#Park county colorado scenery how to
#Park county colorado scenery full

A few great hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park start and end along this road.

The views from the overlooks are stunning. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the tree line. View of Rocky Mountain National Park from Trail Ridge Roadįor 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system.Īlpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road

#Park county colorado scenery full

From Bergen Park, take Squaw Pass Road/Highway 103 to Echo Lake and then take Highway 5 to the top of Mount Evans.ĭistance: 48 miles | Time: Half to Full Day | Open: Summer and early fall Get updates here. To get here from I-70, take exit 240 in Idaho Springs, follow Highway 103 south until it reaches Echo Lake, then take Highway 5 to the top of Mount Evans.

#Park county colorado scenery how to

How to Do This: The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, depending on weather conditions. Once at the summit, you get to enjoy panoramic views over the Rocky Mountains, views of the Continental Divide, and it is here that you have a very good chance to see mountain goats and bighorn sheep. At its highest point it reaches 14,130 feet, making this is the highest paved road in North America. In just 28 miles, the road climbs over 7,000 feet, ending near the summit of Mount Evans. You can drive to the summit of this lofty mountain on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. This is the highest paved road in North America.Īt 14,271 feet, Mount Evans is located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. You can see these scenic drives on a map at the end of this post.ĭistance: 50 miles round-trip | Time: 2 hours | Open: Summer Note: All of these roads are paved so there is no need for a 4WD vehicle.

Mountain Pass: A navigable route through or over a mountain range. Scenic Byway:A scenic route or tourist route a specially designed road or waterway that travels through an area of natural or cultural beauty Several of these drives simply take you to the top of a mountain for outstanding views. Many of these driving routes are through-roads, highways and byways that connect several destinations. On this list are some of the most notable and popular scenic drives in Colorado, made famous by their spectacular views and sheer “wow” factor. The list of scenic drives in Colorado is very long. Rim Rock Drive, Colorado National Monument San Juan Skyway and the Million Dollar Highway Due to all its rugged and remote reaches, the park is also a magical and memorable place to stargaze with a number of cosy campsites to be found tucked away among its lush forests and mountains. As it is also home to lots of wondrous waterfalls, wilderness and wildlife, it really is a joy to travel around, with arresting nature and fabulous views wherever you go.īesides driving along the terrific Trail Ridge Road which traverses the Rockies, visitors can also go hiking, fishing and rock climbing with skiing and snowboarding to be enjoyed in the winter months.

Boasting more than sixty lofty peaks over the height of 3,658 meters, its sky-scraping scenery can be found in the north center of the state, surrounded by numerous national forests.ĭominating and defining the park, the marvelous mountain range looms over its surroundings, with glittering alpine lakes, flower-filled meadows, and verdant valleys dotted here and there. While Colorado’s countless canyons, plains and deserts are beguiling in their beauty, one of its lovely landscapes literally stands head and shoulders above the rest – Rocky Mountain National Park. While some epic rock climbing and kayaking can also be enjoyed within the park, only experienced climbers and kayakers should attempt the canyon’s routes and rapids. The beautiful Black Canyon and its scenic surroundings lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of outdoor activities, with hiking, camping and boat tours particularly popular. Looking out over its dizzying depths from the rugged rim really is an awe-inspiring experience, with phenomenal photos and views to be had of the gigantic gorge. Very dark, deep, and dramatic to gaze upon, its gaping chasm of a canyon lies at the point where the rearing Rocky Mountains meet the craggy Colorado Plateau.įormed over millions of years by the gushing Gunnison River, the canyon plunges to a depth of 685 meters, with sheer cliffs and rocky spires towering above its raging waters. One of the state’s most spellbinding sights, the breathtaking Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is set to the southeast of Grand Junction in western Colorado.