Colorado Scenic Drives

Routes worth building a day around.

56 verified drives across 19 regions — the Skyway, the high passes, and the backroads locals actually take.

56 verified drives19 Colorado regionsByways + passes + backroads

Use this directory to pick the route, not to check the road. Mountain passes close seasonally, and weather or fire can shut a byway with little notice.

Check before you drive. Current closures and chain laws live at CDOT road conditions. All 26 official Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways are represented here alongside our favorite unofficial routes. Routes verified July 2026.

Illustrated Colorado scenic drives map with fifty numbered routes organized by region

The Scenic Drives Map — fifty routes, numbered by region.Tap to open full size

Plan responsibly: byway status changes with weather, fire, and rockfall, and several routes have no services for 50+ miles. Fuel up.

Your Colorado adventure companion

Ask Abbi

Hi, I’m Abbi. Tell me what you would love to do and I’ll shape it around you — trails, drives, campgrounds, dog rules, and the places to stay and eat nearby.

Where to stay Where to eat Camping Save it to My Colorado

Abbi is an AI planning companion, so double-check anything perishable — hours, fees, closures, and dog rules — with the business or land manager before you go.

Explore Colorado — Before You Go

Adventure begins with preparation. Colorado weather, road conditions, trail access, wildfire restrictions, permits, and seasonal closures can change quickly. Information may also change after publication, so verify important details before every trip.

Before heading out

Verify current weather and local conditions.
Check road, trail, pass, and seasonal closures.
Confirm permits, reservations, fees, and timed-entry requirements.
Carry appropriate gear, navigation, food, water, and emergency supplies.
Share your itinerary when traveling into remote or backcountry areas.
Know your limits and turn around when conditions become unsafe.

Planning notice: Explore Colorado provides information for inspiration and trip planning only. It is not a substitute for official information, professional instruction, navigation tools, or personal judgment. Maps, routes, mileage, travel times, access details, and seasonal recommendations should not be used as the sole basis for navigation or safety decisions. Travelers are responsible for verifying current information and choosing activities appropriate for their experience, health, equipment, and the conditions encountered.