TWO HAPPY CAMPERS

Stats:

• Start/End: Twin Lakes to Aspen via Highway 82
• Distance: 32 miles
• Highest Point: 12,095’
• When It’s Open: Mid-May through mid-October. When the pass officially opens and closes for the season is weather-dependent.
• Rig Friendliness: Vehicles over 35’ in length are prohibited due to steep inclines and tight curves.
• Note: This is a narrow highway with steep drop-offs and no shoulder. It’s a stunning drive but not for the faint of heart.

Why We Love It:

Independence Pass is an iconic Colorado drive. For us, it’s a must-do in the fall when the aspens are changing color. The steep elevation change creates dramatic scenery that starts with pines, aspens, and crystal-clear streams and leads to unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains in every direction.

Where to Stop:

• In Twin Lakes, the Twin Lakes General Store is a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs, snacks, and outdoor gear.
• Be sure to stop at the top of the pass to take in the panoramic views.
• The hike to Independence Lake is a great reason to park and stretch your legs.
• In Aspen, White House Tavern is home to the best Crispy Chicken Sandwich we’ve ever had.

Camping near Independence Pass:

• White Star Campground (East Side/Twin Lakes)
• Lakeview Campground (East Side/Twin Lakes)
• Twin Peaks Campground (East Side/Twin Lakes)
• Parry Peak Campground (East Side/Twin Lakes)
• Lost Man Campground (West Side/Aspen)
• Weller Campground (West Side/Aspen)
• Difficult Campground (West Side/Aspen)

Stats

• Start/End: Estes Park to Grand Lake via Highway 34
• Distance: 48 miles
• Highest Point: 12,035’
• When It’s Open: Mid-May through mid-October. Weather dictates when Trail Ridge Road will open and close for the season.
• Rig Friendliness: There are no strict vehicle restrictions on Trail Ridge Road; however, vehicles over 40’ in length will be difficult to maneuver around the tight switchbacks leading to the top. Parking spots at overlooks are a hot commodity and often do not offer parking for large RVs.
• Fees & Reservations: Trail Ridge Road is located in Rocky Mountain National Park. Reservations and an entry fee are required to enter the park. The vehicle fee in 2026 is $30 for a one-day pass or $35 for a seven-day pass. Reservations are available at recreation.gov.

Why We Love It:

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. When you reach the highest point, above 12,000′, you feel like you’re driving on top of the world. It’s hard not to be in awe when driving so high in elevation that trees are no longer able to grow (what is referred to as “above treeline”). A bonus of driving through the national park is the high likelihood of spotting elk, moose, and maybe even a black bear along the way.

Where to Stop:

There are many scenic pull-offs and trailheads along this route. While this drive can be completed in a couple of hours, we recommend spending at least half a day taking it slow and enjoying some of the trails along the way.

Stats:

• Start/End: Dotsero to Glenwood Springs via Interstate 70
• Distance: 18 miles
• Elevation: 5,800’
• When It’s Open: Year-round.
• Rig Friendliness: Open to all rigs.

Why We Love It:

This is the only drive on this list that is on an interstate, but it still easily qualifies as one of Colorado’s most scenic stretches of highway. It is an engineering feat that a four-lane divided highway was even able to be built inside this wildly rugged and deep canyon. We’ve driven through Glenwood Canyon countless times, and its beauty never gets old.

Where to Stop:

• The Grizzly Creek rest area is arguably one of the most scenic interstate rest areas in the country.
• Want to go for a hike in Glenwood Canyon? Check out the Grizzly Creek trail or Hanging Lake trail. (Due to the fragile ecosystem, reservations are required to hike to Hanging Lake, and vehicles over 25’ in length are prohibited in the Hanging Lake trailhead parking lot).
• For a beautiful and easy bike ride through the canyon, park here (or at one of the rest areas) and enjoy the paved path that hugs the edge of the Colorado River.

Camping in Glenwood Canyon:

There are no campgrounds along this route. Nearby dispersed camping can be found on Coffee Pot Road (Forest Service Road 600), a rugged dirt road that climbs high into White River National Forest. The nearest RV park is Riverdance RV Resort between Dotsero and Gypsum.

Stats:

• Start/End: Either Idaho Springs or Evergreen
• Distance: 28 miles from Idaho Springs to the summit or 34 miles from Evergreen to the summit
• Highest Point: 14,130’
• When It’s Open: Late May to October (opening and closing dates are weather-dependent).
• Rig Friendliness: Vehicles over 30’ in length are prohibited due to the steep grades and sharp curves.
• Fees & Reservations: Reservations are required for vehicle entry at Mount Blue Sky. The fee as of 2026 is $15.00 per vehicle.

Why We Love It:

Not everyone is up for hiking to the top of a 14er (a mountain that rises above 14,000’). For those who would rather drive, Colorado offers the only two roads in the United States that travel this high in the sky. Mount Blue Sky is known for being the highest paved road in the country, and for that alone, it is an incredible experience.

Where to Stop:

Summit Lake is a worthwhile stop for a picnic or hike.

Camping near Mount Blue Sky:

• Echo Lake Campground
• West Chicago Creek Campground

Stats:

• Start/End: Loveland Ski Area to Dillon via Highway 6
• Distance: 19 miles
• Highest Point: 11,990’
• When It’s Open: Year-round (adverse winter weather conditions can cause temporary closures).
• Rig Friendliness: There are no length restrictions on Loveland Pass. However, it is a steep climb, so make sure your engine and brakes are up for the task.

Why We Love It:

Loveland Pass is both breathtaking and accessible. With its location right off of I-70, we will often opt for this scenic detour rather than sticking to the interstate. It’s well worth the extra time.

Where to Stop:

• Stop at the top of the pass to take in the scenery. Trails begin at the parking area on both sides of the road. We prefer the trail on the west side for a slightly less steep ascent.
• End the day with pizza and beer at Cove & Craft (aka Last Chance Pizza) in Summit Cove near Lake Dillon.

Campgrounds Near Loveland Pass:

There are six National Forest campgrounds lining Lake Dillon:

• Heaton Bay
• Lowry
• Peak One
• Pine Cove
• Prospector
• Windy Point (group campground)

Stats:

• Start/End: Carbondale to Paonia via Highway 133
• Distance: 58 miles
• Highest Point: 8,755’
• When It’s Open: Year-round.
• Rig Friendliness: There are no vehicle restrictions on McClure Pass.

Why We Love It:

This is a stunning drive any time of year, but it especially shines when the aspens are changing color in late September or early October. Views from the summit are worth the drive alone, but the small towns along the way add to the charm of this scenic drive in western Colorado.

Where to Stop:

• The small towns of Redstone, Marble, and Paonia are all charming in their own right and worth stopping to stroll around.
• We always stop at Big B’s Delicious Orchards in Paonia for lunch and fresh produce from the farm.

Camping near McClure Pass:

• Avalanche Campground
• Big B’s Delicious Orchards
• Bogan Flats Campground
• Carbondale / Crystal River KOA Holiday
• Hawsapple Campground (Paonia State Park)
• Kebler Corner
• McClure Campground
• Mountainside RV Park
• North Fork Tipi Haven & Camping
• Redstone Campground
• Spruce Campground (Paonia State Park)

Stats:

• Start/End: Gateway to Naturita
• Distance: 51 miles
• Elevation: 4,500’ – 5,500’
• When It’s Open: Year-round.
• Rig Friendliness: Open to all rigs. This is a remote area of the state; come prepared with a full tank of gas.

Why We Love It:

This drive offers the kind of red rock scenery you’re more likely to find in popular destinations around Utah, but without the crowds. This is a fun alternative route to take between Colorado and Utah if you like to prioritize the journey over the destination.

Camping Along This Route:

This route travels through BLM land and offers many dispersed camping opportunities. Look to the iOverlander app for exact locations.

Stats:

• Start/End: Buena Vista
• Distance: 15 miles one way
• Highest Point: 12,126’
• When It’s Open: Late May to October (opening and closing dates are weather-dependent).
• Rig Friendliness: Open to all rigs.

Why We Love It:

From Buena Vista, this is an easy (although steep) drive to reach the million-dollar views that exist above treeline. When in BV, we love taking a sunset drive to the top of the pass.

Where to Stop:

• The Colorado Trail bisects the top of Cottonwood Pass, meaning you can hike for over a hundred miles in either direction. Stop at the summit to take in the view and hike for a mile or ten—whatever your heart desires.
• Stop at Sorelle’s Delicatessen in Buena Vista and pick up sub sandwiches to enjoy at the top of the pass, or wrap up the day with some of the best pizza in Colorado at Crave in downtown BV.

Camping Near Cottonwood Pass:

• Collegiate Peaks Campground
• Cottonwood Lake Campground
• Continue west of the pass for some awesome dispersed campsites along Taylor Creek.

Stats:

• Start/End: Breckenridge or Fairplay
• Distance: Approximately 55 miles
• Highest Point: 11,542’
• When It’s Open: Boreas Pass is open late May through October. Hoosier Pass is open year-round but is subject to temporary closures due to adverse weather conditions.
• Rig Friendliness: The Boreas Pass segment of this drive is not suitable for large RVs. This segment includes 22 miles of dirt road that has steep drop-offs and no shoulder in some places. 4WD is not required, but it is bumpy and slow-going at times. The Hoosier Pass segment of this drive is open to all vehicles.
• Note: Boreas Pass is popular for hikers, mountain bikers, and campers. Plan on taking this drive slowly (especially on the weekends) for the safety of all those out recreating on this road.

Why We Love It:

This drive passes through a variety of beautiful alpine environments, from aspen groves and tundra to unobstructed views of 14,000’ peaks.

Where to Stop:

The towns of Como, Fairplay, and Alma are all unique and historic towns worth walking around. Stop at the top of each pass for photo ops.

Camping Along This Route:

There are 23 free designated campsites along Boreas Pass road with no services. Middlefork RV Park in Fairplay is a convenient basecamp for exploring the area.

Stats:

• Start/End: This loop includes the popular destinations of Ridgway, Telluride, Dolores, Durango, Silverton, and Ouray.
• Distance: 236 miles
• Highest Point: 11,018’
• When It’s Open: Open year-round, but subject to temporary closures due to adverse weather conditions.
• Rig Friendliness: Open to all rigs, but it can be a harrowing experience depending on the size of your rig and the strength of your nerves. Mountain terrain includes steep grades, hairpin turns, and sheer drop-offs without guardrails.

Why We Love It:

This epic loop travels through the heart of the San Juan Mountains. It’s hard to rank Colorado’s beauty, but the San Juans certainly have a majesty all their own. On this drive, you’ll experience it all: breathtaking vistas, unique towns, abundant recreation opportunities, and wildlife sightings.

Where to Stop:

While this drive can be accomplished in a day, it’s best savored over the course of a few days so that you can take the time to enjoy the abundance of wild places as well as all the unique towns along the way. Dolores and Silverton are our favorites for shopping and dining.

Campgrounds Along This Route:

(Note: Some campgrounds are only open seasonally, typically June–September)

• Amphitheater Campground
• Haviland Lake Campground
• Junction Creek Campground
• Molas Lake Park & Campground
• Ouray KOA Holiday
• Priest Gulch Campground & RV
• South Mineral Campground
• West Dolores Campground

Stats:

• Start/End: Grand Junction
• The route: I-70 to Highway 65 to Forest Service Road 100 to Highway 50
• Distance: 88 miles
• Highest Point: 10,500’
• When It’s Open: Open May through November (the opening and closing dates are weather-dependent).
• Rig Friendliness: Several miles of this route are unpaved (often with deep potholes). The descent from Land’s End Observatory includes several hairpin turns not suitable for large rigs.

Why We Love It:

Grand Mesa is the world’s largest flat-top mountain. Featuring hundreds of small alpine lakes, Grand Mesa is unlike any other mountain in Colorado. Thanks to several dense aspen groves, this is one of our favorite drives for fall color in western Colorado.

Where to Stop:

• On the way up, stop at Mesa Bloom Market in the small town of Mesa for snacks (the homemade salsa sold at the front of the store is a must-buy).
• Stop for a picnic at one of the pull-offs near the Land’s End Observatory and take in the views of the Grand Valley 6,000’ below.
• Wrap up the day in downtown Grand Junction with decadent, one-of-a-kind tacos from Taco Party or pizza from Pablo’s.

Places to camp on Grand Mesa:

• Cobbett Campground
• Island Lake Campground
• Jumbo Campground
• Little Bear Campground
• Spruce Grove Campground
• Free dispersed camping is also available at various locations throughout the Grand Mesa National Forest.

Pro Tips Before You Go

• Campground Reservations: Most campgrounds require reservations, which can be made on recreation.gov.
• Beat the Crowds: Sunset and sunrise not only offer the best light for photographs, but they are also the times of day when these popular locales are the least crowded.
• Mountain Driving: These are almost all high-elevation drives with steep climbs and descents. Shift down on the descents to prevent overheating your brakes.
• Fall Color: Some of these drives are our favorites for enjoying Colorado’s spectacular fall color. Leaf-peeping season in the Colorado Rockies usually starts around mid-September and ends mid-to-early October.
• Weather Warnings: Most of these scenic drives include dramatic changes in elevation, meaning the temperature can vary greatly over the course of just a few miles. Thunderstorms, hail, and snow are always a possibility. Pack appropriate gear so that you can enjoy your surroundings safely. Refrain from hiking if a thunderstorm is present; lightning strikes are a real possibility on mountaintops.
• Seasonal Closures: Check cotrip.org to see if your preferred drive is open for the season.