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Highest-rated scenic drives in Colorado by visitors

·Stacker

Kirk Wester // Shutterstock
Kirk Wester // Shutterstock
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There's no shortage of scenic drives to take in the United States. According to the National Scenic Byway Foundation, there are 184 designated byway routes with beautiful vistas, as well as historic and cultural sites across the country. That means, no matter where you are in the U.S., a stunning drive isn't too far away.

Some drives have reached celebrity status, one of the most well known being Historic Route 66, which stretches from downtown Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California. Since 1926, travelers have been hitting the 2,448-mile road that has more than 250 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2026, a centennial celebration will feature dozens of special events along the route.

Other famous drives include the Pacific Coast Highway in California, which hugs 650 miles of the state's coast; the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic 444-mile route from Tennessee to Alabama and Mississippi; and the highest fully paved road in North America, Colorado's Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, which sits at a cool 14,264 feet at its peak.

Of course, there are plenty more drives that may not be as famous but are just as alluring. The Highland Scenic Highway in West Virginia gives riders a picturesque view through the Monongahela National Forest. Make a pit stop in the Cranberry Glades for an unusual sight: bogs full of carnivorous plants. Further north, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire is a particularly beautiful drive as the leaves turn in the fall and won't take you too long to drive—it's on the shorter side at only 34.5 miles long.

For those looking to take to the open road, Stacker compiled a list of the best scenic drives in Colorado using data from Tripadvisor as of August 2025. Note that Tripadvisor ranks attractions using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a drive with a 5/5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4/5. Only routes with at least 20 reviews were included.

Once you locate the closest scenic drive, gather your favorite passengers, turn on an epic playlist, and take in the beauty that Colorado has to offer.

You may also like: Hottest Septembers in Colorado since 1895

#29. Lobo Overlook / Radio Tower

Tripadvisor

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#29. Lobo Overlook / Radio Tower

- Rating: 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
- City: Pagosa Springs
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir

Tripadvisor

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#28. Owl Creek Pass and Silver Jack Reservoir

- Rating: 4.7/5 (36 reviews)
- City: Ridgway
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Highway of Legends Scenic Byway

Tripadvisor

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#26. Highway of Legends Scenic Byway

- Rating: 4.8/5 (87 reviews)
- City: La Veta
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. East Portal Road

Tripadvisor

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#24. East Portal Road

- Rating: 4.5/5 (77 reviews)
- City: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway

Tripadvisor

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#21. Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway

- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- City: Golden
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. South Rim Road

Tripadvisor

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#18. South Rim Road

- Rating: 4.8/5 (223 reviews)
- City: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Old Fall River Road

Tripadvisor

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#12. Old Fall River Road

- Rating: 4.7/5 (522 reviews)
- City: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Tripadvisor

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#3. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,845 reviews)
- City: Estes Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Trail Ridge Road

Tripadvisor

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#2. Trail Ridge Road

- Rating: 4.9/5 (3,490 reviews)
- City: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Pikes Peak - America's Mountain

Tripadvisor

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#1. Pikes Peak - America's Mountain

- Rating: 4.7/5 (7,827 reviews)
- City: Cascade El Paso County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 29 states.

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