This handbook was prepared for scenic byways 88, a national conference to map the future of americas scenic roads and highways. North central colorado nationally designated scenic byways the u. The colorado scenic and historic byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide educational, recreational and economic benefits to coloradans and visitors. Goldbelt tour scenic byway composed of 3 roads high park road, shelf road and phantom. Colorado river headwaters scenic byway travel alongside the roaring colorado river on this 80mile byway from grand lake to state bridge, colorado. Scenic drives to consider in colorado are listed below. Oregons scenic byways oregons most beautiful drives. The mount evans scenic byway is known for being the highest paved roadway in north america, as it is said to climb up over 14, feet. Goldbelt tour scenic byway map colorado vacation directory. Dont miss three lakes reservoir, fishing on the rivers gold medal waters near kremmling and. When parents are planning the best vacations in colorado with the kids, they can hardly miss by focusing on colorados scenic and historic byways.
State scenic byways 15 beaver canyon scenic byway hwy 153 from beaver to mount holly check for road conditions a jewel of a canyon, it is. Following is a sampling of colorados scenic drives with the best views and activities. Top of the rockies scenic byway colorado scenic drives. Prior to visiting a byway, we recommend the following. Wildlife abounds and access to miles of public land offers yearround recreation and views of mountain landscapes and geology. Frontier pathways scenic byway colorado scenic drives on. The handbook provides an overview of the nations scenic road programs. Colorado scenic and historic byways commission colorado. This 57mile byway takes you to americas continental divide where the rockies get real.
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. Thats because oregon has more scenic byways and tour routes than any other state. Weve listed eleven of them here, with a quick description of what you can expect along the way. 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. 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. Byways lists new york state department of transportation.
Scenic and historic byways are nominated by local partnership groups and designated by the colorado scenic and historic byways commission for their exceptional scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural features. Secretary of transportation as americas byways, which gives colorado more national designations than any other state. Frontier pathways scenic byway is a scenic drive in colorado. Colorado scenic byways eleven of colorados 26 byways are designated by the u.
Frontier pathways scenic byway colorado scenic drives. Currently, there is a moratorium on letters of interest andor nominations. Colorado scenic byways colorados most scenic drives. This website features each of the states byways and is designed to help you start the travel planning process. List of colorado scenic and historic byways wikipedia. Review of colorado scenic byways, taking the other road. Colorado scenic and historic byways 1,091 photos tourist.
Complete scenic drive information within colorado including maps, photos, route descriptions and more. Colorado river headwaters scenic byway map colorado. 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. The silver thread scenic byway travels from south fork to gunnison, colorado and is 117 miles long. Prepare for big skies and expansive views as the road unfurls with every curve along colorado s top of the rockies scenic byway. This two volume set includes the colorado scenic byways book and the road. 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. There are now 25 colorado scenic and historic byways. When the colorado scenic and historic byways program was created in 1989, the highway was selected as one of the five initial designated routes. The 10 best colorado scenic drives with photos tripadvisor.
With rough dirt, muddy ruts and gravel roads, not all of the byways are appropriate or safe for motorcycles. These byways follow existing roads or highways and are signed with a rocky mountain columbine the colorado state. Colorado is home to 26 scenic and historic byways, which take you from the eastern plains up through the rocky mountains, including mt. Best motorcycle rides in southwest colorado posted on august 21, 2014 by dgoquality. List of articles in category scenic byways of colorado. This system of outstanding touring routes in colorado affords the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of. Colorados scenic and historic byways has been around for more than 25 years. Colorados scenic byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational and economic benefits to coloradans and visitors.
Scenic byways and mountain passes in colorado twentyfive routes are designated as national scenic byways, and countless other roads are worth taking. Steinberg photography offers a wide variety of colorado photography. Attractions include cascading bridal veil falls, deer creek reservoir, and the heber valley railroad. Complete scenic drive information for colorado springs, colorado with maps, photos, route descriptions and more. Additional legislated new york state scenic byways nys highway law, article 12c, section 349dd new york state scenic roads designated scenic roads per article 49 of environmental conservation law new york state parkways state parkways as listed in the regulations of the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation. It will take you about 3 hours to drive, more if you plan to stop anywhere along the way. It was designed as a conference guide and reference for participants. Evans scenic byway, trail ridge road and other scenic drives near denver.
Sequoia and kings canyon national parks sometimes referred to as the gateway to the sequoias, our city lies within miles of the sierra nevadas, the tallest mountain range in the contiguous united states. The best scenic highways and byways in colorado remax. Starting at kremmling, drive west for classic trough road views of the blue river, the colorado river and beautiful mountain peaks and valleys. Click on any one of colorado s 25 scenic byways to view a map of the drive. Alpine loop national back country byway collegiate peaks scenic and historic byway colorado river headwaters scenic byway dinosaur diamond prehistoric highway flat tops trail scenic byway frontier pathways scenic and historic byway. Colorado roots digital guide the guide for localfood eaters, craftbeer lovers, scenic byway drivers, freshfruit pickers, historymuseum browsers, tinylamb petters, duderanch fanciers and everything in between. Click on any one of colorados 25 scenic byways to view a map of the drive. Most are free, while some including mt evans, pikes peak and trail ridge rd, charge a fee. 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. Colorado scenic byways colorado department of transportation. This system of outstanding touring routes in colorado affords the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest. Secretary of transportation as americas byways, which gives colorado more national designations than any other state in the u.
You can get to this somewhat gutsy road at the junction of i70 and highway 103 near idaho springs, following highway 5 directly through the mount evans. Wherever you drive in colorado at whenever of year, the landscapes are usually stunning. Featured in colorado getaways, pbs channel 4, 5280 magazine. The colorado scenic and historic byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational, and economic benefits to coloradans and visitors. To order maps, other publications or for more information about the scenic and historic byways, please visit. Colorado scenic drives byways, backways, historic routes. Dont miss three lakes reservoir, fishing on the rivers gold medal waters near kremmling and soaking in the therapeutic hot sulphur springs. 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. Top of the rockies scenic byway colorado scenic drives on. Scenic drives to consider in the colorado springs area are listed below. Colorado scenic drives historic byways, mountain passes. Thirty years ago, colorado set up a program to preserve and promote the states best drives.
Prepare for big skies and expansive views as the road unfurls with every curve along colorados top of the rockies scenic byway. The 26 scenic byways of colorado connect the dots between historic sites and acres of majestic scenery that span from redrock canyons to the peaks of the rocky mountains to sunkissed prairie. While in leadville, ride the top of the rockies scenic byway. Colorado has 26 designated scenic byways that connect historic sites to areas of breathtaking beauty. Eleven of colorados 26 byways are designated by the u. 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 scenic byways are a great way to explore a new area, see the best scenery, and learn some history. By riding the states scenic byways, visitors can view redrock canyons, snowcapped mountains, and golden prairies all from the comfort of their car. As documented in the january 2017, strategic plan for the colorado scenic and historic byways commission.
There are 26 scenic and historic byways in the state to choose from, on top of an endless amount of mountain passes and 4x4 roads. 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. Silver thread scenic byway southern colorado guide. Colorado scenic byways taking the other road twovolume. Any road submitted for designation under the national scenic byways program should be designated, through legislation or some other official declaration, as a state, indian tribe or federal land management agency scenic byway.
About halfway through the drive from kremmling, the road will dip toward the colorado river. Discover the heart of colorado along the collegiate peaks scenic and historic byway, where prairies sweep up from the arkansas rivers famous whitewater canyons to dramatic 14,000 foot peaks. This 55milelong route provides unprecedented views of the continental divide and its timbered approaches. Jun 15, 2014 the best scenic highways and byways in colorado june 15, 2014 from the first explorations of the area by the europeans and the spanish, to fur traders, scientists, gold rushers, and even artists. The exhibit represented each of the byways located in 48 of colorados 65 counties, 11 of which are nationally recognized for their outstanding scenic and historic attributions. Colorados scenic and historic byways has been around since 1989. There are 26 different scenic byways in colorado that take you through many different historic sites and thousands of acres of incredible. Jims photographs are stunning, and susans essays are evocative. There are two scenic byways that cross through the san luis valley. Scenic byways estes park colorado, lodging, specials. Colorados scenic byways by jim steinberg, hardcover. Enjoy the views colorado has to offer from the comfort of your vehicle while on your colorado vacation. The frontier pathways scenic byway celebrates the historic trail early pioneers used heading west over the wet mountains.
Highest rated places of interest or tour operators on tripadvisor, promoting those where there is at least one tour or activity available to book on tripadvisor. Always evolving, the colorado byways has several fresh ventures to announce. This book is really beautiful, i love that it explores, in detail, all of colorados little traveled byways. The colorado scenic and historic byways are highway and backroad routes in the u. Colorado scenic byways, taking the other road susan j tweit. Scenic byways in colorado colorado forum tripadvisor. In particular, it celebrates colorados extraordinarily diverse system of scenic byways, 25 routes that follow lesstraveled and more inspiring roads. This book is a guide to the open road, to the opportunities that beckon just around the bend, over the next hill, beyond the far horizon. In 1989, colorado began the scenic and historic byways program to promote our exceptional travel opportunities. National geographic books, washington, dc 2007, isbn 1426200560. Named for the amount of snow they receive in winter, the wet mountains presented a dreamlike blue hue which gave hope to early prospectors.
Visalia is the closest major city to sequoia and kings canyon national parks, home to the some of the largest vegetation on earth. Trough road is one of the best scenic drives in colorado. Colorado scenic byways comes as a slipcased set including two books. 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. 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. Colorados scenic byways by jim steinberg, hardcover barnes. Lupines lance towards the sky, opening their purple cups to the paintbrush clouds. State of colorado designated by the colorado scenic and historic byways commission of the colorado department of transportation for their scenic or historic values. I cannot wait to explore them taking the travel guide and atlas along with me. Where possible, we provide links to local tourism sites for more detailed information about travel amenities and features in each area. You can see a lot of oregon from behind the wheel of a car.
South central colorado nationally designated scenic byways the u. Best motorcycle rides in southwest colorado durango. Colorado scenic byways celebrates the siren call of the open road and. This two volume set includes the colorado scenic byways book and the road atlas and travel guide. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information.
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