Fall Colors Near Denver: 13 Of The Best Spots Recommended By A Local

Colorado puts on an incredible show each fall, when huge groves of aspen trees turn bright yellow across the mountains.

I’ve lived in Denver most of my adult life, and getting into the mountains to see the fall colors is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.

While you won’t find any of Colorado’s famous aspen groves within Denver itself, there are plenty of great places to see fall colors within about two hours of the city. Some require a hike, while others can be enjoyed along scenic drives or even from a train.

Below are some of my favorite places to see fall colors near Denver, plus a few things to know about timing and weather before you go.

When Are Peak Fall Colors In Colorado?

Peak fall colors in Colorado vary each year depending on weather, elevation, and location.

For the mountain areas on this list though, mid September through early October is generally the best time to see the aspens. Higher elevations tend to change first, with lower elevations following shortly after.

The exact timing is different every year, though, and sometimes even nearby areas peak at different times. I always recommend checking current conditions before heading out rather than planning around one specific date.

Local news stations are usually a great resource for fall color updates, and the Fall Foliage Prediction Map Colorado is also helpful for getting a general idea of timing by region.

Also keep in mind, fall colors in Denver itself arrive later than the mountain aspens, typically sometime in October.

How Long Do Fall Colors Last In Colorado?

Unfortunately, Colorado’s peak fall colors can be pretty short-lived.

Strong winds or an early snowstorm can knock leaves from the trees shortly after they change. Other years, conditions cooperate and the colors hang on for much longer.

This is part of why fall color predictions are never a guarantee. You can plan around the typical peak window, but seeing the aspens at their absolute best always requires a little bit of luck.

Weather In The Mountains During Fall

One last thing to keep in mind before heading out: weather in the mountains is very different from Denver.

Temperatures are often much cooler at higher elevations, and snow is absolutely possible during fall. Be sure to check the forecast for your specific destination before leaving and bring layers, even if Denver is warm and sunny.

Weather can also affect mountain roads and passes, possibly causing temporary closures or difficult driving conditions. Check CDOT for current road conditions before heading out, especially if snow is in the forecast.

Best Places To See Fall Colors Near Denver

Guanella Pass

Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Guanella Pass is one of the most popular spots for fall colors near Denver.

The 22-mile scenic byway connects Georgetown and Grant, winding through the mountains and past large groves of aspens along the way. The road is paved and, for the most part, easy to drive, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views.

This is an especially good option if you want to see a lot of fall color without hiking.

The big downside is crowds. Guanella Pass has become extremely busy during peak fall color weekends, and parking has become a real issue in recent years. Pay close attention to no-parking signs and only park where it’s allowed — cars parked illegally along the pass can be ticketed or towed.

If at all possible, visit on a weekday. If you have to go on a weekend, arrive very early in the morning. This is one place where I really wouldn’t underestimate the fall crowds.

Go For A Scenic Train Ride

Georgetown Loop Train Distance from Denver: 55 minutes
Leadville Railroad Distance from Denver: 2 hours

If you want to see the fall colors without hiking or spending the whole day driving, there are two scenic train rides within about two hours of Denver that are especially beautiful in fall.

The Georgetown Loop Railroad, about 55 minutes from Denver, is the closer option. This historic narrow-gauge railroad travels between Georgetown and Silver Plume, passing through mountain scenery and bright yellow aspen groves along the way. The ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it an easy addition to a fall day trip around Georgetown.

I recommend booking an earlier time slot if possible, especially on weekends. Fall is an extremely popular time to ride the train and tickets can sell out, so I’d also reserve in advance rather than waiting until the day of your visit.

The Leadville Railroad, just about two hours from Denver, is another fantastic option. The roughly 2.5-hour ride travels through the mountains above Leadville, including stretches directly through large aspen groves, so you get plenty of fall color throughout the ride.

Leadville works especially well if you want to make a full day out of the trip. The town itself is worth exploring, and you’ll get plenty of mountain scenery on the drive from Denver too. It’s a longer day than Georgetown, but one perk of going a little farther is fewer fall crowds — the Georgetown area can get extremely busy during peak color.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular fall destinations near Denver. The park has beautiful aspen groves, with bright yellow leaves mixed among the dark green pines and mountain scenery.

For fall colors, focus on the park’s lower elevations where the aspens grow. Sprague Lake is an easy option, or simply drive through the park and stop at overlooks and trails as you go. Trail Ridge Road can also be beautiful this time of year, although the highest elevations are above tree line, so this drive is more about the mountain views than fall foliage.

Fall also overlaps with the elk rut, which is one of my favorite things about visiting RMNP this time of year. You’ll often hear elk bugling and see large groups gathering around the park, especially around the meadows at lower elevations. Give them plenty of space — bull elk can be particularly aggressive during the rut.

Keep in mind, Rocky Mountain National Park is very busy in fall. Timed-entry reservations are required through mid-October and need to be booked in advance. Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are also weather dependent in fall and can close as snow begins arriving at higher elevations.

For more planning information, including additional things to do, head over to my Fall In Rocky Mountain National Park guide.

Staunton State Park

Distance from Denver: 50 minutes

Staunton State Park is one of the top options near Denver if you want to hike among the fall colors. The park has nearly 30 miles of trails through forests, meadows, and rocky mountain scenery, with plenty of aspens mixed throughout.

There are trails here for a wide range of abilities. Davis Ponds Loop is an easy option at about 2 miles, while Staunton Ranch Trail is a good choice if you want to go farther. You can also connect several of the park’s trails to create a longer hike depending on how much time you have.

If you’re up for a big hike, Elk Falls is one of the park’s highlights, but don’t underestimate this one — the round trip hike is roughly 12 miles. You definitely don’t need to hike that far to enjoy the fall colors at Staunton though.

A Colorado state parks pass or daily vehicle pass is required, and I’d arrive early on peak fall weekends. Staunton gets busy this time of year, especially when the aspens are at their best.

Kenosha Pass 

Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Kenosha Pass is one of the most popular places to see fall colors near Denver, thanks to the huge aspen groves surrounding the pass. It’s also probably my personal favorite spot on this list.

You can see plenty of fall color right from the road, but I think it’s worth getting out for a hike. The Colorado Trail crosses Kenosha Pass and takes you directly through the aspens, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains along the way.

About a mile from the trailhead, you’ll reach a large aspen grove where many people turn around. If you’re able, I highly recommend continuing farther. The trail passes through additional aspen groves, and I’ve found that the crowds thin out considerably once you’re beyond that first popular section.

Kenosha Pass gets extremely crowded during peak fall weekends, and parking can be difficult. If possible, visit on a weekday. Otherwise, arrive very early and be prepared for a lot of other leaf peepers — this is definitely not one of Denver’s secret fall color spots.

Cripple Creek

Distance from Denver: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Cripple Creek is a little farther from Denver than most places on this list, but it’s a great option if you want to combine fall colors with a full day trip. The historic mining town sits southwest of Colorado Springs and is surrounded by hillsides covered in aspens.

One of the best ways to see the fall colors is simply to drive around the area. Cripple Creek sits along the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway, and there are plenty of mountain roads, overlooks, and hiking trails nearby where you can get out and explore.

The town itself also gives you plenty to do between leaf peeping. Cripple Creek has a long mining history, historic buildings and mining sites, casinos, and the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Distance from Denver: 45 minutes

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is one of the best places to Denver for really good mountain fall colors. The park has large pockets of aspens throughout, along with mountain views, meadows, and dense evergreen forest.

There are more than 35 miles of hiking trails, so this is another great option if you want to get out and walk among the aspens. Raccoon Trail is one of the most popular choices for fall colors, and Horseshoe Trail is another good option. You can also see quite a bit from the park’s roads and overlooks if you don’t want to hike.

The big thing to know is that Golden Gate Canyon gets very busy during peak fall weekends. Its proximity to Denver makes it an obvious choice for leaf peeping, so arrive early if you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday. You’ll also need a Colorado state parks pass or daily vehicle pass to enter.

If you have some extra time afterward, stop in downtown Golden on your way back to Denver. There are lots of restaurants, breweries, shops, and walking paths along Clear Creek, making it an easy place to grab lunch or dinner after a morning in the park.

For more state parks near the city, check out my guide to the Best State Parks Near Denver.

Devil’s Head Lookout Tower

Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 20 minutes

One of my favorite fall hikes near Denver is Devil’s Head Lookout Tower in Pike National Forest.

The roughly 3-mile trail passes through a beautiful aspen grove early in the hike, which will be bright yellow if you time your visit right. From there, the trail climbs through the forest before reaching the base of the historic Devil’s Head Lookout, one of the few remaining fire lookout towers in Colorado.

If the lookout is open and staffed, you can climb the final set of stairs to the tower for incredible 360-degree views over Pike National Forest and the surrounding Front Range. Even without peak fall colors, the views from the top make this hike worth doing.

Don’t let the relatively short distance fool you though. The hike gains more than 800 feet in elevation, plus you’ll have the final staircase to tackle if you go up to the lookout, so I’d consider this a moderate hike.

This is another very popular fall hike near Denver, and the parking area can fill up quickly. Arrive early, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend during peak fall colors.

Vail, Colorado

Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Vail is gorgeous in fall. The ski town sits in a mountain valley surrounded by large aspen groves, so you’ll see bright yellow fall colors throughout town and across the surrounding mountainsides.

There are lots of ways to enjoy the colors while you’re here. Go for a hike, bike or walk along the Gore Creek Path, or simply wander through Vail Village and Lionshead. Scenic gondola rides may also be available depending on when you visit, but operating dates are limited during the fall shoulder season, so check the schedule ahead of time.

Vail is also a good option if you want more to do than just leaf peeping. There are tons of restaurants and shops, plus fall events throughout the season, making it easy to spend a full day here.

For more ideas and planning information, check out my Top Things To Do In Vail In Fall.

Peak To Peak Highway

Distance from Denver: 1+ hour

Peak to Peak Highway is a great scenic drive near Denver, and it’s especially beautiful in fall. The 55-mile route runs between Black Hawk and Estes Park, roughly parallel to the Continental Divide, with mountain views and plenty of aspens along the way.

The drive takes about 1.5 hours without stops, but I’d give yourself at least a few hours. There are lots of places to pull over for views, plus small mountain towns and hiking trails that are worth stopping for along the way.

Nederland makes an especially good stop for lunch or a walk around town, and you’ll also pass through the small community of Allenspark as you get closer to Estes Park. Central City is a worthwhile detour near the southern end of the route if you have extra time.

You can drive Peak to Peak in either direction, but I especially like ending in Estes Park. From there, you can explore town, continue into Rocky Mountain National Park, or grab dinner before heading back to Denver.

Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass

Distance from Denver: 45 minutes

Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass, formerly known as Squaw Pass, is one of the most popular scenic drives for fall colors near Denver.

The roughly 30-mile route follows Colorado Highway 103 through the mountains between the Evergreen area and Idaho Springs, passing large groves of aspens along the way. There are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the scenery, and you can also stop at Echo Lake or add a hike if you want to spend more time in the area.

This is an easy drive to turn into a half-day or full-day outing. You can start or end in Evergreen or Idaho Springs, both of which have plenty of restaurants and other things to do.

Because the drive is so close to Denver, it can get very crowded during peak fall colors. If possible, visit during the week. Otherwise, get an early start on weekends to avoid the worst of the traffic and crowds.

Boulder

Distance from Denver: 30 minutes

Boulder is one of my favorite places for fall colors close to Denver, but the timing here is a little different from most of the mountain destinations on this list.

The higher elevation areas around Boulder and the nearby foothills can start changing around late September and early October. In town, however, fall colors generally arrive later in October. Instead of huge groves of yellow aspens, you’ll find a mix of deciduous trees turning yellow, orange, and red throughout the city — the in-city fall colors in Boulder can be really beautiful.

For an easy day, walk around the historic neighborhoods near downtown or along Boulder Creek Path. Chautauqua is another favorite, where you can combine fall colors with views of the Flatirons, or head up Flagstaff Road for hiking and overlooks in the foothills.

Boulder is especially worth keeping in mind if you’ve missed peak aspen season in the mountains. There’s often still plenty of fall color closer to the Front Range after the higher elevations have finished for the year.

Evergreen

Distance from Denver: 40 minutes

Evergreen is another easy option if you want to see fall colors without driving far into the mountains. The town sits in the foothills west of Denver, with a mix of aspens and other trees changing throughout the surrounding hillsides.

Evergreen Lake is an easy place to start. You can walk around the lake, then spend some time exploring downtown Evergreen or grab lunch while you’re there.

There are also plenty of hiking trails nearby if you want to make more of a day out of it. Alderfer/Three Sisters Park is one of my favorite options in the area, with miles of trails through pine and aspen forest and plenty of mountain scenery.

Evergreen also works well as part of a longer fall drive. Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass begins nearby, so you can easily combine the two if you want to spend most of the day leaf peeping.

Fall Foliage In Downtown Denver

You don’t necessarily need to leave Denver to see great fall colors.

The foliage in the city is different from the huge aspen groves you’ll find in the mountains, but Denver has tons of mature trees that turn shades of yellow, orange, and red throughout fall.

The biggest difference is timing. While the mountain aspens generally peak from mid-September through early October, fall colors in Denver arrive later. October is usually the best month, although exact timing varies from year to year and some color can hang on into early November.

Some of my favorite places to see fall colors around Denver include:

• City Park
• Washington Park
• Cheesman Park
• Capitol Hill
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Cherry Creek Trail

You can also find beautiful fall colors just walking through some of Denver’s older neighborhoods, where mature trees line many of the residential streets.

More Spots To See Fall Foliage In Colorado

If you have more than a day or two, there are some incredible places to see fall foliage throughout Colorado.

Most of these destinations are several hours from Denver, so they’re better suited to a weekend trip or longer Colorado fall road trip. Some of my favorites include:

• Crested Butte and Kebler Pass
• Aspen and the Maroon Bells
• Independence Pass and Twin Lakes
• Telluride
• Steamboat Springs
• Buena Vista and Cottonwood Pass
• Grand Mesa
• Cañon City and the Gold Belt Tour
• St. Elmo Ghost Town
• Crystal Mill

And these are just a handful of options. I’ve put together a much more extensive guide at Best Places To Visit In Fall In Colorado.

Whether you want to hike through the aspens, take a scenic drive, or make a full day trip out of it, there are plenty of spots to see fall colors within about two hours of the city. Just remember that peak colors are often short lived, so check current conditions before heading out!

Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Denver and Colorado guides.