Foliage map › Scenic drives › Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway fall foliage drive
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway runs about 55 miles along the foot of the Front Range from Estes Park south to Black Hawk, through aspen groves, mountain towns, and views of the high peaks. Established in 1918, it is the oldest scenic byway in Colorado. The aspen along the route typically peak around the end of September and the first days of October.
- Route
- CO 7, CO 72, and CO 119
- From – to
- Estes Park to Black Hawk
- Length
- About 55 miles
- Typical peak
- Sep 29 – Oct 1
2026 foliage season
Typical season
Peak around October 1 at Estes Park. Turn on JavaScript to see today’s status and the five-week outlook.
Status shown for Estes Park, at 7,522 feet. See below for other points along the drive.
Peak along the route
Bars show the typical best-viewing window at each point. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.
Along the way
- Estes Park, at the northern end, next to Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Lily Lake, just south of Estes Park, below Longs Peak.
- Chapel on the Rock, a stone chapel on a rock outcrop near Allenspark.
- Wild Basin, a quieter corner of Rocky Mountain National Park reached from the byway.
- Brainard Lake Recreation Area, near Ward, below the peaks of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
- Nederland, a mountain town beside Barker Reservoir.
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park, near the southern end.
Short walks
The loop around Lily Lake is short and level, with views of Longs Peak. Wild Basin and Brainard Lake both have trails leading into the high country.
The season at Estes Park
Bar height shows how good the viewing typically is on each day, from September 1 through November 30. Colors show the stage, from green through peak red to bare.
Nearby destinations and guides
Trees you’ll see turning
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway?
In a typical year, color along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway peaks from about September 29 at Nederland to about October 1 at Estes Park. Weather can shift the timing by about a week either way.
How long is the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway?
About 55 miles, Estes Park to Black Hawk.
Peak dates come from the Leaves.com model of typical years. They are not live observations. How it works.