The town offers great hiking and mountain biking trails, Evergreen Lake for paddle sports, art galleries, wildlife viewing, and spectacular scenic drives in the fall. The fall colors in Evergreen typically peak around late September-early October.

The easy 4.0 mile Elk Meadow Loop is a great spot for a scenic hike through the fall colors, with good chances to see the bugling elk. For a moderate family-friendly hike to see the fall foliage and waterfalls, try the 4.1 mile Maxwell Falls Trail. The Lariat Loop is the quintessential fall drive from Evergreen, looping through Golden and Morrison and going past the stunning Red Rocks Park. Spend a night in Evergreen at the Alpen Way Chalet to have more time to explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants in this cute mountain town.

Glenwood Springs, Hanging Lake

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Fall foliage is beautiful in Colorado especially along the I-70 corridor. Nestled in Glenwood Canyon is the best hike for incredible views and of course stunning fall foliage. Glenwood Springs, and Hanging Lake just east of it, are located about a 2.5 hours drive from Denver. This famous hike is a must do this fall, with peak viewing times typically around mid-September to early October! Colorful views will be visible along most of I-70 on the way there, but our favorite views are found at the lake!

Fall weather is unpredictable in Colorado especially in Glenwood Canyon. There may be snow, rain, or higher temperatures ranging from upper 70s to low 80s in mid-September through early October. This is a permitted hike that will need to be reserved and purchased before you go. It is also a more strenuous hike and dogs aren’t allowed on this trail. However, if you’re an adventurer and looking for THE BEST Colorado foliage hike, Hanging Lake is it! After your hike, head in to Glenwood Springs and relax in one of the hot springs. For a historic stay in Glenwood near the hot springs, stay at the Hotel Colorado.

Golden

Just 25 minutes from Denver, Golden offers a classic western mining town experience. Choose from galleries, shops, and restaurants in town, as well as the Golden History Museum and Coors Brewery Tour. Conveniently located just west of Denver, Golden is easily accessible via a short drive or light rail ride, making it a perfect destination for a day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway.

For scenic walks and hikes, consider an easy walk along Clear Creek or head into Golden Gate Canyon State Park for a moderate hike on Frazer Meadow via Blue Grouse Trail. One of the prime spots to enjoy the fall colors is along the Lariat Loop, a scenic byway that winds through the foothills and towns of Evergreen, Golden, and Morrison. Another highly recommended experience is to drive, bike, or hike up Lookout Mountain, ending at Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum. The drive provides panoramic views of Golden with its spectacular fall colors. Note that this is one of the quintessential bike climbs in Colorado, but is only appropriate for very strong cyclists acclimated to the altitude. The Golden Hotel is ideally located on the corner of the Clear Creek Trail and the town’s main street, Washington Avenue.

Keystone

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Keystone is well known for its ski resort, but when the snow melts it turns into another world! The pride and joy of Keystone in the fall shoulder season is its seemingly endless supply of aspen trees, making the foliage truly spectacular. Peak fall colors are typically between mid-September and early October. No doubt the most popular hike is the Keystone Gulch Trail. At 15.5 miles, doing the whole hike is not for the faint of heart. Visitors can opt to just hike in a mile or so and can still enjoy the fall colors, or can opt for the shorter Keystone Aqueduct Trail. There are also tons of trails and viewpoints around the White River National Forest⁩ for beginners or people visiting for a short time. 

Most travelers opt for hiking this time of year, but it’s also one of the best times of year to take advantage of the mountain biking trails at the ski resort.  One of the closest Keystone fall color drives heads up Montezuma Road to the small town of Montezuma. There are also some cute bars and restaurants in the Silverthorne area nearby. Grab a coffee before your hike at Red Buffalo or enjoy a nice dinner on the river at Sauce on the View.

Ridgway

Ridgway, Colorado is another off-the-beaten path, location located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, renown for its spectacular fall colors. It’s accessible via a scenic drive from Montrose or Telluride, and is a perfect base for exploring the southwestern part of the state during early September-mid-October. The higher elevations see their leaves changing colors earlier than those in lower elevations.

One of the easiest hiking options (and also a great short bike ride) is the Uncompahgre River Trail. Nearby Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir provide visitors with more excellent fall color hiking opportunities. The town is perhaps best known as a gateway to the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile loop with some of the most dramatic fall views in North America. The stretch between Ridgway and Telluride provides incredible opportunities to view expansive aspen groves with a backdrop of rugged mountain peaks. For those seeking a shorter drive, the Dallas Divide area is a stunning spot for photos and is just 12 miles west of town. The Hotel Palomino is a unique and low key place to stay in Ridgway itself, or enjoy the Hot Springs Inn in neighboring Ouray.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Though many think of Rocky Mountain National Park as a summer destination, fall is not to be missed. The best time to see the fall colors is typically mid-September to early October, though the higher elevations start and end earlier than this. The first half of September has fewer crowds, though it picks up again during the second half of the month. While it can be done as a day trip from Denver (with a 1.5 hour drive each way), we recommend spending 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Don’t forget to reserve your timed entry permit before you go.

Alberta Falls is one of the top fall hikes in the park. It’s relatively easy, with beautiful foliage. It can easily be extended for a more moderate or challenging hike. On the west side of the park, Adams Falls is an easy and beautiful fall hike that can easily be extended on the East Inlet trail. Some of the top scenic drives in the park are Old Fall River Road, Bear Lake Road, and Trail Ridge Road. Check the park website for status of the roads, as Trail Ridge Road does close for the winter, typically in October. The park rangers also lead excellent ranger programs, ranging from hikes to astronomy sessions and more. Consider staying at the Rams Horn Village Resort in Estes Park or the Grand Lake Lodge in Grand Lake (on the west side of the park).

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs, in northwestern Colorado, provides a quintessential fall mountain experience. It’s easily accessible by car (typically a 3-4 hour drive from Denver) or by flying directly into the Yampa Valley Regional Airport. Many visitors connect a road trip through Rocky Mountain National Park with a stop in Steamboat Springs after. The drive winds through some of Colorado’s most scenic foliage, typically peaking mid-late September to early October, depending on elevation.

Things to do in Steamboat Springs include the gondola, offering scenic foliage rides to the top of Mount Werner, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views. The gondola only runs Fridays-Sundays during September. For hiking enthusiasts, the Flash of Gold Trail is one of the top hiking trails for viewing fall colors. For those who prefer to explore by car, some of the top scenic drives are Rabbit Ears Pass, Buffalo Pass, and the drive south of highway 131 to Yampa (connecting to the Flat Tops Scenic Byway). One of the classic, unique places to stay in Steamboat is the Rabbit Ears Motel. It’s pet friendly, located just across the street from the hot springs pool, and close to downtown. Staying at the Torian Plum Plaza puts you right next to the ski mountain, and walking distance from trails, restaurants, and shops at the base of the mountain.

Telluride

Sitting in a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Telluride is one of the most picturesque towns to visit during the fall season. Telluride is a favorite destination in summer and winter, but shines in fall as well. The leaves typically start changing in mid-September, peaking in late September-early October. Most visitors either drive the 6-7 hours from Denver, or choose to fly into the Montrose airport.

One of the best ways to experience the fall foliage is a ride on the free gondola that connects Telluride with Mountain Village. Some of the best fall hikes are the moderate Bear Creek Falls Trail and the moderate-difficult Bridal Veil Falls Trail. For those who enjoy scenic drives, the top choice is the 236 mile San Juan Skyway mentioned previously, or the shorter Million Dollar Highway portion of the San Juan Skyway. For a 2-3 hour drive, head out on Last Dollar Road, which showcases some of the area’s most impressive fall colors. Staying in town (vs. on the mountain) allows you easy access to the many restaurants, galleries, and shops. The Auberge Residences at Element 52 is a wonderful high end option and The Bivvi Hostel Telluride is a more moderately priced option.

We are always looking for new spots to enjoy our beautiful state in the fall. Please comment if you have other must visit spots to see the fall colors in Colorado!

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