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Colorado’s Autumn Magic: Scenic Drives & Trails for Leaf Peeping

Leaf Peeping in Colorado

It’s leaf-peeping season again. As temperatures dip, aspens cloak the mountain slopes in brilliant gold, bringing “Colorful Colorado” to life. Each year’s display varies with spring, summer, and fall weather patterns, but the trees generally reach peak vibrancy for about five weeks between mid-September and mid-October.

Don’t miss these must-see destinations during your leaf-peeping tour of Colorado.

Scenic Gondola Rides

Take in stunning fall foliage from the gondolas at Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek. These scenic peaks offer breathtaking views, a splash of autumn colors, and access to nearby hiking and biking trails. You can even grab a bite and relax at the top of the mountain.

Horseback Tours

Vail Stables

Offers trail rides ranging from one to three hours through aspen groves, meadows, and forests, with spectacular mountain views and seasonal foliage.

Beaver Creek Stables

Features include one-hour and two-hour rides, picnic rides, sunset rides, and the full-day Beaver Lake adventure. Trails wind through aspen groves and ridgelines for stunning autumn panoramas.

Breckenridge Stables

Operates through early October. Enjoy a 90-minute ride along the Tenmile Range with river crossings, beaver ponds, and sweeping Continental Divide vistas.

Keystone Stables

Provides one-hour family trail rides and horse-drawn wagon options—scenic tours or dinner rides—through meadows and sagebrush terrain.

Leaf Peeping by Foot

Fall hiking amid aspens delivers unforgettable golden landscapes. Some top trails around Vail, Breckenridge & Summit County, and Keystone include:

• Eagle County: Berry Picker Trail; Gore Valley Trail; Buck Creek Trail; Beaver Lake Trail; Eagle’s Loop; Lost Lake Trail; Upper Piney River Falls; Booth Falls Trail.
• Summit County: Sawmill Reservoir Trail; Aspen Alley; Rainbow Lake Trail; Meadow Creek Trail; Angler Mountain; Prospect Hill.

Scenic Drives

Soak in brilliant fall foliage from your car with these iconic Colorado drives:

• Boreas Pass Road
• Hoosier Pass
• Vail Pass (I-70)
• Loveland Pass
• Highway 24 (Minturn to Leadville)
• Gore Creek Drive and Independence Pass
• Guanella Pass
• Cottonwood Pass
• Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain National Park)
• McClure Pass
• West Elk Loop

Biking in Vail

Explore Vail’s breathtaking scenery on two wheels. Whether you’re cruising riverside paths, pedaling through golden aspens, or tackling rugged singletrack, there’s a trail for every rider:

• Vail Mountain Biking
• Golden Gate
• Eagle’s Nest
• Radio Flyer
• Grand Traverse
• North Trail
• Vail Pass Bike Path
• Gore Creek Trail

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning a Colorado trip, check the 2025 Fall Foliage Prediction report here: 2025 Fall Foliage Prediction

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