Denver scenic drives offer an unparalleled way to enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty. This article focuses on the top drives near Denver that provide awe-inspiring vistas and thrilling experiences. You’ll find routes that offer mountain peaks, rolling plains, and everything in between.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Start your journey on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. This is North America’s highest paved road. Situated just 60 miles west of Denver, a drive to Mount Evans can be easily accomplished in a day trip. The journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours one-way, depending on traffic.
Tickets are required to enter the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and you can purchase them by creating an account on recreation.gov. Starting in Idaho Springs, the byway is North America’s highest paved road, ascending over 7,000 feet during its 28-mile route to reach an elevation of 14,130 feet. Along the way, expect stunning views of the Continental Divide, various wildlife including mountain goats and bighorn sheep, as well as unique flora like Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine trees. The area facilitates easy access to Colorado’s high-altitude marvels, making it a popular destination for day-trippers.
Only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day due to snow conditions, this route provides an exhilarating experience, allowing you to ascend nearly 9,000 feet, covering five climate zones, to reach the summit of Mount Evans—one of Colorado’s renowned “fourteeners.” For additional guidance, there is a National Forest information center in Idaho Springs where you can find maps and other useful information.
Lariat Loop
The Lariat Loop, a National Scenic Byway, is a captivating 40-mile route just west of Denver, connecting the towns of Golden, Morrison, and Evergreen. The loop offers a diverse array of attractions from natural wonders like Red Rocks Amphitheatre to historical landmarks like Buffalo Bill’s grave on Lookout Mountain. The drive takes about 2 hours to complete, but you’ll likely want to allocate more time for exploring the numerous parks, museums, and other points of interest along the way.
Just around a 20 to 30-minute drive from Denver, the loop starts in Golden, a town famous not only for Coors Brewery but also its frontier history and the Colorado School of Mines. Outdoor enthusiasts can find ample hiking opportunities in nearby Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Evergreen, another town on the loop, is a haven of natural beauty. With Denver less than 45 minutes away, it’s a popular weekend escape for city residents who enjoy fishing, hiking, and winter bighorn sheep sightings.
Historically, the Lariat Loop draws its name from the original Lariat Trail and offers stops at places like Hiawatha Homestead and Buffalo Bill’s Museum and Grave, adding a rich historical dimension to the scenic drive.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Drive
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Drive is about 10 minutes northeast of downtown Denver. It’s an 11-mile self-guided tour through a wildlife refuge. The area was once contaminated but has been restored and is now home to over 330 species of wildlife. You can see animals like deer, bison, and various birds while driving through prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats. The refuge also offers over 20 miles of hiking trails.
Golden and Lookout Mountain
Golden and Lookout Mountain are ideal destinations for those seeking a quick escape from Denver’s bustling city life. Located just under 30 minutes from Denver, these spots offer a variety of activities from hiking and biking to simply enjoying the scenic views. A quick drive on the westbound 6th Avenue Freeway from Denver will get you there. For those coming from areas north or south of Denver, the I-25 connects to 6th Avenue southwest of downtown.
This area is a two-in-one travel destination. You can reach the summit of Lookout Mountain from Golden in about 20 minutes, driving along one of the Front Range’s most scenic routes. This drive is part of the Lariat Loop, a National Scenic Byway that also connects to Evergreen and Morrison. Lookout Mountain itself stands at 7,377 feet and offers unparalleled views of the Denver metro area and the expansive plains to the east.
Rich in history, Lookout Mountain was used by the Ute tribe as a strategic point long before Golden was established as a town. Today, it’s a must-visit spot for breathtaking views and a touch of Colorado history.
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is a little over an hour and a half drive from Denver, making it a feasible day trip or an excellent choice for a longer getaway.
The prediction that this spectacular drive would become a sensation, made during its construction in the early 1930s, has certainly come true. Often described as a “highway to the sky,” it lives up to the hype.
Covering 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s eastern side and Grand Lake on the western side, the road offers a journey through varying landscapes and elevations. Eleven of these miles are above the treeline, reaching elevations near 11,500 feet. The road’s highest point is at 12,183 feet, providing breathtaking vistas, opportunities for wildlife sightings, and colorful displays of alpine wildflowers.
The drive along Trail Ridge Road is a transformative experience. Starting in montane forests filled with aspen and ponderosa pine, the route transitions into dense subalpine forests of fir and spruce. Upon reaching the treeline, the last wind-beaten trees give way to the alpine tundra, a landscape that mimics the conditions of the Canadian or Alaskan Arctic. Despite its harshness, this elevated tundra is a bustling ecosystem. Animals like pikas, marmots, ptarmigans, and bighorn sheep are common sights, and despite a short growing season, the tundra blooms with vibrant alpine plants.
While up there, the road offers several marked pull-offs for safely enjoying and photographing the expansive views. These lookouts offer panoramic views ranging from Wyoming in the north, across the Front Range cities and the Great Plains to the east, and deep into the Rocky Mountains to the south and west.
For those looking to explore beyond just the drive, the Tundra World Nature Trail is a half-hour walk starting near the parking area at Rock Cut. The trail gives you a closer look at the flora and fauna inhabiting this high-altitude world.
Note that as of 2023, a timed-entry reservation system is in effect during busy daylight hours. If you want to drive Trail Ridge Road, make sure you have a park reservation, or plan to enter before 9 am or after 2 pm. The actual drive can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and how often you stop to take in the views.
Peak to Peak Highway
- Distance from Denver: Approximately 1 hour
- Total Distance: 55 miles from Black Hawk north to Estes Park
- Established: 1918, making it Colorado’s oldest scenic byway
The Peak to Peak Highway is the first designated scenic byway in Colorado, established in 1918. It stretches for 55 miles from Black Hawk to Estes Park. The road offers views of the Continental Divide and has gravel pull-offs that lead to campgrounds, trailheads, and high-country lakes. Along the way, you can also visit ghost towns like Hesse and Apex.
The highway passes through Nederland, a town known for its annual “Frozen Dead Guy Days” festival. Nearby attractions include Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and Eldora Ski Resort. The route is easily accessible from Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins, making it a convenient option for a day trip or longer getaway. It serves as both a recreational and conservation area, catering to a variety of outdoor activities.
Essential Things to Know About Denver
- Origin of Name: Named after James W. Denver, 19th-century American politician.
- Altitude: Denver is known as the Mile-High City; it’s exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
- Outdoor Activities: Denver is close to skiing, hiking, and mountain biking areas.
- Sports: Denver is home to several major sports teams like the Broncos, Nuggets, and Rockies.
- Consuming marijuana prior to driving could lead to a DUI arrest, even though adult-use of cannabis is legal in Colorado. Just like with alcohol, the state has set a legal limit for THC impairment while driving. The law can charge you with a DUI if you have 5 nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter of whole blood.
Tips for Road Tripping Around Denver
- Vehicle Condition: Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained; mountain driving can be tough on cars.
- Snacks and Hydration: Always carry water and high-energy snacks.
- Altitude Sickness: Be aware of the symptoms; carry medication if needed.
- Map and GPS: Carry a physical map as backup; GPS can be unreliable in remote areas.
- Early Start: Start your drives early to avoid traffic and maximize daylight.
- Emergency Kit: Pack a basic emergency kit with first-aid supplies, a flashlight, and extra clothing.
- Parking: Popular spots may have limited parking; arrive early or use public transport where possible.
- Fuel: Gas stations may be sparse in mountain areas; keep the tank at least half full.
