Rocky Mountain National Park
Photo: Trougnouf via CC
Colorado is famous for its awe-inspiring geography. Here are four scenic drives you won’t want to miss if you’re planning a future road trip in the Centennial State.
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Trail Ridge Road
If you’re looking for panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park, try the Trail Ridge Road drive. You’ll see a wide range of geographical features, from lava cliffs and glaciers to alpine forests and snowy mountain peaks. Keep a lookout for local elk herds that tend to frequent the area. And pack some hiking boots in case you want to get out and explore some of the trails that you’ll find along the route.
The Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway extends 512 miles and is shared by both Colorado and Utah. The route gets its name from its diamond-shaped loop when you connect the dots on a map between Moab, Helper, Vernal, and Grand Junction. Red rock formations and bold landscapes characterize the drive. You can also see Native American rock art as well as fossils and footprints left by dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals who lived here.
Cache la Poudre Scenic Byway
The Poudre Canyon is home to many spectacular views like Profile Rock, pictured here. This majestic feature is about 40 miles from the heart of Fort Collins. This rock feature was named “Old Man’s Face” by the Forest Service years and years ago. 📸: @… https://t.co/KGBkNBbZHz pic.twitter.com/uAGRdeRctP
— Visit Fort Collins (@VisitFtCollins) October 1, 2019
The Cache la Poudre North Park Drive follows the Poudre River through the Front Range region that connects the historic towns of Walden and Fort Collins. It spans 101 miles of road, so you should allow yourself a few hours to journey the whole length of it. This route delivers stunning views of Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll also have a chance to spot bighorn sheep and moose along the way, so keep your eyes peeled during the drive and consider bringing binoculars.
Pike’s Peak Highway
If you’re planning a future excursion to Colorado Springs, make sure to include Pike’s Peak Highway on your itinerary. This 19-mile stretch of road starts in Cascade and continues to Pikes Peak summit in El Paso County. The road’s highest altitude is 14,115 feet, so it’s not a path for the faint of heart. Once you make it to the top, however, you’ll reap the reward of some epic views. And make sure to check out the cafe and gift shop there if you need a snack or souvenir before continuing on your way.
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Whitney Russell is a current resident of Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not adventuring through the exciting world of car news, she can be found hiking with her husband and their two dogs, visiting nephews and nieces, discovering new memes, thrifting, decorating, crafting, woodburning, researching random things, and escaping into a great movie. See more articles by Whitney.
