#Sand Loop 149

If you want to see Colorado at its best, roll the windows down and hit one of these drives. 🚗🍂 Follow @americantravelarchives for more hidden gems and bucket list adventures across the U.S. Colorado’s scenic byways are some of the most beautiful in the country, and each one feels like its own adventure. Whether you’re chasing fall colors, mountain peaks, or quiet alpine lakes, these are the drives you can’t skip: 🪙 Million Dollar Highway (US-550) – Arguably the most iconic drive in Colorado. It winds between Ouray and Silverton with hairpin turns, sheer cliffs, and jaw-dropping mountain views. No guardrails, no bad angles — just pure adrenaline and beauty. 🍁 Guanella Pass – A local favorite near Georgetown, this 22-mile drive climbs to 11,669 ft and explodes with golden aspens in September. Short hikes and overlooks make it a must for fall. 🏔 Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain National Park) – The highest continuous paved road in the U.S. at 12,183 ft. You’ll drive above the treeline with 360° views of the Rockies — it feels like you’re on top of the world. 🌲 Old Fall River Road (RMNP) – A one-way dirt road built in 1920 that climbs up to Trail Ridge. It’s slow, narrow, and rugged — but the views, waterfalls, and wildlife make it worth every minute. Open only in summer and early fall. 🌄 West Elk Loop Scenic Byway – A lesser-known gem connecting Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Paonia. Expect canyons, lakes, and small mountain towns surrounded by forests that turn gold in autumn. ✨ Pro Tip: Fall is the best time to drive them all — late September through early October for peak color at different elevations. Which one would you drive first… the Million Dollar Highway or the peaceful Guanella Pass?

The perfect Colorado road trip does exist 🚗 📲 Send to your road trip buddy This road trip deserves at least 10-14 days but you could easily add or subtract days from your itinerary to suit your schedule! Colorado Springs 🏜️ Explore Garden of the Gods 🍻 Grab a beer at a local brewery 🏘️ Walk around Old Colorado City and Downtown Colorado Springs Great Sand Dunes National Park 🥾Hike High Dune, not the tallest in the park but at 699 feet it offers panoramic views 🏂Sandboarding & sledding - to experience the dunes! Rent one from a nearby outfitter 🧊 Medano Creek - from late spring to early summer� Creede 🎭 Wander around the small downtown�🏔 Drive the Bachelor Loop for mining history + views�⛏ Explore the Underground Mining Museum 🌊 Visit North Clear Creek Falls (no hiking required)� Lake City 🚙 Drive the Alpine Loop 4x4 road�🐟 Walk on the suspension bridge on Lake San Cristobal�🏘 Stroll the historic downtown (have ice cream at the San Juan Soda Shop)�🥾 Hike to Fanny Fern Mine Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP 🏞️Drive around the park for the main viewpoints 🎟️ Fee to enter Colorado National Monument 🥾Hike the Devil’s Kitchen Trail, a 1.5 mi RT 🚗 Drive the 23 mi long Rim Rock Drive- overlooks into the canyons. 🥾Monument Canyon Trail, 6 mi one way & takes you past Independence Monument 🎟️Fee to enter Palisade 🍷 Sip wine at one of the 30+ local wineries 🍑 Pick fresh peaches in late summer�🦙 Visit an alpaca farm�🥾 Hike Mount Garfield � Rifle Falls State Park 🌊 See the triple waterfall�🕳 Explore small caves near the falls�🅿️ CO State Park pass required�👟 No hiking required to see the falls� Hanging Lake Trail ⛰ Hike the steep 1.2-mile trail (one way)�💧 Enjoy the turquoise water at Hanging Lake�🎟 reservation is required�🌅 Go early for fewer crowds (we booked the 8AM slot) Glenwood Springs ♨️ Soak in a hot spring 🏘️ Walk around downtown 🎢 Seek thrills at Glenwood Cavern Adventure Park Breckenridge ❄️Historic Main Street 🏂Enjoy winter sports at @breckenridgemtn or go hiking in the summer!� Would you want to do this road trip? #coloradoadventures #usaroadtrip #usatravel #explorecolorado #coloradooutdoors Visit Colorado

Would you believe…… Follow @thisworldtraveled for more daily travel 🏞️ That this is one of the least driven roads in Colorado? 🚗 📌Save this for your next Colorado road trip 📍Colorado State Highway 92 (CO 92) While this road stretches 73.22 miles long, the most important and beautiful part of it is the scenic stretch along the north rim of the Black Canyon. Driving this way from Creede towards Palisade delivers some serious canyon scenery with some dramatic views along the way. Would you drive this road and add an extra 30-45 minutes to your drive or would you take the faster route without the views? #coloradooutdoors #coloradoroadtrip #coloradoadventures #visitcolorado

If you want to see Colorado at its best, here’s where you should go... 🚗🍂 Follow @americantravelarchives for more hidden gems and bucket list adventures across the U.S. Colorado’s scenic byways are some of the most beautiful in the country, and each one feels like its own adventure. Whether you’re chasing fall colors, mountain peaks, or quiet alpine lakes, these are the drives you can’t skip: 🪙 Million Dollar Highway (US-550) – Arguably the most iconic drive in Colorado. It winds between Ouray and Silverton with hairpin turns, sheer cliffs, and jaw-dropping mountain views. No guardrails, no bad angles — just pure adrenaline and beauty. 🍁 Guanella Pass – A local favorite near Georgetown, this 22-mile drive climbs to 11,669 ft and explodes with golden aspens in September. Short hikes and overlooks make it a must for fall. 🏔 Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain National Park) – The highest continuous paved road in the U.S. at 12,183 ft. You’ll drive above the treeline with 360° views of the Rockies — it feels like you’re on top of the world. 🌲 Old Fall River Road (RMNP) – A one-way dirt road built in 1920 that climbs up to Trail Ridge. It’s slow, narrow, and rugged — but the views, waterfalls, and wildlife make it worth every minute. Open only in summer and early fall. 🌄 West Elk Loop Scenic Byway – A lesser-known gem connecting Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Paonia. Expect canyons, lakes, and small mountain towns surrounded by forests that turn gold in autumn. ✨ Pro Tip: Fall is the best time to drive them all — late September through early October for peak color at different elevations. Which one would you drive first… the Million Dollar Highway or the peaceful Guanella Pass?

🗺️ Ultimate Colorado Loop 📍 Start + end in Denver ➡️ Rocky Mountain National Park ➡️ Paint Mines Interpretive Trail ➡️ Cripple Creek ➡️ Pikes Peak ➡️ Ouray ➡️ Ice Lake Basin ➡️ Durango ➡️ Mesa Verde National Park ➡️ Crested Butte ➡️ Back to Denver Perfect for a summer road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime Colorado adventure. ✨ Save this for later if Colorado is on your bucket list 🚗 Share with your road trip partner #ColoradoRoadTrip #UltimateRoadTrip #ScenicDrives #MountainLovers #RoadTripInspiration

Colorado is one of those states you have to see by road, seen via @patrickjamesgarrett 🚗🏔️ Tag someone you’d plan this drive with! 🏔️From Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park to scenic mountain passes and small alpine towns, Colorado delivers nonstop views. Every turn reveals snow-capped peaks, wild landscapes, and dramatic skies — making the journey just as good as the destination. 📍Colorado, USA 🇺🇸

Your 2026 Colorado road trip is officially planned. 👇 There are so many secret spots in this corner of the state—which one are you hitting first? Forget the I-70 traffic. We’re heading to the backroads. 1️⃣ Gold aspens in Crested Butte 2️⃣ Fresh cider & swings at Big B’s 🍏 3️⃣ UTVing the Alpine Loop in Lake City 4️⃣ The bright blue water at Ice Lakes Basin 5️⃣ Sunset gondola rides in Telluride Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

Million Dollar Highway in Snow ❄️🤍 Between Alpine Views and the Edge⛰️ #milliondollarhighway #colorado #switzerlandofamerica #coloradoviews #alpineviews

The Colorado road Itinerary you’ll want to save: 1. Rocky Mountain National Park: hike the family friendly 3mi. Trail to Emerald and Dream Lake (tip: you’ll need RMNP reservations to include the Bear Lake Corridor) 2. Guanella Pass: driving this beautiful mountain pass should be on your bucket list. If you want to hike: tread the lower portion of Mt. Bierstadt for unparalleled views and wildlife. 3. Mt. Princeton hot springs: these hot springs are some of our ultimate favorite. From a family friendly pool with a slide, to riverside pools, these hot springs are worth the stop. 4. Melanzana for some shopping: Melanzana is a Colorado exclusive staple. Their merch is in high demand, and shipping reservations are required. 5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison: for those willing to make the trek to Gunnison, Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park is the “Grand Canyon of Colorado.” This park is breathtaking in every sense of the word…..you won’t be disappointed. #colorado #roadtrips #heaveroo #gunnison #rockymountains

🚨Warning: A Colorado roadtrip is exactly the advice you needed to hear…. 🚎 Follow me for fun, adventurous roadtrips, travel plans, itineraries, and hidden gems. 🛬fly into Denver 📍Glenwood Springs (2 days) 📍Telluride (2 days) 📍Great Sand Dunes NP (1 day) 🛫fly out of Denver #adventure #roadtrip #beautiful #love #viral

🍂🚗 Driving I-70 through the Colorado canyons in the fall is absolutely unforgettable. Golden, orange, and red colors covering the mountains, the river cutting through the valley, and the highway winding between massive canyon walls — every turn looks like a postcard. If you love road trips + nature + fall colors, this stretch belongs on your bucket list. Who would take this drive today? #Colorado #I70 #FallColors #RoadTrip #Canyons Travel Nature Mountains

You haven’t really seen Colorado yet… until you drive it 🚗❄️ Locals love it. Tourists miss it. Breckenridge → Vail → Beaver Creek → Aspen Four mountain towns. One iconic Colorado road trip Save this for your next Colorado adventure. Follow @travelmira_ Colorado road trip ideas like this 🚗 #colorado #coloradoroadtrip #breckenridgecolorado #visitvail #aspencolorado