It's a fact that Colorado has some of the most beautiful roads in the country. However, when it comes to the Last Dollar Road -- which connects the equally gorgeous Telluride and Ridgway -- this beauty is amplified even more, thanks in part to this magical and unexpected tunnel of trees:
Considered to be one of the most stunning drives in the country, the Last Dollar Road is a colorful 18-mile trek that passes through (and under) some of the most amazing scenery in not just the state, but the entire country. Want our advice? Make plans to travel the road during every season, as the views are always changing (and always beautiful). To access the road, head west on Highway 62 from Ridgway about 12 miles and hang a left at the sign.
With its colorful history and abandoned ghost towns, mines, and railroad tunnels, it should be no surprise that Colorado is chock-full of weird and downright creepy places. However, how does one decide which is the eeriest of all with so many of these abandoned places in Colorado? Business Insider thinks they have it figured out, and we have to agree. Whether you're into Colorado urbex or history, this abandoned location is a must-visit:
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It's official: the Atlas E. Missile Site in Greeley is one of the eeriest places in the country, as per Business Insider's released The eeriest abandoned place in every state.
Constructed in 1961, the Atlas E. Missile Site was part of the first multi-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, which were used during the Cold War and later abandoned for more advanced missiles.
As per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, there are five former Atlas E intercontinental ballistic missile sites around the state, four of which are in Weld County and can still be seen at the Missile Silo Park.
Located between Greeley, Windsor, and Loveland, the Missile Silo Park gives visitors an inside glimpse at these once state-of-the-art, now dark and eerie Cold War-era structures, plus jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to Colorado's Atlas E. Missile Site, Insider also notes Bodie, California, the Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory in Dawson Forest, Georgia, and Tanner's Hospital in Ely, Minnesota (pictured).
Aside from being outdoors, one of Colorado's favorite pastimes is taking long and scenic drives, which - lucky for us - are incredibly easy to come by in the Centennial State! If you have driven all of the iconic roads and are looking for something a little more hidden, however, there is only one road to take, which is the underrated and underappreciated Shelf Road. Come with us as we explore one of the most scenic drives in Colorado.
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Welcome to Shelf Road, AKA, the "most adventurous and rugged drive on the Gold Belt Scenic Byway"!
Located near Cripple Creek, Shelf Road is adventurous and rugged in that the stretch is unpaved, which may sound daunting and dangerous, but - according to Visit Colorado Springs - is actually suitable for most cars (though all-wheel drive is still considered best).
How did this rough and tumble road come to be? It turns out that it is as historical as it is fun to drive, as Shelf Road was originally a stagecoach route that served the communities of Cripple Creek and Canon City, and was also one of the first roads from the Arkansas Valley into the once-famed Cripple Creek Mining District.
In addition to the underrated drive, Shelf Road is also a stellar spot for rock climbing and hiking, so be sure to carve out time to get out of the car and explore the area.
Which Colorado drive is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to take a look at our road trip essentials before hitting the road. For even more epic roads, check out the article below:
