Follow utahs scenic byways to some of the most spectacular places in the world. Scenic driving colorado, formerly colorado scenic drives, offers thirty routes, each visually stunning, from pawnee national grassland of the great plains to rocky mountain national park, the san juan mountains, and the deserts of the colorado plateau. In particular, it celebrates colorado s extraordinarily diverse system of scenic byways, 25 routes that follow lesstraveled and more inspiring roads. Colorado scenic and historic byways symposium may 67, 2020 san juan skyway, ouray, colorado. Utahs distinct topography provides the surface for 19 designated state byways. Colorado scenic byways eleven of colorados 26 byways are designated by the u. The colorado scenic and historic byways program isnt just a list of roads connecting one place to another. These long roads cut through natural beauty and memorable topography that encompass the essence of colorados landscape, one that attracts tourists and locals all year around. Colorado author stewart green details 30 scenic drives worth. Reading colorado scenic byways will inspire all of us to take to the road to enjoy these special places that truly set colorado apart. From the high mountain meadows of the mirror lake scenic byway in northern utah to the exposed rock strata of souther utahs capitol reef country scenic byway, and the dozens of byways in between, utah offers a state road network with unparalleled vistas and heritage.
Colorados scenic and historic byways has been around for more than 25 years. From cool alpine vistas to slickrock expanses, utah has something for all travelers. Scenic byways and mountain passes in colorado twentyfive routes are designated as national scenic byways, and countless other roads are worth taking. View majestic, snowcovered mountains within sight of desert expanses. Volume one, a coffeetable book that pairs glorious photos with lyrical essays on the. This handbook was prepared for scenic byways 88, a national conference to map the future of americas scenic roads and highways. Jim steinbergs love of his adopted state and his passion for exploring its natural beauty from every angle and in every season inspired his most recent book, colorado scenic byways.
Collegiate peaks scenic byway starting in fort collins, this 101mile. Colorado scenic and historic byways updated their cover photo. Whether you prefer a quick drive or longer, breathtaking journey, grand county has the a. Colorado scenic byways, taking the other road, by jim steinberg, susan tweit 16. Nov 23, 2010 when the colorado scenic and historic byways program was created in 1989, the highway was selected as one of the five initial designated routes. Top of the rockies scenic byway map colorado vacation.
May 16, 2016 these 12 beautiful byways in colorado are perfect for a scenic drive. The highway connects utah highway 95 with us highway 163 by crossing cedar mesa and plunging down the dugway at an 10% grade, revealing sweeping views of valley of the gods, stripes of color in the rocks of the san juan. Prior to visiting a byway, we recommend the following. Dropping 1,700 feet in elevation from end to end, the colorado river headwaters byway follows the colorado past reservoirs and lush ranchlands, and through narrow canyons flanked by the railroad. A fabulous journey through history, geology, culture and nature awaits you on the unaweeptabeguache scenic and historic byway. Colorados first national forest scenic byway loops through the san juan mountains, and has been called the most beautiful drive in america. That wonderful time of year where the sun stays out late, the weather is finally warm and the sky is clear and blue is finally here, which means its time to get outside and enjoy this gorgeous state. Colorado state publications blog time machine tuesday. Consider that you can see the highest points in the rocky mountains on epic colorado scenic byways like trail ridge road through rocky mountain national park, on top of the rockies past mt. These 12 beautiful byways in colorado are perfect for a scenic drive.
This page is dedicated to giving you snippets of the scenery, history, restaurants, lodging, activities, and more along the colorado byways. Massive the two tallest peaks in the state and on the san juan skyway, which climbs through the dazzling and jagged san juan mountains before descending south to the cliff dwellings of mesa verde national park. Colorado scenic byways, taking the other road susan j tweit. Colorados scenic byways by jim steinberg, hardcover barnes. Enjoy plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing along the way. These byways follow existing roads or highways and are signed with a rocky mountain columbine the colorado state flower logo denoting the route. In 1989, colorado began the scenic and historic byways program to promote our exceptional travel opportunities. Colorados scenic and historic byways has been around since 1989. Colorado s scenic and historic byways has been around since 1989.
Colorado scenic byways map drive loop co vacation directory. There are wonderful drives all across america including national scenic byways, back country byways, and state scenic byways. Protecting our natural heritage through the wilderness act, by doug scott 17. Southern colorado known as a heritage town with grand nineteenthcentury architecture and brick streets that date to the early 1900s, trinidad is set in a green valley halfway between denver and santa fe. Notable attractions include blue ridge and byers peak 12,804 ft. Dont miss the camp hale memorial or the historic tabor opera house. The centennial state has 26 designated scenic byways, 11 of which are nationally recognized as americas byways. Hi, we are planning on touring colorado in june next year starting in durango for a few days to see mesa verde and the train, then spending a week or so driving around colorado before heading to yellowstone.
His latest travel book a sister book to colorado less traveled is his most extensive and comprehensive look at colorado s landscapes. The town is surrounded by vast state and national recreation areas, including two state parks. Colorado s first national forest scenic byway loops through the san juan mountains, and has been called the most beautiful drive in america. Top 5 scenic drives near colorado springs visit colorado springs. View the colorado scenic and historic byways virtual guide. Top of the rockies scenic byway rarely dipping below 9,000 feet, this 75mile, highaltitude route travels from twin lakes to leadville before branching off to either minturn or copper mountain.
It was designed as a conference guide and reference for participants. The true story of a country physician in the colorado rockies paperback, by virginia. These 12 beautiful byways in colorado are perfect for a. All 26 of colorado s gorgeous scenic and historic byways some unpavedand how long it takes to travel each one. Colorado scenic byways colorado department of transportation. All 26 of colorados gorgeous scenic and historic bywayssome unpavedand how long it takes to travel each one. Utah 261 is part of the trail of ancients, a national scenic byway that stretches across 480 miles through colorado and utah. These byways provide outstanding touring routes throughout colorado and give the travelers an inside look at the states magnificent views and history. Some roads in colorado are designated as scenic byways and are particularly outstanding. We want to encourage you to intentionally make plans to get away from the hustle and bustle of regular life in 2020, and to set out for the hidden beauty nearby.
The colorado book awards online celebration is scheduled for saturday. Fed by high mountain runoff, the lake is clear and pristine. Rocky mountain national park at the edge of rocky mountain national park, grand lake is the deepest natural lake in colorado, dipping to 265 feet. Secretary of transportation as americas byways, which gives colorado more national designations than any other state in the u. There are several national historic or scenic byways which pass near pueblo, exploring old stagecoach routes and pioneer trails in the front range region of the rockies. Consisting of highways 141 and 145, the vast scenery along this byway will keep you inspired along your journey. Colorado scenic byways taking the other road twovolume. Leaving the highways to explore the byways, back roads, dirt roads and trails is a great way to as john muir put it wash your spirit clean. Black canyon of the gunnison sheer cliffs, deep chasms, and dark shadows make the 2,000footdeep black canyon of the gunnison. In the summer, you can rent a boat, bring your own or simply enjoy the.
Colorado is a state of majestic landscapes dominated by expansive plains, lofty mountain peaks, dramatic canyons, and broad valleys. The handbook provides an overview of the nations scenic road programs. San juan skyway take this 236mile loop past hot springs, over mountains, and to travel the million dollar highway. When the colorado scenic and historic byways program was created in 1989, the highway was selected as one of the five initial designated routes. Whether you plan on touring the entire loop or just visiting the area for a quick trip, a new adventure is always right around the corner. Most are free, while some including mt evans, pikes peak and trail ridge rd, charge a fee. Her articles on the west have appeared in the new york times, the christian science monitor. Colorados scenic byways by jim steinberg, hardcover. Church park road scenic drive church park road connects travelers between hot sulphur springs and fraser, colorado. This old frontier zone south of the arkansas river marked the intersection of native american, spanish, french, and american territories.
Enjoy the views colorado has to offer from the comfort of your vehicle while on your. List of colorado scenic and historic byways wikipedia. Byways traveling the hidden corners of the country. With eight national and 18 state scenic byways, your experience begins as soon as you pack up the vehicle.
Colorado scenic byways colorados most scenic drives. Colorado scenic and historic byways 1,091 photos tourist. The colorado scenic and historic byways are highway and backroad routes in the u. Colorado cache cookbook, by junior league of denver 15. Colorado scenic drives historic byways, mountain passes. The 26 byways have been carefully selected by the colorado byways commission to awe, instruct, delight, inform, physically challenge, soothe, and bolster the physical and spiritual health of the thousands of travelers who traverse. The 10 best colorado scenic drives with photos tripadvisor. Colorado scenic byways comes as a slipcased set including two books. Thirty years ago, colorado set up a program to preserve and promote the states best drives. Click on the individual byway links in the map below for major features and local chambers. Ride information includes directions to start of route, description of ride, distance, elevation gain, full maps and elevation profiles as well recommended seasons to ride and places. See amazing attractions and incredible views on these beautiful scenic.
The sixmile perimeter trail in ouray the path starts at the towns visitors center on u. This 236mile route follows statemaintained highways on a journey through the towering mountains and mining towns, to the rolling vistas and ancient archaeological sites of indian country. Collegiate peaks scenic byway starting in fort collins, this 101mile northcentral colorado trip winds through roosevelt national forest, poudre canyon and scenic north park before dropping into the quiet town of walden. The colorado scenic and historic byways program is a statewide partnership which provides recreational, educational, and economic benefits to coloradans and visitors. Take a look at some of the scenic byway connections just a tank away. Speas among the best 100 books on colorado history. Taking the other road, which he calls his love letter to colorado s landscapes. Click on any one of colorados 25 scenic byways to view a map of the drive.
Or, take off on your own and explore the backcountry roads in the rolling hills of the western great plains. Features fullcolor photos and route maps for each drive. Search colorado scenic drives keyword destination breckenridge buena vista colorado springs cortez denver dinosaur nm ut durango estes park fort collins friscodillon georgetown glenwood springs grand junction grand lake idaho springs leadville mesa verde np monte vista ouray pagosa springs pueblo rocky mountain np salida san juan mountains. Colorado is home to 26 scenic and historic byways, which take you from the eastern plains up through the rocky mountains, including mt. The peak to peak scenic and historic byway parallels the continental divide between black hawk in gregory gulch and estes park, gateway to rocky mountain national park. But for the fifth edition of his book scenic driving colorado, he made sure to get out and drive over familiar highways and byways once again. Scenic byways in colorado colorado forum tripadvisor. Visit the byways with books in honor of colorado day, tomorrow, august 1, the colorado department of transportations scenic and amy zimmer, july 31, 2014. Twentyfive routes are designated as national scenic byways, and countless other roads are worth taking.
Colorado scenic byways celebrates the siren call of the open road and the promise of new vistas and opportunities just over the next hill, around the next bend, or beyond the far horizon. There are several mountains to photograph along this byway, but dont miss the chance to frame aptly named lizard head. Drive over berthoud pass and make a grand entrance into the country, ride along the mighty colorado river or climb over trail ridge road in rocky mountain park. All 26 of colorados scenic and historic byways 11 of which are also designated americas byways, and countless other scenic drives that crisscross the highest and lowest altitudes of colorado, welcome motorcycle riders, leisure drivers and all others hungry for a taste of colorados history and scenic beauty. The tour spans approximately 24 miles and takes around two hours. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Journey to the heart of the human predicament by george stranahan and nicole beinstein strait 2011 touchstones of design. State of colorado designated by the colorado scenic and historic byways commission of the colorado department of transportation for their scenic or historic values. Wherever you drive in colorado at whenever of year, the landscapes are usually stunning.
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