15 Winding Routes That Let You Chase The Horizon Through The Rockies
Some roads feel bigger than the map, pulling you into adventure with every mile without even trying. Out in the Rockies are routes where the air gets lighter, the views get louder, and you start losing track of time. Let’s see how many you’ll want to chase.
San Juan Skyway, Colorado
Prepare yourself for one of America’s most jaw-dropping drives. The San Juan Skyway curls through ghost towns, alpine meadows, and sheer cliff faces that’ll have your heart pounding. Watch out for Million Dollar Highway’s hairpin turns as one slip of focus, and you’ll be sightseeing vertically!
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana
Imagine driving along the edge of a serrated mountain spine. Going-to-the-Sun Road slices clean across Glacier National Park’s rugged heart, where waterfalls crash beside you and snowdrifts sneak across summer lanes. Early morning light here turns granite cliffs into molten gold—blink, and you’ll miss it.
Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Climbing Trail Ridge Road feels like climbing a living staircase to the heavens. You traverse tundra fields where the trees surrender to the pure sky, and sweeping alpine panoramas stretch for miles. Dress warm even in July because fierce winds here have been known to rattle unprepared travelers.
Peak To Peak Scenic Byway, Colorado
Your journey along Peak to Peak Scenic Byway whisks you past historic mining towns, pine forests, and jagged summits so close they almost lean into your window. Stay alert as elk and moose enjoy this route, too, making it a photographer’s dream and a driver’s thrilling challenge.
Top Of The Rockies Byway, Colorado
The Top of the Rockies Byway swings you above 10,000 feet through the realm of giants such as Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, and here, you breathe thin, sparkling air. Along the way, abandoned railroads whisper forgotten tales, and sparkling alpine lakes flash like scattered diamonds under the sun.
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway, Colorado
Follow the Collegiate Peaks Byway for an education in raw majesty. This 57-mile stretch flanks fourteeners like Mount Columbia and Mount Yale, each peak carved against brilliant blue skies. Early morning drives reveal stunning contrasts—snowcapped summits against wildflower valleys—showcasing the Rockies’ most academic lineup.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway, Colorado
You reach the highest paved summit in North America as you drive the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Starting near Idaho Springs, this narrow road zigzags through tundra and wild herds. Bring layers, even in July, because the alpine chill bites hard once you cross 12,000 feet.
Beartooth Highway, Montana And Wyoming
Rising above 10,000 feet, Beartooth Highway ranks among the grandest drives. It meanders between glacial lakes and jagged mountain teeth. Weather shifts rapidly along this corridor, creating vivid contrasts—bright sun one mile, swirling snow the next—ensuring no two trips across Beartooth feel remotely the same.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta And British Columbia, Canada
The Icefields Parkway, which stretches 144 miles, showcases geological marvels at every turn. Glaciers pour between limestone giants; rivers carve swift passages toward distant oceans. Notable highlights include the Columbia Icefield and Peyto Lake, where water shimmers in brilliant cerulean hues under sharply etched mountains.
Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado
Rising from forested foothills to alpine tundra, this 19-mile toll road leads to the summit of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs. Completed in 1915, it winds through changing terrain, from wooded slopes to alpine heights, with sharp turns and sweeping views drawing visitors throughout the year.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, Wyoming
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming stretches 47 miles across the Absaroka Range and Clarks Fork Valley, tracing the 1877 route of the Nez Perce. Passing through Shoshone National Forest, it includes interpretive signs and stunning views of high peaks and historic landscapes.
Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, Colorado
Stretching over an immense plateau, the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway invites you into an alpine wonderland where 300 lakes shimmer among rolling meadows. As you rise through dense forests and sweeping views, each bend offers a new surprise. Keep your camera ready as elk herds often roam these serene expanses.
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, Colorado And Utah
Ancient secrets await you on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, a route alive with fossil beds, red rock canyons, and rugged desert beauty. Start at Dinosaur National Monument or swing through Vernal, as every mile uncovers another clue to a land once ruled by giants with thunderous footsteps.
Colorado River Headwaters Byway, Colorado
Trace the infant Colorado River as it bursts from snow-fed mountains along the Headwaters Byway. Forested valleys, charming towns like Grand Lake, and mirror-bright reservoirs line your path. In early summer, fields of lupine and paintbrush turn the land into a moving, colorful canvas you’ll never forget.
Sunshine Trail, Near Crested Butte, Colorado
Driving along the Sunshine Trail near Crested Butte hums with life. You’ll wander through open meadows splashed with wild lupines and golden banner blooms. Switchbacks climb gently into the high country—a setting that rewards patient explorers with sweeping mountain vistas stitched into the bright horizon.
