Aspen Viewing: Drives to See Fall Leaves in Colorado

From Colorado Tourism Office

The beautiful aspen is the quintessential Colorado tree. We've named towns, streets, dogs and our beer after this glorious tree. In the summer, the aspens provide shade for our state flower, the columbine; and when fall foliage comes on the scene, Coloradans rejoice as the aspens' gently tinkling leaves turn a vibrant shade of gold.

The month of September is the ideal time to witness a gilded aspen spectacle on a scenic drive in Colorado, but you have to time it right: The color lasts only about a week in most places. It's difficult to predict when exactly the leaves will turn in any given location. The best strategy is select travel dates in advance, but not destinations. Then go wherever the color is.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when viewing fall colors on a scenic drive. For the best photos, Do Colorado Right by choosing a spot in a safe, designated parking area to really bask in fall’s beauty.

Here are a few road-tripping routes, sorted by region, that have become fall-color pilgrimages for aspen lovers:

Read the Full Article