Things to do / Travel Guide
Skiing is not the only way to court and conquer the mountains. You can salute the Colorado Rockies' sensational skyline and tallest mountain tops, surge over peaks and plummets, drive between the dark and deep walls of one of the nation's narrowest canyons, meander past mining towns and wildflower meadows - the Colorado Rockies region's scenic drives are hands-down among the most spectacular in the country.
Colorado National Monument Drive, Northwest Colorado
The natural architect that is geology has left behind a legacy of design: arched windows, stone monoliths and spires, and stark sandstone cliffs are the monuments to which Mother Nature asks you pay tribute. Rimrock Drive is a 23-mile path that winds the course of the rocky cliffs and canyons. The drive takes Monument Road southwest out of Grand Junction to Colorado National Monument.
Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway, Northwest Colorado
Ride the ridge-less perimeter of the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Often called an “Island in the Sky,” the Grand Mesa is home to beautiful aspen groves, colorful meadows, and more than 200 lakes. The Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway is a 150-mile-long route circling the Grand Mesa. From I-70 take Exit 49 to Highway 65, travel over the hump of Grand Mesa to the community of Cedaredge, and then continue on to Delta. From Delta, take U.S. Highway 50 to Grand Junction.
Independence Pass Scenic Drive: Twin Lakes to Aspen, South-Central to Northwest Colorado
You'll be in good company on this scenic drive between some of Colorado's tallest peaks. Snaking through the Sawatch Range which crests along the Continental Divide, you travel 44-miles between South-Central Colorado's Twin Lakes and the top-notch ski resort of Aspen in Northwest Colorado on State Road 82. Not only will you cruise alongside Colorado's tallest mountain, Mt. Ebert (14,433 feet), you will also get a glimpse of Mt. Champion (13,646 feet) and yet another Fourteener, La Plata Peak (14,336 feet). But that's not all, the ride climaxes as you cross the highest paved mountain pass in Colorado, the 12,095-foot Independence Pass
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument Drive, Southwest Colorado
Widely considered one of the most incredible vistas in the country, the 12-mile drive through the deepest part of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument was sculpted over millions of years by the Gunnison River, and it shouldn't be missed. The dark rock of the high, narrow canyon walls and the fact that sunlight barely slips in gives the drive a dramatic overtone - the sheer drops of Chasm Wall (1,180 feet) and Painted Wall (2,250 feet) only heighten this effect. At points, the gorge narrows to a tight 40 feet wide, and there are very few places in which the width of the canyon exceeds its depth. Visitors to the Black Canyon will need to buy a day pass at the entrance to the monument. The drive is divided into the following segments:
- South Rim: Enter the monument off U.S. Highway 50 East, in the town of Montrose, and follow South Rim Road past scenic overlooks Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Devils Lookout, and Chasm View. While South Rim is open year-round, the best times to drive it are from May-October.
- North Rim: Access this section of the route are via State Road 92, in the towns of Delta or Sapinero, in the Curecanti Recreation Area. To get to North Rim you follow a 14-mile graded road, the last two miles of which follow the rim of the canyon. The drive is narrow and not protected by guardrails, so drive carefully.
Alpine Loop Country Byway, Southwest Colorado
If you're the kind of person who wants it all - mountains, water, history, and unmatched scenic beauty, you will want to drive the Alpine Loop Country Byway. The byway is a 63-mile circuit that runs a course through the San Juan Mountains between the towns of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City. Along the way you will pass by rolling meadows, steep and treacherous cliffs, the high ravines of river valleys, Lake San Cristobal, Lake Fork Gunnison River, as well as several ghost towns, including Capital City, Engineer City, and Rose's Cabin. The loop has three access points: U.S. Highway 550 south of Ouray, State Road 110 in Silverton, and, the most popular, State Road 149 in Lake City. Though most of the route is drivable in any sort of vehicle, Cinnamon Pass Road and Engineer Road require four-wheel-drive.
San Juan Skyway, Southwest Colorado
The best way to experience the undulating curves of the region's mountainous terrain is to ascend their heights and descend their dips. Another of the country's most spectacularly scenic drives, an approximately 100-mile-long roller coaster-esque stretch on the San Juan Skyway takes you through the heart of the San Juan National Forest and alongside some of the area's most beloved peaks. Start in Durango on U.S. Highway 550 heading north. You will follow along the banks of the Animas River, skirt the pristine Weminoche Wilderness Area, surge over Molar Pass (elevation: 10,910 feet), and dip down into the town of Silverton. Then, you'll rise again, this time higher, over Red Mountain Pass (elevation: 11,008 feet), descend into the community of Ouray and continue on to Ridgway. You will then travel west on State Road 62 and ascend to pass the Dallas Divide (elevation: 8,970 feet) for a breathtaking vista of the Mt. Sneffels range. Continue on State Road 145 toward the section's end in the town of Telluride.
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