Plan an awe-inspiring fall road trip through Colorado and experience the Centennial State in all its golden glory. As the aspen leaves flaunt their brilliant hues, take advantage of Colorado’s mild temperatures, sunny days and clear blue skies. 

Embark on fall adventures like hiking, biking, horseback riding and Jeeping through colorful trails or cruise along aspen-lined roads, including Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways. 

GOLDEN ADVENTURES

Birding at Pawnee National Grassland (Ault): On Colorado’s eastern plains, nearly 200,000 acres of windswept vistas invite visitors to spot unique bird species, including Colorado’s state bird, the lark bunting. Keep an eye out for pronghorns and swift foxes that also roam this expansive conservation area.

Fall Foliage Gold Belt Jeep Tour (Cañon City): In September and October, ascend 5,000 feet above Cañon City on a Colorado Jeep Tour to witness the aspens change color throughout one of America’s Greatest Gold Camps. This journey follows the Cripple Creek and Florence Railroad route, passing abandoned mines and an active open-pit gold mine—one of the world’s largest.

Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway (Colorado Springs): What’s better than a view from the top? Take in stunning fall foliage as you ride America’s highest railway to the top of Pikes Peak, soaring to 14,115 feet. 

Stand-Up Paddleboard on Lake Dillon (Frisco): Paddle through the uninhabited islands of Lake Dillon Reservoir on a guided SUP adventure. With a stunning mountain backdrop, abundant wildlife and vibrant fall foliage, this adventure is perfect for families—especially with kids—as it remains close to the protected shoreline.

Hike the World’s Largest Flat-Top Mountain (Grand Junction): Explore your own backyard by hiking the 11,000-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain. The Crag Crest Trail offers a high-alpine experience, making it an ideal spot to admire the brilliant fall colors.

Fishing at Lake San Cristobal (Lake City): Enjoy Colorado’s second-largest natural lake amid vibrant aspen trees. Fall is the best time to fish for trout, with fewer anglers on the water and fish bulking up for winter. After a long day out on the water, visitors can head to the south end of the lake, in the Red Gulch Day Use Area, for dynamic views.

Saddle Up at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch (Red Feather Lakes): This boutique ranch is a cowboy heaven offering horseback riding, fishing and disc golf. Visitors can unwind with hot tubs, western-style meals and limitless cookies. Plus, the ranch is pet-friendly!

Bike Gold-Level Trails (Snowmass Village): Access over 75 miles of scenic biking trails among the golden aspen leaves in the Roaring Fork Valley, an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Gold-Level Ride Center.

Hot Air Balloon Rides (Steamboat Springs): Soar over Steamboat Springs and the Flat Top Mountains in a hot air balloon. Early morning flights come with a champagne ceremony and personalized flight certificate to commemorate the experience.

EPIC FALL ROADTRIPS

Highway of Legends (Trinidad and Walsenburg): This 82-mile scenic drive takes travelers through Spanish Peaks Country, offering outdoor recreation and stunning fall colors. Stop in Trinidad or Walsenburg for local events, parades and unique downtown shops.

Kebler Pass (Crested Butte): Drive through the largest aspen grove in the U.S. on Kebler Pass to Marble and the Crystal River Valley. Be sure to stop at Horse Ranch Park for breathtaking views of the Anthracite Mountains’ brilliant autumn hues.

Kenosha Pass (Conifer and South Park): Known for its vibrant aspen groves, Kenosha Pass is a wide, well-maintained mountain road and one of Colorado’s best drives to view autumn’s leaves. The brilliant reds and glowing yellows of the aspen woodlands contrast beautifully with the surrounding ponderosa pines and Douglas firs near Conifer. The road opens into South Park’s grassland basin, with spectacular views of the Mosquito Range peaks.

Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway (Minturn to Aspen): At elevations of 10,000 feet, this byway features dazzling golden aspen groves and large glacial lakes. Explore Leadville’s history with ghost tours, or ride the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad for some of the best fall foliage views. For adventure seekers, the Top of the Rockies Zipline offers a thrilling way to take in the sights from 11,200 feet.

FALL FLAVORS

Throughout August and September, roadside stands burst with fresh harvests, and towns across the state celebrate the season with food and drink festivals:

Breckenridge Oktoberfest, September 13-15: Set on historic Main Street, this lively event brings a Bavarian flair to the Rockies, featuring Breckenridge Brewery beer, traditional German food, collectible steins and festive music. Guests can also enjoy wines, cocktails and classic festival fare in one of Colorado’s most picturesque mountain towns.

Greeley Potato Days, September 14: This annual festival goes beyond feasting on the versatile spud. Visitors can enjoy living history activities like blacksmithing and adobe brick making, swing dancers, live music and appearances by the Potato king and queen. Indulge in baked potatoes with a variety of toppings, root beer floats, popcorn and homemade treats.

Tarantula Fest, September 27-28 (La Junta): Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado. While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it’s actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland. The mating season starts once the temperatures cool at night, which is typically around the start of September. The annual Tarantula Fest in Downtown La Junta includes a parade, vendors, education pavilion, tarantula tours and more.

Elk Fest, September 28-29 (Estes Park): The beautifully haunting bugle of a bull elk is unmistakable, and every fall spectators head to Estes Park to experience the phenomenon. The elk gather there, at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, to show off for their ladies during the start of the rutting (breeding) season. At Elk Fest, visitors can learn about these beasts’ behavior, observe them in their natural habitat, participate in a bugling contest and experience Native American dancing, storytelling and music.

30th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races, October 26 (Manitou Springs): This year marks 30 years of the Emma Crawford Coffin Races. This tradition pays homage to the local legend of Emma who was buried atop Red Mountain, and after 20-30 years of heavy rains and erosion, her coffin came loose and slid down. For the past three decades in Manitou Springs, racers have been pushing coffins on wheels through the historic downtown, in tribute to Emma Crawford. With 4 pallbearer pushers and an Emma rider, they vie for fastest time on a 495 ft uphill racecourse for victory. With live music, food, drink, and much macabre revelry from one end of town to the other, there’s no mistaking that this is Manitou Springs' most raucous day of the year.

For more information on experiencing Colorado’s fall splendor, visit Colorado.com.