September 6th, 2023 | Posted by: Grace Kim
From scenic highway drives to photographing vibrant aspen trees, Colorado offers some of the most breathtaking fall colors in the US.
With endless views of skittles-covered mountains, get ready to chase fall foliage in Colorado and snap hundreds of photos at the lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park and niche towns, like Telluride and Cripple Creek.
Due to high elevation, Colorado experiences some of the first foliage in the US compared to that of other states such as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The season change from Summer to Fall is like no other as you’ll start wearing your untouched, winter clothes and drinking endless pumpkin spiced lattes.
From the number of activities to partake in Colorado during the fall, swing by places like Ouray and take photos with the San Juan Mountains as the perfect back drop after a snow fall, or go on a free gondola ride in Telluride!
>>You may also enjoy reading The Ultimate New England Fall Foliage Travel Guide
When’s the best time to see fall colors in Colorado?
Dependent on rainfall and temperature, the best time to see fall colors in Colorado ranges between September 15th – October 15th. However, in some areas, foliage can last up until the last week of October.
But because peak foliage typically lasts for 1-1.5 weeks in certain areas, it’s important to have a flexible itinerary because not every part of Colorado peaks at the same time.
How to start planning for the best fall foliage trip in Colorado
If you’re running on limited PTO days and have already decided on chasing fall foliage in Colorado, I recommend checking the Fall Foliage Prediction Map starting from the beginning of September. Having a flexible itinerary is key because there’s a good chance you’ll run into bad weather, or that you’ve shown up too early in certain areas.
I also recommend marking places you’d like to visit on Google Maps so it’s easier rerouting if plans change. By the time my group arrived to Colorado, our itinerary changed twice in about 3 days due to rainfall.
Transportation and Accommodations
The best way to experience fall foliage in Colorado is by renting a 4×4 drive. There’s a good chance you’ll be off-roading to get to some hikes. A handful of places, like the Chrystal Mill, requires you to have a 4×4 drive because of how bumpy and rocky the roads get.
When booking housing accommodations, I recommend booking your stay at least 2 days in advance. It can even get a bit tricky booking a week in advance in case you’ve guessed peak foliage incorrectly. On average, hotel rooms will cost you anywhere between $160-$250 per night.
Download Offline Maps
Although the drives through Colorado are absolutely breathtaking, cell service isn’t the best along these roads. If you get lost staring at the foliage along these scenic drives, I highly advise downloading offline maps prior to your arrival. There have been numerous times where we lost cell service for hours, let alone the amount of construction and road closures along the highways.
Especially when we had to reroute our plans, it was difficult finding a Plan B unless we got pockets of service that lasted for seconds at a time. Downloading offline maps while chasing fall foliage in Colorado will save you loads of time, and prevent you from stressing out trying to look up information on certain hikes, activities and rerouting plans.
Clothing, Apparel + Accessories
In Colorado, you might find yourself wearing shorts one day but a puffy jacket the following day. The weather can be finicky, so you want to bring extra layers and and prepare for cold weather.
Plus, if you’re looking to take fall portraits, it’s key to bring accessories and wear bright colors to pop with the foliage. Listed are recommended items of clothing to bring while chasing fall foliage in Colorado:
Where are the best places to see fall colors in Colorado?
Now, for the fun part. There are so many places to see fall colors in Colorado that it could take you weeks to check everything off your bucket list.
By the time we left Colorado, there were still a ton of places we didn’t have the chance to visit, but there’s always next year!
We did our best visiting as many places as we could during our week long visit, also making sure we caught the aspens in their prime.
Whether you’re planning on visiting Colorado for a long weekend or for a week for fall colors, here’s a list of places with some of the best foliage:
1. Crested Butte
If you’re not from Colorado, save yourself from embarrassment and don’t pronounce this as ‘Crested Butt’. I definitely got laughs for my mispronunciation, but Crested Butte, has some of Colorado’s most scenic mountains and hills covered in jaw dropping foliage.
Pronunciation: kreh·stuhd byoot
Crested Butte is located north of Gunnison, as it’s known to be the eighth largest historic district in Colorado. It’s surrounded by popular ski mountains and is located on the west side of Slate River.
During the day, check out Elk Ave, swing by the Farmers Market on Sundays, and don’t forget to visit Mochas Coffeehouse & Bakery, voted Gunnison’s best coffee every year since 2003.
- Nearby town: Gunnison
- Where to stay: The Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios, Comfort Inn & Suites Gunnison, The Inn at Tomichi Village
- Food & Drinks: Mochas Coffeehouse & Bakery, Soupcon
2. Silverton
Located west of the San Juan Mountains, Silverton offers beautiful views of the mountains. Not only is it in between Red Mountain and Molas Pass, but it’s also less than 15 miles away from 7 out of 53 of Colorado’s fourteeners.
There are a handful of unique places in Silverton that offers beautiful fall foliage such as the Million Dollar Highway Scenic Byway, Ice Lakes Trail, and the Durango-Silverton Train to name a few.
My favorite activity in Silverton was driving north to Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway. It’s by far one of the most beautiful roads we’ve driven through in Colorado, even though you’ll get dizzy driving through windy roads and sharp curves.
Driving through Silverton was actually the reason why I fell in love with chasing fall foliage in Colorado! This was the first time I’ve witnessed full peak with snow capped mountains. I’ve never seen anything like this before and for that reason, I already know that I’ll be back next year during the fall.
- Where to stay: Triangle Motel, Villa Dallavalle Inn
- Food & Drinks: Kendall Mountain Cafe
3. Ouray
From relaxing in hot springs to hiking through canyons, Ouray has the perfect mixture of outdoor activities and breweries to partake in. While driving through Downtown Ouray, you’ll quickly realize why it’s called the “Switzerland of America”. The town is surrounded by the beautiful San Juan Mountains, as you’ll most likely want to snap some photos in the middle of the streets. Trust me, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about once you get there!
As activities differ per season in Ouray, you’ll be in awe of the fall foliage all around town. And during your visit, consider trails like the Ouray Perimeter Trial, that outlines the city.
- Where to stay: Hot Springs Inn, Timber Ridge Lodge Ouray, Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs
- Food & Drinks: Thai Chili Restaurant, Ouray Brewery, Mi Mexico Family, Mojo’s Coffee Chai & Teas
4. Telluride
Busy during the fall and winter for their infamous ski resort, Telluride is known to be the most popular town in San Miguel County. One of the best times to visit Telluride is during the fall, attracting photographers snapping away photos of the San Juan Mountains and going on free gondola rides! Yes, there is a free gondola ride, linking Telluride to Mountain Village.
Gondola Hours of Operation
Daily from 7:00 AM to midnight
(Extended hours until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights between June 11 – September 18)
Note that if you’re planning on staying in Telluride for a couple of days, that it is pretty expensive. Telluride attracts some of the wealthiest people during the fall, golfing season, and winter. Did you know that the #1 Ski Resort in North America is located right in Telluride?
- Where to stay: Mountain Lodge Telluride, The Hotel Telluride
- Food & Drinks: Brown Dog Pizza, Smuggler-Union Brewery & Restaurant
5. Kebler Pass
Also known as Gunnison Road 12, Kebler Pass sits right in between Paonia State Park and State Highway 133. Providing some of the best views of the West Beckwith Mountains, this road is full of Colorado’s most scenic aspens and foliage. Kebler Pass is the destination to view leaf peeping colors, so don’t worry if you’re not ready for a strenuous outdoor adventure because you won’t need to hike anywhere to witness these gorgeous views.
In the summer, you’ll start seeing the wildflowers bloom, most likely making you not want to leave Colorado. These eye-candy, skittles-like landscapes are one of a kind that before you know it, you’ll have extended your Colorado stay for fall colors.
Before entering Kebler Pass, note that there aren’t too many gas stations so it’s important to fill up your gas tank prior to your arrival. I recommend filling up your gas tank in Carbondale since the nearest gas station is about 70+ miles away from Kebler Pass.
- Nearby town: Gunnison
- Where to stay: The Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios, Comfort Inn & Suites Gunnison, The Inn at Tomichi Village
- Food & Drinks: Butte Bagels, Sherpa Cafe
6. Ophir
Ever seen twisty trees before? From all the aspen trees you’ll come across on your autumn drives, you’ll even find curved aspen trees in the San Juan Mountains, near Ophir. Most likely caused by an avalanche, these trees got their shapes when they were younger, creating their unique, curvy s-shapes.
Photographing these twisty, aspen trees have become extremely popular over the last few years that it’s been asked by the locals not to share the exact location. But if you’re on a mission to find these trees, I recommend doing some research the night before and spend a few hours the next day searching for them in broad daylight. These trees are truly one of a kind, as you’ll find singular ones laying around south of Telluride.
7. Crystal Mill
Known as Colorado’s most photographed destination, visiting Crystal Mill while chasing fall foliage in Colorado is a must. During the fall, the mill is surrounded by vibrant aspens along with a small body of water right underneath it. The mill was built back in 1893 as the Sheep Mountain powerhouse, and it took about 20 years to complete because of how difficult accessing these roads were.
Entrance fee: $10 per person (when going under the rope and view it from the water)
However, note that it’s not the easiest getting down to the Crystal Mill. Unless you’re open to hiking around 10 miles to get to the bottom of the mill, a 4×4 drive is needed. Ensure your safety as you’ll be driving through extremely rocky and dirt roads, gaining over 1,000 feet of elevation.
Unfortunately, there have been instances where people’s cars have fallen off the side of the road because they didn’t have the right car. Always consider safety first and be prepared for a bumpy drive!
But if you’re traveling solo and are uncomfortable driving to the Crystal Mill by yourself, there are guided Jeep tours you can find here.
- Nearby towns: Gunnison, Marble
- Where to stay: The Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios, Country Inn & Suites
- Food & Drinks: Slow Groovin BBQ
8. Aspen
Experiencing fall foliage in Aspen is a must, as you’ll be able to partake in activities, such as biking through scenic roads and riding a gondola up to Snowmass Mountain. The best time to experience peak foliage in Aspen is at end of September, as the colors of the aspen groves change quickly due to high elevation.
Downtown Aspen also has pockets of places to leap peep, along with having a ton of trails and roads just miles outside the town, offering some of the best fall foliage in Colorado. To name a few, some outdoor activities include visiting: Maroon Bells, Castle Creek, Independence Pass.
- Where to stay: Aspen Mountain Lodge, Mountain Chalet Aspen, Viceroy Snowmass
- Food & Drinks: White House Tavern, Betula Aspen, Matsuhisa
9. Maroon Bells
Located in the Elk Mountains, Maroon Bells are two peaks bordered between Pitkin and Gunnison County. These Peaks, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, are also fourteeners, located in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness. While exploring the Maroon Bells area, consider hiking one, or possibly both fourteeners. You’ll be in awe of the foliage all throughout your hike!
Let alone fall, Maroon Bells is another one of Colorado’s most visited photographed destinations; so note that it will probably be extremely busy during your visit. Plan ahead of time because you will need to make reservations to enter the Maroon Bells Scenic Area via car or RFTA Shuttle.
For all reservations, there is a $16 entrance fee. If you’re planning on entering with your own vehicle, there is an entrance fee of $10/vehicle between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. You can find more information here.
If you want to spend a couple of days in Maroon Bells, note that there are 14 tent sites at the campground. And with the number of hikes available, dogs are also welcomed too, but they must be kept on a leash.
Maroon Bell Hikes: Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, Maroon Creek Trail, Crater Lake Trail
Maroon Bells Camping: Silver Bell Campground
- Nearby towns: Aspen, Snowmass Village
- Where to stay: Aspen Mountain Lodge, Mountain Chalet Aspen, Viceroy Snowmass
- Food & Drinks: High Alpine Restaurant
10. Rocky Mountains National Park
Discover some of the best fall colors at Rocky Mountains National Park‘s infamous lakes and scenic, autumn drives. Between the months of September and October, swing by the park to witness the beautiful aspen trees change into their vibrant yellows. You’ll also find shades of reds and orange trees, as the aspen trees make up most of the parks fall colors.
Due to its popularity, free reservations are needed between May 28 – October 11 in order to enter the park. When we first got to Colorado, we had no idea that reservations were needed and were asked to turn our car around. The reservation period is needed between 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM so if you’re trying to make it in time for sunrise and couldn’t get a reservation in time, considering entering the park before reservation hours and car camp in one of the parking lots.
However, if you’re like me and drove 2 hours to the Rockies in hopes to catch sunrise and didn’t get a reservation in time, drive up to Trail Ridge Road. The drive is absolutely breathtaking as you’ll also get amazing views at the top. Plan B definitely wasn’t too bad of an option!
Once you’re in the park, you’ll understand why reservations are needed. We car camped at the Dream Lake parking lot for sunrise and as we were leaving for the hike, the lot was full. And by the time we got to the lake, there were already lines of photographers with their tripods patiently waiting to snap their photos as the sun slowly rose behind the mountains.
Here is a list of lakes to see the best fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park: Dream Lake, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake, Sky Pond
- Nearby town: Estes Park
- Where to stay: Discovery Lodge, Rocky Mountain Hotel & Conference Center, Blue Door Inn
- Food & Drinks: Notchtop Bakery & Cafe, Big Horn Restaurant, The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (only dinner)
11. Trail Ridge Road
Whether you were fully preferred to be rejected from entering into Rocky Mountain National Park or not, driving up Trail Ridge Road is a great alternative. It’s an extension of U.S. Highway 34 that crosses from Estes Park into the east of Grand Lake. Depending on snowfall, higher elevation and unsafe driving weather, the road is closed during the winter until early summer.
Trail Ridge Road offers an amazing, scenic autumn drive as you’ll be surrounded by bursts of red, orange and yellow color from the trees. At an elevation gain of 10,875 feet, we pulled over to the Rainbow Curve Lookout as the sun was beginning to rise. It was nice to simply enjoy the views; and if you’re up for it, drive even further up the road to be 12,000 feet high in elevation.
- Nearby Town: Estes Park
- Where to stay: Discovery Lodge, Rocky Mountain Hotel & Conference Center, Blue Door Inn
- Food & Drinks: Notchtop Bakery & Cafe, Big Horn Restaurant, The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (only dinner)
12. Last Dollar Road
Known as a Colorado hidden gem, driving up Last Dollar Road was by far my favorite autumn drive. Not only are the fall colors extremely scenic, but you’ll also find lone-mansions surrounded by colorful trees, leaving you wow’d by the time you get to the top.
Sitting in between Telluride and Ridgway, Last Dollar Road is located 5 miles away from the Telluride Airport on a paved road on CO 145, as there are two ways to get to the top. You don’t necessarily need a 4×4 drive but know that you’ll be driving on dirt roads. The roads are pretty flat as you’ll be able to get to the top with a Sudan. Just hope that it doesn’t rain the night before because it will be trickier to drive in the mud.
- Nearby towns: Telluride, Ridgway
- Where to stay: Mountain Lodge Telluride, The Hotel Telluride, MTN Lodge Ridgway
- Food & Drinks: Brown Dog Pizza, Smuggler-Union Brewery & Restaurant
Overall Fall Road Trip Experience
Whether you’re planning on chasing fall foliage in Colorado for a long weekend or for an entire week, get ready to be blown away from the vibrant aspens to some of the best colorful autumn drives. Remember that because fall doesn’t start at the same time each year, start checking the Fall Foliage Prediction Map in the beginning of September and try to be as flexible as you can during your visit.
From off-roading to get to the bottom of Crystal Mill to going on free gondola rides in Telluride, stay hydrated, download offline maps, be cautious of unexpected weather, and be wary of elevation change. And if your skin also reacts terribly to dry weather, bring tubes of lotion. Trust me, the last thing you want is for your skin to break out like mine did!
And while you’re pulling off to the side of the road to snap your photos away, always remember to be safe and enjoy your time chasing fall foliage in Colorful Colorado.
Pin These When Planning on Chasing Fall Foliage in Colorado!
Other Places to Chase Fall Foliage in the U.S.
Looking to chase fall foliage in other parts of the US? Check out my Full 5-Day Fall Itinerary in New England after chasing foliage in Colorado!
Travel Guide: Fall in New England
What you can expect in this travel guide:
- Top recommended hikes with best views
- Exact itinerary + additional spots
- Exact coordinates on Google Maps
- 30 pages of detailed information
- Interactive packing list
- Recommended camera gear
- Hotel, restaurant + cafe recommendations
- …and so much more!
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