11 Secret Road Trips Through Colorado That Only Locals Know About
Colorado’s famous highways get all the attention, but there’s a whole network of stunning backroads waiting to be discovered.
Locals have been quietly enjoying these scenic routes for years, finding mountain passes, riverside trails, and historic byways that most tourists never hear about.
If you’re ready to trade crowded interstates for open roads where elk might cross your path and wildflowers line the pavement, these hidden gems will change how you see the Centennial State.
1. Cache La Poudre–North Park Scenic Byway
Following the wild Cache la Poudre River for 101 miles, this journey takes you from Fort Collins into remote North Park basin.
Rushing whitewater accompanies you through narrow canyons where granite walls tower overhead.
Fishermen love this route because trout practically jump into your net along certain stretches.
Cameron Pass reaches 10,276 feet elevation, offering alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in summer.
Pack layers because temperatures drop significantly as you climb, and cell service disappears for long stretches.
2. Peak To Peak Scenic Byway
Stretching 55 miles between Estes Park and Black Hawk, this route winds through some of the most breathtaking mountain terrain you’ll ever witness.
Golden aspens explode with color every fall, creating tunnels of shimmering leaves overhead.
Small mountain towns like Nederland and Ward pop up along the way, offering cozy cafes and quirky shops.
Wildlife sightings happen frequently here—keep your camera ready for moose, elk, and bighorn sheep.
The drive takes about two hours without stops, but you’ll want to pull over constantly for photos and short hikes.
3. Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway
Just 40 miles west of Denver, this loop delivers big rewards without requiring a full day commitment.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre sits right along the route, where concerts echo off ancient sandstone formations.
Historic mining towns like Golden and Morrison offer craft breweries and local eateries worth exploring.
The views back toward Denver are spectacular, especially at sunset when the city lights begin twinkling.
Buffalo Bill’s grave on Lookout Mountain adds a dose of Wild West history to your adventure.
4. Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway
Out on Colorado’s eastern plains, this 125-mile loop reveals a completely different side of the state.
Rolling grasslands extend forever under enormous skies that make you feel wonderfully small.
Pawnee Buttes rise unexpectedly from the flatlands, offering short hikes with panoramic views.
Birders flock here during migration seasons when hundreds of species pass through.
Small farming communities dot the route, where friendly locals wave from tractors and roadside stands sell fresh produce in summer.
5. South Platte River Trail Scenic Byway
Running 50 miles from Denver southwest into the mountains, this route follows one of Colorado’s most important waterways.
Cottonwood trees provide shade along riverbanks where fly fishermen wade into cool currents.
The transition from urban to wilderness happens surprisingly fast as you leave the city behind.
Waterton Canyon marks the beginning of serious mountain terrain, where bighorn sheep often gather near the road.
Kayakers and rafters launch from various access points, making this a multi-activity adventure zone.
6. Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
Beginning where the mighty Colorado River starts as a tiny stream, this 69-mile route explores true wilderness territory.
Grand Lake and Lake Granby shimmer blue against pine-covered slopes, perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding.
The road climbs through Rocky Mountain National Park’s western entrance, where fewer tourists venture compared to the crowded eastern side.
Moose sightings happen regularly in marshy areas near the riverbanks.
Winter transforms this into a snowmobiling paradise, though summer reveals wildflower meadows worth the wait.
7. Unaweep–Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway
Cutting through Unaweep Canyon’s mysterious geology, this 133-mile journey showcases red rock formations that rival Utah’s famous parks.
Scientists still debate how this canyon formed since water flows away from the center in both directions.
Ancient Ute petroglyphs decorate cliff faces along certain stretches, telling stories from centuries past.
Gateway Canyons Resort offers luxury accommodations if you want to extend your exploration.
Spring brings desert wildflowers, while fall colors the canyon with golden cottonwoods against crimson sandstone.
8. Highway Of Legends Scenic & Historic Byway
Circling the dramatic Spanish Peaks for 82 miles, this route earned its name from countless local legends and ghost stories.
Mining ruins and abandoned settlements appear around every bend, remnants of Colorado’s silver boom days.
Cuchara Valley offers some of the state’s best fall colors when aspens turn mountainsides into golden tapestries.
Small Hispanic villages preserve centuries-old traditions, with authentic restaurants serving incredible green chile.
The peaks themselves rise like twin sentinels, visible from nearly every point along the drive.
9. Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway
Translating to “The Ancient Roads,” this 129-mile route traces paths used by Spanish explorers and Native Americans for thousands of years.
Southern Colorado’s high desert landscapes feel like stepping into another century entirely.
San Luis, Colorado’s oldest town, maintains its original plaza and acequias (irrigation ditches) from 1851.
Religious folk art and santos (carved saints) fill local galleries, reflecting deep Hispanic heritage.
Great Sand Dunes National Park lies nearby, where you can sandboard down North America’s tallest dunes.
10. Santa Fe Trail Scenic & Historic Byway
Following the famous trade route that connected Missouri to Santa Fe, this 188-mile byway crosses southeastern Colorado’s vast prairies.
Wagon ruts from the 1800s remain visible in certain protected areas, preserved by the dry climate.
Bent’s Old Fort has been reconstructed to look exactly as it did during the fur trade era, with costumed interpreters demonstrating frontier life.
Trinidad offers excellent museums documenting the trail’s impact on Western expansion.
Quiet solitude defines much of this drive, perfect for contemplating history.
11. Dinosaur Diamond Scenic & Historic Byway
Connecting Colorado and Utah through 512 miles of dinosaur country, the Colorado portion explores some of the world’s richest fossil beds.
Dinosaur National Monument lets you touch actual bones still embedded in ancient rock layers.
Remote canyons hide petroglyphs and pictographs created by Fremont people over 1,000 years ago.
The landscape shifts from high desert to river valleys carved by the Green and Yampa Rivers.
Paleontology enthusiasts consider this route essential, though anyone fascinated by Earth’s deep history will love it.