Fall Foliage Guide to Colorado's Leaf Peeping

“Leaf Peeping” is an annual activity in Colorado. Going out to see the aspen trees change from bright green to yellow and orange is something I plan trips for months ahead of time.

​I hope this guide helps you find your own incredible fall foliage spots across The Rocky Mountain State.

To find the most up-to-date conditions, I recommend checking Instagram locations, Snapchat Maps, and joining Facebook Groups for Fall foliage viewing or hiking (like The Women Who Hike Group!) This is how I find the best new places to peep leaves!

Kebler Pass, October 2nd, 2021.

Places mapped by Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

McClure & Kebler Passes - Aspen to Crested Butte

Hands down the most beautiful and colorful drive I have ever made in Colorado. The scenic road that connect the mountain towns of Aspen and Crested Butte is absolutely something that should not be missed. 

I made this drive on October 2nd, 2021 and it was the perfect day. McClure seemed to be more towards peak than Kebler, with Kebler still having giant groves of green.

My Kuku Camper on Kebler Pass.

See more from Colorado's oldest aspen grove, and what is debated to be one of the largest living organisms in the country - Kebler Pass, in my YouTube video below.

Use code TACOS5 for 5% off your own Kuku Camper Rental!

Telluride

There is so much to do and see in Telluride. I spent a short amount of time in this adorable mountain town the last few days of September 2021.

I took the free gondola ride from one side of the mountain to downtown, and drove as far as I could down Last Dollar Road before it became 4WD only.

I would highly recommending renting a jeep and spending lots of time on the trails around Telluride.

See more from both of my videos in Telluride on my YouTube channel!

Golden Gate Canyon ~45 minutes from Denver 

One of the most prime locations for Fall hiking is not far from Denver. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is northwest of the city tucked just into the foothills about an hour from the city.

Hiking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

There are miles of trails inside the park all lined with aspens. I hiked the Horseshoe Trail to Frazer Meadow with my dogs, and it was heavenly. 

I found the trail on the website AllTrails.com. Check out my completed hike here.

A cabin in Frazer Meadow.

The Abyss Trail ~ 1.5 hours from Denver 

In the southern side of The Mount Evans Wilderness is The Abyss Trail. This trail is not for new hikers and non-acclimated photographers. This is a roughly 8-mile round trip to get to the most colorful spots.

That being said, every step is worth it! The reward is so worth the difficulty. 

I took my dog up this hike one afternoon after work in late September. Watch how GORGEOUS it is in my video!

Kenosha Pass ~ 2 Hours from Denver

Kenosha Pass is one of the most popular places to see the Fall foliage. It is extremely accessible for all ages and hiking levels, and you can just drive over the pass and see a ton of Aspens from the car. Hikes range from 0.5 miles to 465 miles (if you want to complete the entire Colorado Trail). ​

Hiking Kenosha Pass.

 Read more from my 2020 hike around Kenosha Pass with my mom, here!

Mom hiking through Kenosha Pass.

September 27th, 2020.

Mom and I starting our hike!

Leadville Scenic Train ~2 1/2 hours from Denver 

Riding the Leadville scenic train ride.

Not far from Kenosha Pass is the historic town of Leadville. This former, booming mining town was almost voted the capital of Colorado!

​One place to learn all about the town, state, and mining operations (plus see the fall leaves) is on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. It’s a very easy and fun way to get a completely different view of the mountains. Book your own adventure for one of their open-air train cars on their website here.

Watch my video to see how beautiful the leaves were on September 28th, 2020. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park ~3 hours from Denver 

One place you might not think of around Falltime is The Great Sand Dunes National Park. There aren’t too many trees in the sand, but the ones around Medano Creek and the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range are stunning when they change, especially when you can get a bird’s eye view from the top of the dunes.

John standing at the base of the dunes before we hiked up!

Not to mention, the Fall is one of the coolest times to play among the potentially scorching-hot dunes. We obtained backcountry permits and camped INSIDE the sand dunes September 27th, 2019.  Read and see more from this wild trip here!

Checkout my other guides to Colorado's great places below:

• Where to Ski for Beginners
• Discover All Four of Colorado's National Parks
• Find Colorado's BEST Hot Springs