The Perfect Fall Foliage Road Trip in Colorado

I believe it's fitting that the starting line of our Colorado fall foliage road trip should be in the forest, specifically, the White River National Forest. With 2.3 million acres to start your grand autumnal adventure, just imagine the fall colors that will surround you. Home to stunning places like the Maroon Bells, Sweetwater Lake, and Hanging Lake, towering Rocky Mountain peaks, and woodlands of quaking aspen that provide the gorgeous golden glow I've grown to love.

In recent years, Snowmass Village was named one of The Best Small Towns in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage, and it's a well-deserved accolade. Known best for its year-round outdoor recreation, Snowmass Village is home to groves of aspen trees with leaves of gold come fall. I suggest spending a few hours here hiking and enjoying the scenery. After all, it's one of the best places to be in the country during fall!

Traveling through the expansive 1.6 million acres of Gunnison National Forest in western Colorado is a feast for the eyes during the fall. The once-green leafy aspen trees will eventually transform into their full fall glory, creating a dreamy landscape. If I were you, I would find a trail or two to hike and really take in the beauty of the season at the Gunnison National Forest.

While you can certainly camp in Gunnison National Forest, if you're anything like me, you may prefer the comforts of home when traveling. Located in the unincorporated community of Almont in Gunnison County, this secluded cabin features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Surrounded by forest and mountains, and situated close to two rivers (the Taylor River and East River), this modern cabin is an ideal base camp for adventure. Book your stay on Airbnb.

You'll start Day Two of your epic fall foliage adventure in Colorado on the Dallas Divide, a high mountain pass along State Highway 62. Running 23 miles between Ridgway and Placerville through the San Juan Mountains, the drive is incredibly scenic with overlooks you can stop at along the way and view golden aspens during the fall.

Silverton is a remote town in the San Juan Mountains, accessible via Highway 550. Here, you'll discover a charming community with scenic views just about everywhere you look. It's the perfect place to be come fall, especially when you can see the mountains covered in autumnal hues from the aspens. It's also a terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a historic train that provides one of the most scenic rides in the country. How about a scenic train ride this fall?

Our last stop may be the best stop along the route. Telluride isn't just a bucket list destination for skiers, but for anyone who enjoys a mountain town surrounded by stunning peaks. While winter is the most popular season due to its ski resorts, it's also home to a gondola that offers free rides to trails for hiking and biking, as well as skiing in the winter. This may be one of the best ways to see fall foliage in Colorado. The gondola does shut down for a time in late fall for maintenance, so check the Telluride Mountain Village website for exact dates.

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Photo credits (from top to bottom): Danita Delimont - stock.adobe.com, Jon Camrud - stock.adobe.com, SNEHIT PHOTO - stock.adobe.com, Photo courtesy of Airbnb, Alton Marsh - stock.adobe.com, Jon Camrud - stock.adobe.com, Jon Camrud - stock.adobe.com