Chasing Colorado’s Fall Views
5 Places to See Peak Fall Colors in Colorado’s Mountains
Get your leaf peeping on
The leaves are turning early this year, thanks to a hot, dry summer and cooler nights already arriving sooner than we expect. Colorado’s high country is already showing hints of fall and before you know it, this beautiful burst of color will be gone! If you’re planning a leaf peeping adventure in the Colorado mountains, here’s a guide to the best mountain towns to catch peak fall colors in 2025. We love cruising around road trip style and pulling over to the most scenic spots to snap photos.
Steamboat Springs & The Northern High Country
Peak Colors: Sept. 12-24
The northern mountains, including Steamboat Springs, Cameron Pass, and Rabbit Ears, are the first to show fall’s vibrant shades. Expect bright yellows and golds as aspens respond to drought stress and cooler nights by shutting down chlorophyll early.
Easy Scenic Spots:
Fish Creek Falls – A short walk from this popular parking area leads to stunning waterfalls framed by fall colors.
Rabbit Ears Pass Scenic Pullouts – Driving this awesome mountain pass will give you panoramic mountain views with the opportunity to pull over for scenic vistas and aspen groves.
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Peak Colors: Sept. 15 – 25
The iconic Rocky Mountain National Park area, plus surrounding towns along the Peak-to-Peak Highway, will be showing off early autumn beauty. This zone typically sees a mix of golden aspens and fiery maples in mid-September.
Easy Scenic Spots:
Trail Ridge Road Viewpoints – Many overlooks along this drive offer sweeping views without the hike. Bring layers, it can be chilly/windy up there.
Sprague Lake – Very accessible and mostly flat, perfect for reflections of colorful trees on the water or family portraits.
Pro tip: Rocky Mountain National Park now works on a timed entry permit system. Find out more and get your timed entry permit here.
Breckenridge, Frisco & Central Mountains
(Our Silverthorne basecamp is somewhere in this picture!)
Peak Colors: Sept. 18 – 28
Summit County and the Central Rockies are a fall lover’s playground. The combination of mountain elevations and early cold nights means the leaves may peak slightly ahead of schedule, making this a perfect choice for your fall photo or recreation missions.
Easy Scenic Spots:
Frisco Bay Marina – Flat, accessible walking areas with lake reflections and vistas of colorful trees in the distance.
Rainbow Lake Trail – The quintessential Summit County hike on a fairly tame path to a mountain lake, through aspen groves. Take the whole family!
Pro tips: Try rock climbing, mountain biking or rafting in the fall colors for unforgettable memories and new skills. After your adventure, stop by Back to Texas BBQ in the brand new Frisco Prospector Marketplace for some amazing BBQ!
Crested Butte & Telluride
Peak Colors: Sept. 20 – 30
The western and southwestern mountains, including Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Telluride, light up in late September. These areas usually hit peak colors a bit later, but the early season this year might make the reds, oranges, and golds pop sooner than expected.
Easy Scenic Spots:
Telluride Gondola Upper Station – Take the gondola up to Mountain Village for a breathtaking view of the valley and surrounding peaks in fall colors. The aspens in this zone are massive!
Crested Butte Scenic Overlook (West Maroon Road pullouts) – Provides easy access to vibrant aspens and panoramic views.
Pro tips: Stop by The Last Dollar Saloon in Telluride to wet your whistle after your leaf peeping adventure. Bear Creek Trail is a great place to hike and see aspens, vistas and amazing waterfalls.
Durango, Pagosa Springs & Southern San Juans
Peak Colors: Oct. 1 – 9
If you’re venturing out to Colorado’s southern mountains, the Four Corners region and San Juans around Durango and Pagosa Springs are your go-to spots for prime leaf peeping. Peak colors are expected to arrive here the first week of October.
Easy Scenic Spots:
Pagosa Springs Hot Springs Area – Walkable areas near the river with fall-colored trees and easy parking, plus access to downtown and of course, the incredible hot springs.
Scenic Overlook at Hermosa Creek – Quick pull-off along Highway 550 with views of the surrounding San Juan peaks.
Why Colors Are Arriving Early in 2025
Several factors are pushing the leaf changing season to move a little faster this year:
Drought Stress: Trees under drought conditions shut down chlorophyll sooner, revealing yellows and oranges that we like to see, just earlier than normal.
Cool Nights: Overnight temperatures in the 40s at higher elevations signal trees to transition faster.
Summer Heat: Higher-than-average summer temperatures this summer address stress, prompting an earlier color change.
Even with early colors, rain and moisture levels will determine how vibrant the fall foliage appears. While some areas may not be as intense as past years, the high country promises stunning views if you plan your trips carefully.
If you usually plan a late September leaf trip, consider moving it up a week or two this year to catch the colors at their peak. Got a taste for adventure with a side of leaf peeping? We can help with that.
