Where to See the Best Fall Colors in Colorado (By Region)

Looking for the best fall colors in Colorado? I’ve got you covered.

I’ve been chasing fall colors across Colorado since 2016, and honestly, it’s one of the things I look forward to most every single year. If I could run an entire website dedicated only to Colorado fall colors, I probably would.Every fall, I take 2–3 weeks off work to chase peak color across the state: tracking elevation, weather patterns, changing conditions, and timing trips around when the aspens are at their absolute best. Over the years, I’ve spent countless sunrise mornings, sunsets, long drives, and last-minute route changes learning how quickly Colorado fall color can change. This guide pulls together everything you should know about where to go before planning a fall trip to Colorado.

If you’re planning a Colorado fall trip, not only do you need to know WHEN the colors change, but also WHERE to go to see peak fall colors in Colorado. You see photos from Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte—and assume you can hit all of them in one trip. You can’t. Fall colors in Colorado don’t peak all at once. They move through the state based on multiple factors including latitude and elevation, which means timing and location matter just as much as where you go. If you haven’t read it yet, START HERE:
When to See Fall Colors in Colorado (Peak Foliage Timing Guide)

That breaks down exactly when colors change.

How to Choose the Right Region

You shouldn’t be choosing multiple regions. If you have limited time, you should be choosing one based on timing, and if possible, be flexible because things can change. Keep in mind, many of these areas and regions can overlap with each other. These are typical for PEAK colors:

• Mid to Late September → Steamboat, Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain National Park
  • When I say mid, I don't mean September 10-16, typically nothing peaks prior to September 18. That said, 2018 was the exception when everyplace peaked 1-2 weeks early, however that is not usual. The first groves in the state usually peak September 18-24.
• Late September → Vail, Aspen, Crested Butte, Silverton, Lake City, Leadville
  • This is usually the last week and a half of September into very early October, with a few nuances. Capitol Peak in Aspen and West Kebler outside of Crested Butted are usually later than others in the immediate areas. They usually peak first week of October. Silverton and Lake City are usually the first two places to peak in the San Juans, and they're usually September 22-30. This also includes Red Mountain Pass. These stated areas usually peak one week before Ridgway and Telluride.
• Early October → Ridgway, Telluride
  • These are usually the last aspen groves to peak in the state and include Dallas Divide, Owl Creek Pass, Ophir, and Telluride. Peak is usually October 1-7, but it seems about half of the years, it peaks October 8-13. In 10 years, I've never shot peak in Telluride or Ridgway prior to October 1. My definition of peak is >75% color change at once.

Trying to hit multiple regions in a limited amount of time usually means:

• missing peak in more than one place so to hit every spot, it usually takes multiple years of chasing colors
• spending most of your time driving instead of enjoying it
• rushing through everything just to get to the spot

Front Range (Near Denver but NOT IN Denver)

Best for: Quick trips from Denver + limited time for exploring

Peak timing: Mid to Late September (usually)

Areas: Breckenridge, Dillon, Estes Park, Georgetown, Grand Lake, Keystone, Silverthorne, and Winter Park

If you don’t want to drive across the state, you can still catch fall colors close to Denver. These colors are usually some of the first to change.

Where to see fall colors near the Front Range:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
• Guanella Pass (connects Georgetown to Grant)
• Kenosha Pass (Northeast of Fairplay)
• Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain National Park)
• Boreas Pass (Connects Breckenridge to Como)
• Berthoud Pass (north of Georgetown between Lawson and Winter Park)

What to know:

• Colors are more scattered compared to higher elevations
• Great for day trips from Denver but can be BUSY. I'm talking hours of stalled traffic on the weekends
• Still busy, especially on weekends, so if you plan to go, go early

Steamboat Springs & Flat Tops

Best for: Fewer crowds + rolling hills of color

Peak timing: Mid to Late September

Areas: Steamboat Springs, Kremmling, Flat Top Wilderness

If you’re trying to avoid the busiest areas of the state, this is a solid option.

Where to see fall colors near Steamboat Springs:

• Flat Tops Wilderness
• Buffalo Pass (Although this road is in good condition, and 2WD cars will do fine at lower elevations, towards the top and final few miles, the conditions become rough for approximately four miles. High clearance vehicles are recommended.)
• Rabbit Ears Pass (paved, connects Steamboat Springs and Kremmling)

What to know:

• Much quieter than Aspen or Telluride

Central Mountains (Vail, Twin Lakes & Leadville)

Best for: Iconic mountain passes + accessible fall color to the Front Range

Peak timing: Mid-to-late September

Areas: Buena Vista, Leadville, Minturn, Twin Lakes, and Vail

This region is one of the easiest places to experience classic Colorado fall colors without needing long hikes or complicated planning. You’ll find huge aspen groves, dramatic mountain backdrops, and some of the most scenic drives in the state still accessible to Denver

Where to see fall colors near Vail, Twin Lakes, and Leadville:

• Vail Pass (paved)
• Shrine Pass (dirt road but accessible to most all vehicles
• Independence Pass (paved, connects Twin Lakes and Aspen)
• Tennessee Pass (paved, connects Minturn and Leadville)

What to know:

• Weekends can get extremely busy during peak season since you're still relatively close to the front range
• Some roads are dirt, but most are manageable for standard vehicles

Aspen & Maroon Bells

Best for: Iconic fall views

Peak timing: late September to early October

This is the most well-known fall destination in Colorado, and for very good reason. Timing here aligns very closely with the Central Mountains, but find it's *slightly* after Leadville, Twin Lakes, and Vail.

Maroon Bells 2026 Permit + Parking Reservations (8/1 – 10/31) : Available June 18th at 8:00 AM

Read How to Photograph the Maroon Bells in the Fall: A Complete Guide

Parking reservations can be made here: https://www.visitmaroonbells.com/maroon-bells-parking-reservations/

Shuttle reservations can be made here: https://www.visitmaroonbells.com/maroon-bells-shuttle-reservations/

Where to see fall colors near Aspen:

• Maroon Bells (permits required)
• Independence Pass (paved)
• Capitol Creek Trailhead (rough, high clearance recommended)
• Castle Creek Road + Ashcroft Ghost Town (paved until the very end, but okay for 2wd vehicles)

What to know:

• Reservations or shuttle required during peak season to access Maroon Bells
• Expect crowds—early mornings are your best bet for photos, but sunrise is iconic at Maroon Bells so expect LOTS of photographers. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sunrise

Crested Butte & Kebler Pass

Best for: Massive aspen groves + easy scenic drives

Peak timing: Late September to early October

Areas: Crested Butte, Kebler Pass, Ohio Pass, McClure Pass

This is where you’ll find some of the largest aspen groves in the country. Kebler Pass is one of the easiest and most rewarding fall drives—no big hike required.

Where to see fall colors near Crested Butte:

• Kebler Pass (mix of pavement with dirt/gravel but 2wd friendly the entire drive)
• Ohio Pass (dirt/gravel and 2wd friendly)
• Gothic Road (paved turning into dirt/gravel and 2wd friendly at least to the ghost town of gothic)
• McClure Pass to Crystal Mill (paved on McClure Pass but access to Crystal Mill requires high clearance)

What to know:

• Peak color hits different areas at different times. Slate River Valley, Gothic Valley, and the town of Crested Butte will peak usually a full week ahead of Ohio Pass and West Kebler Pass
• The best place to get updates for Crested Butte color progression is https://travelcrestedbutte.com/crested-butte-fall-color-updates/
• Dirt roads are usually manageable but check conditions
• Great option if you want high payoff without a lot of effort of having to move around everyday

Grand Mesa (Western Colorado)

Best for: Massive high-elevation aspen forests + avoiding lots of crowds

Peak timing: Late September

Areas: The Grand Mesa, Mesa Lakes, Cedar Edge

Grand Mesa is one of the most underrated fall color destinations in Colorado—and one of the most unique. Instead of dramatic alpine peaks like the San Juans, you get a wide, forested plateau covered in thousands of acres of aspens. When it turns, it’s almost overwhelming in the best way. This is one of the easiest places in the state to experience peak fall color without intense driving or complicated logistics. You can get incredible color right off paved roads with minimal effort.

Where to see fall colors near the Grand Mesa:

• Mesa Lakes area (dense groves + lakeside color)
• Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (paved easy driving loop with constant color)

What to know:

• Elevation is everything here—color shifts quickly across the mesa and usually at the same time since it sits at nearly the same elevation
• One of the most accessible “big payoff” fall color areas in the western part of state

San Juan Mountains (Southwest Colorado)

Best for: Dramatic mountain scenery + dense aspen groves

Peak timing: Late September to early October

Areas: Lake City, Ophir, Ouray, Ridgway, Silverton, and Telluride

This region is one of the most impressive places to see fall colors in Colorado and my personal favorite. This is where I spend 85% of my time chasing fall colors.

Where to see fall colors nears Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, and Telluride:

• Dallas Divide (near Ridgway)
• Million Dollar Highway (paved)
• Last Dollar Road (not paved, but 2wd friendly)
• Last Dollar Road (unpaved and high-clearance prefered)

What to know:

• Timing is the most tricky for the San Juans because it is over the span of 2-3 weeks and it doesn't follow the general pattern of North to South
• As far as timing goes, Silverton and Lake City peak first (usually September 20-28) then Red Mountain Pass very close behind. After this, Dallas Divide, Sneffels Range, and Owl Creek Pass are usually at least one full week behind. Telluride aligns most closely with Dallas Divide on timing.
• Weather can shift fast (early snow is possible in late September and early October)
• Lodging fills VERY quickly—book early. Most people don't live close so have to get lodging versus places closer to the front range where they can day trip.

Final Thoughts

Fall in Colorado is one of the best times to visit—but it’s not something you can just wing and hope for the best. The difference between an average trip and a great one usually comes down to one thing: being in the right place at the right time. If you haven’t yet, go back and read:
When to See Fall Colors in Colorado (Peak Foliage Timing Guide)

Planning a photography trip to Colorado for fall colors?

If you want exact locations, drives, and photo spots already mapped out (with time of day to shoot them): Check out my Colorado Fall Colors Guide and be sure to join my Fall Colors Channel on Instagram where I update live color changes on the West Slope.

See you out there!

Mallory

Fall Colors in Colorado

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