7 Colorado mountain towns known for aspen groves
If you're planning a fall adventure in Colorado, here are a few of our favorite mountain towns for exploring the colorful foliage.
While peak fall color viewing typically ranges from the middle of September to mid-October, it often varies across the state depending on a number of factors including temperature, moisture, weather, and elevation. These factors impact when the leaves start to change, the intensity of color, and how long the colors will last.
Editor's Note: Always check the weather forecast before setting out to explore. It's also important to note that parts of the high country are often inaccessible due to snow, even in the early fall months.
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The park is an ideal spot for viewing the spectacular transformation. Photo Credit: benedek (iStock).
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Traversing 33 miles from Paonia to Crested Butte, Kebler Pass is a popular scenic route for leaf-peepers. Photo Credit: beklaus (iStock).
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Take in the fall sights on a scenic cruise or explore them by foot with a variety of hiking trails found off Kebler Pass. Photo Credit: Brent_1 (iStock)
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This photo was taken early in the morning just as the alpenglow was hitting East Beckwith Mountain near Kebler Pass. Photo Credit: Michael Schmitz (Flickr).
Autumn in Telluride Colorado - Gondola
2. Telluride
If you're in search of beautiful fall foliage, then you'll want to head to the mountain town of Telluride. Photo Credit: Craig Zerbe (iStock).
Mountain Views Looking at Town of Telluride
When fall adventure comes calling, you'll find endless trails to explore in the former mining town nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains. Photo Credit: Adventure_Photo (iStock).
Downtown Telluride in the Spring
The picturesque mountain town is filled with a unique variety of shops and restaurants. Photo Credit: danicachang (iStock).
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See golden aspen trees on Maroon Creek Road near Aspen. Photo Credit: The Forest's Edge Photography - Diane Sandoval
Autumn in Telluride Colorado - Gondola
From the gondola, fall visitors can gaze out over the San Juan Mountains splashed in color. Photo Credit: Craig Zerbe (iStock).
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A view from the San Juan Skyway, Highway 145 near Telluride, Colorado, looking toward Lizard Head Pass. Photo Credit: CampPhoto (Istock).
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Camping comes with a colorful view at Last Dollar Road. The four-wheel drive road will not disappoint. Photo Credit: RichardSeeley (iStock).
Aspen, Colorado rocky mountains with houses buildings covered in snow after winter with yellow autumn trees and cityscape modern ski resort lodge townscape
1. Aspen
Welcome back the glorious colors of the fall in Aspen. The beautiful mountain town, named for its aspen groves, turns brilliant gold in the fall season. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock).
Autumn at Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells is famous for its fall colors. Surrounded by fall foliage, the Four Pass Loop traverses 26 miles over four mountain passes rising beautifully over 12,000 feet. Photo Credit: equigini (iStock).
Classic Maroon Bells Fall landscape scene
To explore the bells, visitors are required to make reservations. This applies to both the RFTA shuttle service and personal vehicles. Find more details here. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock).
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Cruise drive down highway 67 from Woodland Park to Cripple Creek for a leaf-peeping adventure. Photo Courtesy: VisitCOS
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Adventure awaits hikers and backpackers that are eager to explore the scenic loop with its radiant fall colors. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Breanna Sneeringer, from OutThere Colorado, gazes out at the colorful scenery from an aspen-lined trail in Crested Butte. Photo Courtesy: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Vibrant and beautiful, the changing fall landscape is guaranteed to leave you awe-struck. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Resting at an elevation of 8,909 feet, the high country of Crested Butte delivers spectacular fall scenery from the end of September to early October. Specific dates vary by year. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
Crested Butte Mountain Town from Above
3. Crested Butte
Crested Butte is one of the best small towns in the state to see fall colors. While the mountain town is so well-known for its display of wildflowers, often referred to as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” it also boasts some of most beautiful fall foliage. Photo Credit: PaytonVanGorp (iStock).
Autumn Sunrise Over Lake
Bear Lake can be found just steps away from the Bear Lake Trailhead parking lot, offering one of the easiest (and shortest ways) to experience the park's awe-inspiring fall foliage. Photo Credit: beklaus (iStock).
Fall Colors at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Longs Peak is the tallest peak located within Rocky Mountain National Park. Every summer, climbers flock to the park for a chance to reach the iconic 14,259-foot summit. Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock).
Town of Estes Park and Lake Estes in Colorado USA
4. Estes Park
Explore fall foliage in the mountain town of Estes Park. Photo Credit: benedek (iStock).
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There's also a chance you'll see moose during the fall season. Beyond the fall colors, Hoosier Pass is popular spot to find these majestic creatures. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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This small town starts bursting with an incredible array of colors in the fall. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock).
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Glorious golden aspens can be seen from the road of Rabbit Ears Pass. Photo Credit: Kelsey Brunner, The Gazette.
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Mountain town visitors seeking a rush of fall color surely won't be left disappointed in Steamboat Springs.
Photo Credit: bauhaus1000 (iStock).
Autumn and Rabbit Ears EntropyWorkshop
7. Steamboat Springs
Embark on a fall adventure in Steamboat Springs. From scenic drives to colorful hikes, there's endless beauty to explore this fall season in the "Boat." It's located in the upper valley of the Yampa River, just west of the Continental Divide and Rabbit Ears Pass.
Photo Credit: EntropyWorkshop (iStock).
Autumn Aspen on Pikes Peak
While the scenic drive a must for leaf-peepers, you can also explore the colors by foot. Nearby trailheads, including the Crags and Pancake Rocks, offer dreamy views of the changing colors backdropped by mountains and canyons. Photo Credit: Brent_1 (iStock).
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Located about an hour west of Colorado Springs, the downtown area of Cripple Creek is bustling from a number of iconic attractions including nine unique casinos, several restaurants and bars, souvenir shops, and hotels. Photo courtesy of The Gazette.
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6. Cripple Creek
Track down sprawling aspen groves in the historic gambling and mining town of Cripple Creek, also known as “The Greatest Gold Camp on Earth.” Photo Credit: RiverNorthPhotography (iStock).
Breckenridge in the Autumn
5. Breckenridge
Autumn is the perfect time of the year to escape to Breckenridge. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock).
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For an aspen-laced adventure, you'll want to take the scenic route up to the Continental Divide along Boreas Pass. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Feast your eyes on the mesmerizing fall scenery of Boreas Pass. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
Autumn at Breckenridge
The bright and beautiful changing aspen leaves look as if they've been dipped in honey. Photo Credit: SeanXu (iStock).
Sunset in Breckenridge
Photo Credit: Carrie Thompson (iStock).
Aspen Trees in Fall
Aspen trees turn bright gold for the fall season, often captured along Trail Ridge Road. Photo Credit: ThermalX (iStock).
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Find fall solitude touring the colors of Rocky Mountain National Park located just outside of the town of Estes Park. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
Autumn Sunrise Over Lake
Fall shades often range from gorgeous golden yellow to burgundy red and fiery orange. Photo Credit: beklaus (iStock).
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The fall season is typically your best chance for spotting wildlife, including elk and moose, in Estes Park. Photo Credit: Sportstock (iStock).
Elk in town
Take a break from adventuring to explore the downtown area of Estes Park. From art galleries to local boutiques and specialty gear shops, it's a shopper's dream street. Just don't be surprised if you spot elk wandering through the downtown, especially during the rut season. Photo Credit: ZE14361 (iStock).
Autumn Lake
With more than 350 miles of hiking trails, 147 alpine lakes, and 77 peaks rising higher than 12,000 feet, you'll find endless opportunities to adventure. Photo Credit: SeanXu (iStock).
Fall colors in Rocky Mountains
It's important to note that reservations and fees for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park may apply. For more details, please visit nps.gov/romo. Photo Credit: beklaus (iStock).
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A stunning fall morning captured from the inside of a tent with a rainbow of autumn colors. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Every fall, the aspens transform from apple green to burgundy red, fiery orange, and glistening gold. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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There's nothing more spectacular than camping among the glistening gold. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Explore the downtown area in Crested Butte for a unique variety of restaurants and bars, ice cream shops, and trendy gear and souvenir shops. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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The fall season is one of the most anticipated times of the year. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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Kebler Pass is lined with aspens, turning to gold every year. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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While exploring Kebler Pass, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Moose can often be found lurking around the swamps, lakes, and other small bodies of water. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado.
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