Western Colorado Scenic Drives
The cities and town of Western Colorado are connected by a network of Colorado Scenic Drives, so beauitful and extraordinary, that they have been officially designated National Scenic and Historic Byways.
National Scenic and Historic Byways are an exceptional traveling experience, a destination unto themselves. They a distinctive collection of the best highway in America base on their cultural, archaeological, historic, recreational, scenic and natural qualities.
West Elk Loop Byway
You can experience the wild beauty of Western Colorado Byways from the window of your car. These Colorado scenic rives are less traveled by and far from the four lanes. The spectacular mountain and desert scenery will ignite your imagination. So load up the cooler, grab you coat and hat, and hit the road.
An Avalanche Shed On The Million Dollar HighwayI have driven colorado scenic drives for many years, before they were officially designated as byways and I have never failed to find sometime new. I have never tired off them. You won’t either.
I will do a quick review of the Byways on this page. Later I will do an in-depth review of each.
The alpine Loop -is no ordinary back country road. It is 65 miles of backcountry road carve through the heart of the San Juan Mountain. You see wildflowers, waterfalls, old mines, mills and ghost towns all surrounded by beautiful San Juan scenery.
The Dinosaur DiamondThe Dinosaur Diamond- From Grand junction to Utah and back, you will investigate the foot prints and fossils of the dinosaurs and see a lot of beautiful open spaces.
The Flat Tops Trail - From Meeker to Yampa, this route is lined with lush forest as it follows the Meeker River to Trappers Lake and over the hill to Yampa.
Grand Mesa Byway- Drive over the largest flat top mountain in the world with lush pine forest and 300 alpine lakes and the famous Lands End.
The Silver Thread- You will follow the history of the silver mining from Blue Reservoir though Creede to South fork.
Anasazi History on The Trail of the ancients - If you have a bit of “Indiana Jones” in you, you will love the Trail of the ancients, the Archaeological heartland of America. San Juan Skyway- This is 236-mile sampler of the best of Southwestern Colorado and the San Juan Mountains.
Unaweep-Tabequche Byway- This is red sandstone country. You will drive in the deep canyons with towering monoliths and wide open skies West Elk Loop - You will tour the West Elk Mountains with designed wilderness areas on both side of the road, while visiting old Victorian mining towns. Return to Western Colorado Travel Guide |
