The Best Scenic Drives Near Denver
These scenic drives near Denver will give you a much-needed break from city life.
Denver is, of course, beautiful in its own way. But journeying out of the city along one of the many mountain or canyon corridors can prove to be a perfectly scenic way to spend a day. Gaze in awe at magnificent mountain peaks, sprawling vistas, or Colorado prairie land that stretches for miles while you cruise along with your favorite people or listen to your favorite tunes. Sure, you can opt for an I-70 or 285 drive, but why not switch things up with a route that may cost a few extra minutes but delivers some of the most impressive views you’ve seen? Here’s a list of the prettiest, most scenic drives from Denver. (Don’t forget your camera.)
South Elk Creek Road
Distance from Denver: 40 minutes
This unassuming turn off of 285 near between Conifer and Bailey is the kind of road you could drive by hundreds of times without noticing But then you’d be missing out on a twisty adventure through acres of trees, passing by the cabin that once held the iconic Bucksnort Saloon. Though the Bucksnort is, sadly, no longer in operation, just beyond it at the end of South Elk Creek is the small town of Pine. Take a right to get to Pine Valley Ranch Park, the perfect place to stretch your legs hiking Buck Gulch Trail or spend some time fishing (or ice skating in the winter) on Pine Lake.
Loveland Pass
Distance from Denver: 1 hour 30 minutes
This pass essentially connects Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin, and is the highest mountain pass in the state that stays open during the winter season, sitting at 11,990 feet in elevation. The road isn’t for the faint of heart, with a consistent 6.7% grade and hairpin turns for almost the whole way, but views of nearby mountain peaks, access to Mt. Sniktau trailheads, and even a few picturesque alpine lakes make the journey worth it.
Golden Gate Canyon and Arapaho Forest Scenic Drive
Distance from Denver: 30 minutes
If you’re looking for a leisurely drive on a paved road that doesn’t see much traffic—and is an alternate route from the Denver metro area into and past the Foothills—this drive will wind for just under 18 miles and into Golden Gate Canyon State Park. You can take it right up to Colorado Highway 119, which then directs either north to Nederland or south to Black Hawk. Or, loop around via Robinson Hill Road for a different perspective on your way back to Golden.
Distance from Denver: 30 minutes
While destinations farther west get a lot of attention, the foothills near Denver are packed with gems, and many of them are along this route. You could easily make a whole day trip out of this 40 mile loop that will bring you on through Golden, Morrison, Kittredge, and Evergreen. Some must dos along the way: explore Red Rocks, take in the views of the Front Range on Lookout Mountain, and get up close with fossils on Dinosaur Ridge. There are also tons of hiking trails along the way -- for a quick and satisfying break from the car, check out the Panorama Point Trail in Corwina Park near Kittredge. The 2.4 mile round trip takes about an hour and offers some seriously stunning mountain views when you reach the top.
Distance from Denver: 1 hour
Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, this route from Black Hawk north to Estes Park was established in 1918. The 55 miles of roadway winds through classic Rocky Mountain scenery and there are tons of gravel road pull offs along the way that lead to campgrounds, trailheads, lakes, and even a couple ghost towns (Hesse and Apex) making this a great route if you’ve got some extra time to explore. You’ll also go through the quirky town of Nederland, which isn’t known for ghosts but rather an actual frozen dead guy -- they even throw an annual festival in his honor.
Distance from Denver: 1 hour 30 minutes
You can summit one of the state’s most iconic 14ers on this roadway. Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs is literally the place that inspired the lyric “purple mountain majesties” in “America the Beautiful,” and yes, it really is pretty damn majestic. You do have to pay a fee to access the road ($15 per adult or $35 for a car with up to five people), but construction is finally done and the brand-new Summit Visitors Center is officially open to the public, so there’s no more need to shuttle your way to the very top. Round trip, the trek typically takes about two to four hours, depending how long you want to spend exploring the pull offs and taking in the views from the top. The road is open all year, but does close as needed depending on weather.
Skyline Drive
Distance from Denver: 2 hours
Yes, it’s a bit of a haul to get to this roadway in Cañon City from Denver, but it’s worth it for the thrill. Skyline Drive is a narrow, one way road that’s 2.6 miles long and runs along the top of a razorback ridge. Basically, it’s a straight drop on either side so you’ll definitely want to take it slow and stop to enjoy the views of the landscape below. The drive won’t take long, so you should also work in a stop at the nearby Royal Gorge where you can walk across the highest suspension bridge in America (yes, you should probably avoid this whole adventure if you’ve got a fear of heights).
Distance from Denver: 2 hours
Get a glimpse into the state’s mining past on this route that spans 131 total miles and tours former gold camps in Southern Colorado including Cripple Creek, Florence, McCourt, Adelaide, Wilbur, and Victor. The byway is made up of four roads, and each offers a unique view of the land. While High Park Road and Teller County Road 1 are entirely paved, Phantom Canyon Road and Shelf road are more rugged legs of the adventure -- four wheel drive is recommended, as is the ability to keep your eyes on the road as you drive along a canyon wall 200 feet above a stream bed below. Along with plenty of chances to learn more about Colorado’s mining history, you’ll also see some of the state’s most beautiful areas including Fourmile Canyon, the Beaver Creek Wilderness Study Area, and the Garden Park Dinosaur Fossil Area.
Distance from Denver: 1 hour 20 minutes
This scenic byway that rarely dips below 9,000 feet in elevation spans all the way to Aspen, but you can start your journey closer. The best route from Denver is to start at Copper Mountain. From there, you’ll head south on 91 over Fremont Pass with views of the 14,265 foot Quandary Peak in the distance. A bit further south, you’ll hit Leadville, the highest incorporated community in the country and home to Turquoise Lake, a favorite spot for fishing, boating, and camping. The byway is 75 miles in total, and if you opt to drive the entire route, you’ll cross the Continental Divide twice and see stunning views of six of the state’s 14ers.