Colorado’s Best Roads

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There are few places in the country with the majesty and splendor of Colorado. 

Bisected by the great Rocky Mountains, Colorado offers residents a staggering variety of outdoor activities that range from soaring, alpine-style resorts, to mesa-filled skylines. Flowing in and around these incredible geographic and man-made wonders are roads that will make any driving enthusiast or nature enthusiast simply swoon. 

On one of our recent trips to the great state of Colorado, we scoped out some of the best roads in Colorado, and well, we just had to share them with you. 

So, without further ado, here are Colorado’s best roads. 

Long stretch of road heading towards the mountains

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Winding its way for 55 miles through the scenic majesty of the Rocky Mountains is the easily accessible, yet totally stunning Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. 

So-called because of its journey along the continental divide, the Peak to Peak scenic byway traces from Estes Park in the south to Central City in the South. Located in the Denver / Fort Collins metropolitan area, this incredibly scenic road takes drivers past everything from opulent Victorian towns to abandoned ghost towns, mills, and miles and miles of open countryside. The Peak to Peak scenic byway is the state’s first scenic byway, earning the designation in 1918.

Must-see stops along the way include antiquing and exploring the local arts and crafts scene in the old mining town of Central City, taking a hike in the towering canyons of Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and the whimsical Carousel of Happiness in Nederland. Horror movie buffs will enjoy a tour of the Stanley Hotel, whose interior was used extensively in ‘The Shining’. Estes Park alone is worth the journey, especially if you enjoy wildlife spotting or birding. The area’s Elk herds are often seen wandering through the quaint streets of Downtown. 

What makes this byway so unique is the accessibility of the route from major metropolitan areas like Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder. In just a few hours, you can feel like you’re right back in the 1860s, surveying the landscape and exploring locations to bed down and pan for gold. Epic locations like Rocky Mountain National park, home to the highest driveable road in the United States, are a short drive off Peak to Peak byway. 

For a real treat, travel the Peak to Peak route in the fall when Aspen trees show off their array of beautiful colors.

Stretch of road with tall trees in the mountains of Colorado

Highway 119 

Stretching from the bustling college town of Boulder to the quaint mountain town of Nederland 16 miles away, Highway 119 is a short but impactful stretch of road. 

Boulder is an incredible town with a thriving downtown that is bursting with shops, restaurants, and bars that are filled with everyone from college students to retired folks and younger families. The town has been awarded “Best Place To Live In America” for a number of reasons and it’s really not hard to see why. Once you’ve grabbed some breakfast or lunch in Boulder, head east on Highway 119 towards Nederland. 

Highway 119 may be a short run, but the intense elevation (heading up 8,288 feet in Nederland) and sweeping vistas of the Front Range of the Rockies make for one of the best short drives in Colorado. Highlights along the route include the must-see specter of the Boulder Falls or one of the area’s dozens and dozens of rock climbing spots like The Sport Park. Take a walk on one of the many trails near Barker Reservoir Recreation Area, or stop by the ethereal Carousel of Happiness in Nederland for a unique experience. 

Whether skiing at Eldora Mountain Resort in the winter or swimming in Boulder Creek in the summer, Highway 119 is a true gateway to adventure. 

Empty highway winding through a golden fall aspen forest in a Colorado mountain landscape scene

Highway 7

Lake Sonoma and the surrounding recreation area offer over 8000 acres of a pristine lake that’s ideal for bo

Located between the towns of Lyon and Estes Park, the epic majesty of Highway 7 has been recently reopened after suffering major damage due to floods in 2013. 

Start your journey in Lyons, a quaint mountain town with a busy downtown that’s packed with shops and local restaurants. Once you’ve got your fill, head out of Lyons on Highway 7 and past the majestic beauty of South Saint Vrain Canyon. If you’re feeling adventurous, stop here and take a walk or hike on one of the area’s many trails for beautiful views or everything from soaring mountain peaks to Elk and other wildlife. 

Keep on Highway 7 and drive past the ski town of Allenspark and stop for a viewing of the stunning Chapel On The Rock. This unique, still functioning church was built in 1934 and has been visited by millions, and has even been blessed by Pope John Paul II. From here you’ll join up with the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway and travel into the glorious town of Estes Park, which is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. 

In only a few hours, you can experience everything from a great meal to transformative nature and even a dash of divine architecture.

Foggy mountainous road

Colorado Was Made For Supercars

There are few states in the nation with the visual impact of Colorado and the absolute best way to experience the majestic sites of the Rocky Mountain state is by car. What’s the best kind of car, you may ask? Well, that would be a bonafide supercar! Now, we know that not every person who wants to experience the splendor of Colorado has a supercar waiting for them in their garage, and that’s exactly why we invented Open Road

Xtreme Xperience open road cars

We put you behind one of many supercars from brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette for a blast through the Colorado wilderness. These guided journeys will allow you to push supercars in their natural environment on roads full of twists and turns, along with a few glorious straightaways. If you’ve got even a drop of adrenaline coursing through your veins, this is an experience you will never forget. 

What are you waiting for? Come check out Open Road today.

Loved reading about the best roads in Colorado? Check out our other blogs on the best driving roads!

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