Colorado's Oldest Scenic Byway Offers A Road Trip Of Rocky Mountain Views & Quirky Attractions

The rugged and wild landscapes of Colorado attract nature enthusiasts from all over the world. Nicknamed "colorful Colorado" due to its magnificent scenery, it offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. In the winter months you can enjoy some of the country's most epic skiing and snowboarding in Colorado's best ski towns like Vail, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen. In the summer it's the perfect destination for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting for unmatched thrills. The state is home to four national parks including Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and the ever-popular Rocky Mountain National Park.

The state's largest city, Denver, offers all of the live music and nightlife that anyone could ever desire and picturesque mountain towns, each with their own unique flavor, are scattered all across the state. Both foodies and ski lovers will thrive on a trip to Colorado — there's truly something for every type of traveler. If you're looking to experience the perfect sample platter of all the state has to offer, the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway is an awesome place to start. The route stretches from the town of Estes Park and continues for around 55 miles towards Black Hawk. If you were to drive straight through without stopping, it would only take you about an hour and a half to complete the route, but make sure that you carve out plenty of time to stop and enjoy some of Colorado's best attractions and scenery along the way.

The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway can be reached in under an hour from some of Colorado's most popular cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. The route is open year round so its an excellent option if you're visiting during the chillier months and wish to experience the scenery from the warmth and comfort of your car. The foliage is particularly lovely in the autumn.

You can begin the scenic drive from either direction — starting in either Estes Park and heading south or Black Hawk and heading north. Black Hawk and its neighbor, Central City were both former mining towns where gold was abundant during the mid-to-late 1800s. Gambling at the casinos is the new way in which traveler's hope to strike it rich, but both towns still maintain some of the Old West spirit. Central City has some lovely Victorian era architecture, including an old theater that is currently being restored. If you want to veer off track a bit, there is an interesting ghost town called Nevadaville nearby.

As you continue north, you'll pass through Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which is a great place to stop for a hike. You'll find over 35 miles of trails that pass through forests, meadows, and along streams. Carve out a little time to stop in the hippie mountain town of Nederland. The laid-back Ned vibes are quintessentially Colorado, and there are some fun restaurants and unique shops worth checking out. Kathmandu Restaurant has a great lunch buffet with flavors from India and Nepal. There are also several cool breweries and the entirety of the town is walkable. Make sure to take a ride on the Carousel of Happiness — a fully restored ride originally from 1910 with colorful hand painted animals.

After leaving Nederland you'll pass through Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, which together encompass over 1.5 million acres of protected land. They are some of the most visited national forests in the United States. You'll also pass by the Indian Peaks Wilderness Areas, which has multiple mountain peaks that reach higher than 13,000 feet as well as 50 lakes and over 130 miles of hiking trails.

As you enter into Rocky Mountain National Park, you'll pass Longs Peak — one of Colorado's most famous mountains. If you've ever heard someone talking about hiking a "fourteener" then Longs Peak is almost certainly on their bucket list. At its summit Longs Peak reaches a height of 14,256 feet. Thousands of experienced mountain climbers attempt the strenuous journey to the top each year, and only half of them make it to the top according to the National Park Service. As your car climbs up the winding mountain roads, you can enjoy some of the most incredible views of the majestic Continental Divide, which falls within the national park.

After passing the park, you'll descend into the town of Estes Park. Make sure to spend some time exploring the village before you depart. Estes Park is known as the basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park, so it's often busy during peak tourist season which runs from June through August, and then spikes again in the fall from September through October. There are plenty of cute shops and restaurants, although some are a little kitschy and touristy. You'll find plenty of excellent accommodation options nearby, including resorts, cabins, campgrounds, and hotels if you'd like to stay for a few days and explore Rocky Mountain National Park