The Perfect Fall Colorado Road Trip
Colorado is spectacular pretty much any time of year. But during fall ~ Mother Nature puts on an extra-special show. And with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop: it doesn’t get much better for an iconic American road trip. If fall is your favorite season, & you love watching the leaves change color every year: Colorado is an amazing place to witness all this fiery red, orange, & yellow glory! Here, I’ll take you inside the “Perfect Fall Colorado Road Trip,” which is a trip I took with a friend (from our CU Boulder days!), specifically so we could witness as much fall color as possible…
The Maroon Bells by Aspen is one of the most fantastic places to see fall colors in Colorado…
Map of Colorado Road Trip
I’ll take you on a slightly off-the-beaten path southern Colorado road trip. We’ll skip Denver ~ & head south towards Colorado Springs, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Durango, & finally, to Aspen.
Denver International Airport
Colorado Springs
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Wolf Creek Pass
Durango
Mesa Verde National Park
Aspen
Best Time for a Fall Colorado Road Trip
- Best Time to See Fall Colors in Colorado = September 20th-October 20th
- Early Blooms (Sept. 20th-30th) = Rocky Mountain National Park area & Gunnison National Forest, north of Telluride.
- Middle of the Road Blooms (Sept. 29th-Oct. 5th) = Maroon Bells (by Aspen) & Rio Grande National Forest.
- Late Bloomers (Oct. 5th-20th) = Wolf Creek Pass, Fort Collins, Boulder, & pretty much all lower-elevation Colorado cities.
Fall Road Trip Overview
Stop #1 = Colorado Springs: Some of the best places to see fall colors in Colorado Springs are at Seven Falls, in the incredible Garden of the Gods, & atop Pikes Peak. How Many Nights to Spend? 1-2
Stop #2 = Great Sand Dunes National Park: This is one of the most underrated National Parks in the U.S. And the drive there gives you glimpses of amazing foliage, along with views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. How Many Nights? 1-2
Stop #3 = Wolf Creek Pass: This is my absolute, #1 choice for jaw-dropping, all-out fall color in Colorado. Wolf Creek Pass is located on US Highway 160, about two hours from both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Durango. There are several pull-outs where you can park & take photos. As for hotels, the closest major town is Pagosa Springs.
Stop #4 = Durango/Mesa Verde National Park: Durango is a great place to base yourself for fall color viewing in nearby Mesa Verde National Park, Telluride, & right in town. How Many Nights? 2-3
Stop #5 = Drive the “Million Dollar Highway,” aka US Route 550, thru Ouray & Ridgway: This is a “money shot” of a drive. Head north of Durango for one spectacular drive: if the timing is right, especially in Ridgway, prepare to be blown away.
Stop #6 = End in Luxurious Aspen: How better to end this fall Colorado road trip than with a little? Aspen is also home to one of the most scenic spots in Colorado, which is gorgeous in fall: the Maroon Bells. Work out the kinks from your drive hiking in the Bells….or a massage in Aspen…
Where to Stay in Colorado Springs
Check into the Cheyenne Mountain Resort ($175+/night) in Colorado Springs. Not only do they have phenomenal mountain views from pretty much everywhere on property, but they have an upscale bar, restaurant, pool, hot tub, fitness center, golf, & an outdoor fire pit where you can roast s’mores & watch the stars. And if you really want to kick off your road trip right: check out their Spa Alluvia. After getting up for a sunrise hike at Garden of the Gods, we enjoyed massages & reflexology treatments at the spa ~ then sipped cucumber water on their private outdoor patio.
Heaven.
Want views like this? Then book a room at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs “Musts”
Garden of the Gods is amazing in all seasons: but during fall, it’s spectacular. In fact, Trip Advisor just named it one of their “Top 10 Fall Destinations.”
So put it on your list!
Paths are wide, well-marked, & many are paved ~ so it’s a great spot for kids, dogs, & anyone who can walk or wheel. It’s a great park that literally everyone can enjoy.
Next up: Seven Falls & Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak is the iconic image of Colorado Springs, & the highest mountain in the Front Range. A round-trip will take you a few hours. Meanwhile, Seven Falls is a gigantic waterfall tucked back in a canyon full of spectacular fall foliage!
You’ll need to park or stay at the Broadmoor Hotel, which is one of Colorado’s most iconic hotels. Then take one of their shuttles back into the canyon.
Is it worth it? YES!! This was one of my favorite place in Colorado for seeing fall color.
Visit Garden of the Gods at sunrise or sunset for the best natural lighting for your photos.
Seven Falls, accessible via the Broadmoor, had the BEST fall colors on our trip!
Stop #2 ~ Great Sand Dunes National Park
This is one of my new favorite national parks: it’s got wide open space, few people, & massive sand dunes that will give you a major workout. It’s a three-hour drive from Colorado Springs to Great Sand Dunes National Park. My favorite hotel here is actually a dude ranch: Zapata Ranch.
But if you’d rather stay in town, check out hotels in Alamosa.
Colorado Springs to Great Sand Dunes National Park = 2 hours, 45 minutes (170 miles), via I-25 & US Highway 160
I won’t go into great detail about Great Sand Dunes, because I’ve already written an entire article about it ~ which you can find here.
But here’s a photo to give you an idea of what it’s like…
Iconic Great Sand Dunes National Park, in southern Colorado.
Stop #3: Durango & Mesa Verde
Stay at least 2-3 days in Durango, to fully absorb the atmosphere of this Western frontier town. There are great side trips from Durango: to Dolores, Telluride, Silverton, & of course, Mesa Verde National Park.
If you’re staying at Mesa Verde, I’d only give it 1-2 days ~ unless you’re camping & really looking for a remote experience.
As for great, historic places to stay in Durango, check out the Strater Hotel or General Palmer ~ both are right in town; you’ll feel like you’re stepping back into the early 1900’s. There are also plenty of mid-range hotels in Durango to choose from, most within walking distance of town.
Wolf Creek Pass to Durango = 1 hour, 45 minutes (84 miles), via US Highway 160
Durango to Mesa Verde National Park = 36 miles just to the park entrance; plan at least another 30 minutes to reach the park itself.
Riding the famous Durango-Silverton train is a rite of passage ~ & a perfect way to see the fall colors!
Fall at Mesa Verde National Park, around October 14th, 2017.
Final Stop: Aspen
You’re probably sick of being in the car by now….but don’t worry ~ you’re in Aspen! You can hike, get a massage, grab coffee, or just have a damn good dinner at one of Aspen’s many upscale taverns.
If money is no object, check out legendary Aspen hideaways like The Little Nell or the St. Regis Aspen. The great thing about both The Little Nell & St. Regis: both are super close to the ski slopes, which is also great if you’re here on a winter getaway.
If you don’t want to break the bank, try Mountain Chalet Aspen (with a fabulous location directly across from the St. Regis), or St. Moritz Lodge & Condominiums, the most budget-friendly hotel in Aspen.
Drive from Durango to Aspen = Between 5-6 hours, depending which route you take
Aspen to the Maroon Bells = 25 minutes (11 miles)
My favorite shot of the trip, taken at the Maroon Bells during sunset.
The Perfect Fall Colorado Road Trip
That’s a wrap on fall road trips in Colorado! For some of my favorite ski-in/ski-out resorts in Aspen, read this article. Or check out some of my favorite ski resorts in Vail….
Read Next: Best Brunch Spots in Boulder, Colorado
xoxo Noelia
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Remind me to tell u about 2 different Tour Guides.
Remind me to tell u about 2 different Tour Guides.
What do you mean, Dad? Tour guides where?
Garden of the Gods is fantastic during ALL seasons ~ but in fall, it’s a true delight! Didn’t know about the Million Dollar Highway or Wolf Creek Pass, but we’re adding them to our Colorado fall road trip list next week. Thanks for the great round-up here!
You’re welcome, Mary ~ you won’t be disappointed! xoxo Noelia