Every September, a palpable rush begins in the high country. The race to see the best of Colorado’s fall colors is a brief, frantic window where entire mountainsides ignite in colorful hues. The brilliant gold carpets entire basins and climbs up rugged slopes and along with it come the waves of people trying to glimpse or photograph it.
However, the entire spectacle unfolds in a flash and the peak color is fragile to the elements. A weekend of strong winds or an early dusting of snow can strip the trees bare overnight, ending the show for the year, so capturing it requires accurate timing. The color will often appear in the state’s northern mountains around the third week of September. The wave of gold then travels south and down in elevation, ending in the southern ranges by the second week of October.
If you are planning a trip this fall to see the best of the fall colors in Colorado, here's a guide on what to expect in each city and where to stay.
Aspen
- Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Glenwood Springs
- Check out while you’re there: Leisure Hike East Aspen Hunter Creek
One of the most affordable ways to see the striking Aspen, Colorado, fall colors is to stay an hour away in Glenwood Springs, using the Courtyard by Marriott as a convenient base of operations. Staying outside of town turns the 40-mile drive up Highway 82 into a unique part of the experience, a beautiful ascent through the golden groves of the Roaring Fork Valley.
A visit to the Maroon Bells in Aspen, North America’s most photographed peaks, is impossible without planning. Reservations for the mandatory shuttle bus or the extremely limited parking permits must be secured weeks, sometimes months, in advance through the Aspen Chamber website. Arriving without one means you’ll be turned away from seeing the iconic view of the peaks reflected in the lake.
For a beautiful hike without the crowds, take the Hunter Creek Trail, which starts right from the edge of town. For a less-traveled but equally stunning drive, skip the Maroon Bells traffic and take the parallel Castle Creek Road up to the Ashcroft ghost town. Those looking for solitude will find many other unique places in Colorado to explore beyond the famous postcard shots. Finish the day with a meal at Element 47 for some artfully plated meals in their gorgeous patio dining room overlooking a lush garden.
Kebler Pass
- Where to stay: The Lodge at Mountaineer Square
- Check out while you’re there: Three Lakes Loop
The drive over Kebler Pass is where you can see the iconic fall colors Colorado is famous for. It takes you through the heart of one of North America’s largest aspen groves. The two-lane road, mostly well-graded gravel, places you directly within an endless forest of gold. You can also stay in the authentic mountain town of Crested Butte at the The Lodge at Mountaineer Square.
For the best views, take the short detour to the Three Lakes Loop, a trio of connected reservoirs that includes Lake Irwin, Lost Lake and Lost Lake Slough. The calm water here produces flawless reflections of the surrounding golden forests, creating the ideal conditions for a gorgeous mountain photograph.
For a scenic drive with fewer people, take the Ohio Creek Road loop to see the unique “Castles” rock formations. Afterwards, explore the historic, Victorian downtown of Crested Butte, which is full of colorful buildings. End your day with dinner at Elk Ave Prime, a venue famous for its delicious cuts of meat and for using industrial elements in its decor.
Rocky Mountain National Park
- Where to stay: The Westin Westminster
- Check out while you’re there: Star Tours, Rocky Mountain National Park
A fall visit to the famous Rocky Mountain National Park is impossible without a timed entry permit secured online in advance. Be aware that the park uses two different types, with a specific and more sought-after permit required for the popular Bear Lake Road corridor. You can settle in at The Westin Westminster, then drive into Horseshoe or Moraine Park at dawn or dusk. The sound of bugling elk echoing across the meadows is an unforgettable spectacle and a huge reason the park is rated as one of the best family vacations in Colorado.
The park’s signature drive is Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America, which climbs to an elevation of 12,183 feet. Pull over at the numerous overlooks, especially the Forest Canyon Overlook, to see the vast alpine tundra turned a deep rusty red. It’s also a good idea to always check the road’s status before you go, as early-season snowstorms can close the high passes without warning.
The Bear Lake Road corridor holds the park’s most spectacular aspen groves. For a highly rewarding and relatively easy hike, take the 1.7-mile round-trip trail to Alberta Falls, which winds through a dense forest of shimmering gold. Ambitious hikers can continue farther up the trail toward the stunning Emerald Lake. After your hike, book a table at Bluebird Bistro for a fantastic meal made with locally sourced ingredients.
Kenosha Pass
- Where to stay: Kenosha Pass Campground
- Check out while you’re there: Georgetown via Guanella Pass Private Colorado Adventure Tour
One of the best ways to experience fall colors in Kenosha Pass is to camp directly within the colors at the Kenosha Pass Campground. These sites are incredibly popular and must be booked on Recreation.gov the instant they become available, usually six months to the day in advance. Be warned that the pass’s proximity to Denver means you’ll experience intense weekend traffic, so a weekday visit or a weekend arrival before 8 a.m. is a must for the best parking.
The Colorado Trail crosses the highway at the pass’s summit, giving two completely different hiking experiences. Head west for a relatively flat, immersive walk through the thickest part of the massive aspen grove. Head east for a much more strenuous hike that rewards you with panoramic views of the entire golden landscape.
The pass is a premier stop on any fall drive along Highway 285, making it a cornerstone of the ultimate Colorado road trip itinerary. For another stunning foliage drive nearby, take the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway between Georgetown and Grant. After your hike, head to The Slogar for a well-earned meal and brew.
Grand Mesa
- Where to stay: Hampton Inn by Hilton Downtown Grand Junction
- Check out while you’re there: Arches National Park Tours from Moab
The easiest way to explore Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, is to base your trip in Grand Junction. A comfortable room at a place like the Hampton Inn Downtown gives you a perfect setup. You can explore the wild, remote plateau, dotted with over 300 lakes, by day and return to the city’s restaurants and amenities by night.
The journey up the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, Highway 65, is a dramatic 6,000-foot climb from the high desert valley floor into dense alpine forests. A mandatory side trip for the adventurous type is the Canyonland National Park Backcountry Tour. The park has a breathtaking, panoramic view looking thousands of feet down to the valley below. Another good option is to take the Zip Line Adventure in Moab, which could offer you some of the best views.
For a serious challenge, experienced hikers can take on the Crag Crest Trail, a gorgeous 10-mile loop that traverses a narrow, rocky spine with 360-degree views. For a more relaxed walk, dozens of gentle trails circle the numerous lakes that dot the mesa’s surface. End your day back in the valley with a reservation at The Winery Restaurant to sample a meal from the heart of Colorado’s wine country.
San Juan Mountains
- Where to stay: Ouray Quality Inn
- Check out while you’re there: 4 Hours Durango Jeep Tour
The San Juan Mountains are a dramatic and rugged landscape in the Southwest Colorado Rockies. The town of Ouray, aptly nicknamed the “Switzerland of America,” is the perfect base camp for this region. From here, it’s easy to reach the spectacular San Juan Skyway, a scenic byway that carves its way through historic mining towns and over breathtaking mountain passes.
The byway’s most famous stretch for fall colors is the Million Dollar Highway, the section of US 550 between Silverton and Ouray. For a less stressful drive, travel it from south to north, a route that places your vehicle on the inside lane, away from the road’s notorious sheer cliff drops. To explore the remote, aspen-filled basins far beyond the highway, book a guided jeep tour and let a professional handle the treacherous old mining roads.
Complete the Skyway loop by heading west to visit the town of Telluride, situated in a stunning box canyon. Ride the free public gondola for an unparalleled aerial view of the valley floor, aglow with fall color. Finish the day in Ouray with a delicious dinner and wine at Rustico Ristorante.
Planning Your Trip
Securing lodging and dinner reservations in Colorado’s mountain towns requires planning far in advance, as the best options are often fully booked by early summer. AAA Trip Canvas can help you lock in the best options with special prices, while a membership can unlock special rates or deals you might not find anywhere else.
Aside from that, there are other things you need to keep in mind, like:
- You need a timed entry permit or shuttle reservations to get to busy places like Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells.
- Acclimatize to the high altitude to avoid getting sick. Spend your first day in a lower-elevation city like Denver before heading to towns above 8,000 feet and drink more water than you think you need.
- A weekday trip is the best way to avoid the intense weekend crowds. It allows you to bypass the heavy traffic on mountain highways like I-70 and in gateway towns like Estes Park.
- The sun is strong at high altitudes, so a hat and sunscreen are useful, while a fleece and a waterproof shell will help with the rapid temperature drops and unpredictable weather on the high passes.
- Use the golden hours for photography. The low, angled light of sunrise and sunset makes the yellow aspen leaves seem to glow from within.
- To see the best fall colors in Colorado, keep the state’s essential foliage drives on your list, such as Trail Ridge Road, the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway — they’re famous for a reason.
- Have a lower-elevation backup plan in case of early snow. A drive along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway is an excellent alternative with beautiful scenery if the high passes are inaccessible.
FAQs
The major routes and destinations are covered in this guide, but specific questions often arise about these trips.
Where is the best place to visit in Colorado in the fall?
The San Juan Skyway and Kepler Pass are unmatched for the best places to see fall colors in Colorado.
How cold does it get in Colorado in the fall?
Expect extreme temperature swings during the fall in Colorado. A comfortable, sunny 60-degree afternoon can plummet to below freezing the moment the sun sets and snow is always a possibility in late September and October.
How can I track fall foliage in Colorado?
Official tourism and forestry websites provide general timelines. For the most current, real-time conditions, search location tags like #keblerpass or #maroonbells on social media to see photos posted within the last 24 hours.
Start Your Colorado Fall Journey with AAA
Catching the peak Colorado fall colors depends on careful timing and a solid plan. However, a larger Colorado adventure often begins in its capital city and many of the top day trips from Denver use the same scenic routes and mountain towns detailed in this guide as a starting point.
With your itinerary set, use the AAA Travel service to book your rental car, flights and lodging. The service consolidates all your bookings in one place and members often get preferred rates on rental cars and hotels.