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Status update, October 21, 2026.
- Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park closed temporarily on October 13 for snow and ice between Rainbow Curve and Milner Pass (CBS Colorado). The road's average closing date for winter is October 23, and last year it closed on November 14 (NPS, NPS). Call the recorded status line at 970-586-1222 before you drive up. Timed entry is over for 2026, so you only need an entrance pass, and Bear Lake Road stays open all year (NPS, NPS).
- Independence Pass (CO 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes) is still open (Independence Pass Foundation). CDOT says it typically closes on or near November 7 (CDOT); it closed on November 17 in 2025 and on October 31 in 2024. Cottonwood Pass west of Buena Vista usually closes in late October or early November, and Guanella Pass around Thanksgiving (Denver Gazette). Check COtrip.org the morning you drive.
- Mount Blue Sky Road closed to vehicles for 2026 on October 5 (Recreation.gov).
Seasons at a glance
| Drive | Length | High point | Season (typical) | From Denver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Ridge Road (RMNP) | 48 miles | 12,183 ft | Late May to mid/late Oct | Day trip |
| Peak to Peak Highway | 55 miles | Varies | Year-round | Day trip |
| Guanella Pass | 22 miles | Above treeline | Memorial Day wknd to ~Nov 26 | Half day |
| Mount Blue Sky | 28 miles up | 14,130 ft | Late May to early Oct (2026: May 22 to Oct 5) | Half day |
| Pikes Peak Highway | 19 miles | 14,115 ft | Year-round, weather permitting | Day trip |
| Independence Pass (CO 82) | Aspen to Twin Lakes | 12,095 ft | Thu before Memorial Day to ~Nov 7 | Overnight trip |
| Loveland Pass (US 6) | Short pass road | 11,990 ft | Year-round, closes in storms | Half day |
| San Juan Skyway | 236-mile loop | Red Mountain Pass, 11,018 ft | Year-round, winter conditions | Multi-day trip |
Seasons come from CDOT, the NPS and Recreation.gov and change with the weather every year. Always check COtrip.org on the day you drive.
1. Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park
This is the highest continuous paved road in the US. It runs 48 miles across Rocky Mountain National Park between Estes Park and Grand Lake, topping out at 12,183 feet, with about 11 miles above 11,000 feet and few guardrails. It usually opens in late May and closes for winter sometime between mid-October and early November. The NPS puts the average closing date at October 23. During the timed-entry season (May 22 to October 12 in 2026), you needed a reservation to enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and you need a park entrance pass all year. (NPS) Plan it with our Denver to RMNP day trip guide.
2. Peak to Peak Highway
Colorado's oldest scenic byway, established in 1918, runs 55 miles from Estes Park to Black Hawk along CO 7, CO 72 and CO 119, through Allenspark, Ward and Nederland. CDOT estimates about 80 minutes of driving. You get long views of the Continental Divide, and side roads lead to Golden Gate Canyon State Park, the Indian Peaks and Eldora. It's a paved highway that stays open all year, which makes it a good fall-color drive and an easy way to loop back to Denver after a day in RMNP. (CDOT)
3. Guanella Pass
This 22-mile byway connects Georgetown, just off I-70, with Grant on US 285, climbing well above treeline between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky. CDOT estimates about an hour of driving. The road closes for winter around November 26 at Naylor Lake on the Georgetown side and Burning Bear Campground on the Grant side, and reopens on Memorial Day weekend. Pair it with Georgetown's Victorian main street. (CDOT)
4. Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans)
The highest paved road in North America climbs more than 7,000 feet in 28 miles from Idaho Springs to 14,130 feet. In 2026 you needed a timed ticket from Recreation.gov ($20 per vehicle, a typical estimate for next year), and federal passes weren't accepted. The road ran from May 22 to October 5 this year. Details are in our Mount Blue Sky guide.
5. Pikes Peak Highway
This 19-mile toll road climbs from near Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. In 2026 the city required a timed-entry permit for private vehicles going past Mile 7 from May 22 to September 30. In fall and winter, the gate opens at 9 a.m., the last car goes up at 3 p.m., and snow or wind can stop traffic partway up. Check current fees and permits with the Pikes Peak Highway before you go. If you'd rather not drive it, see Pikes Peak tours and Garden of the Gods.
6. Independence Pass (Top of the Rockies)
CO 82 crosses the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet between Aspen and Twin Lakes, near Leadville. It's part of the Top of the Rockies byway, and you'll pass the ghost town of Independence about three miles west of the summit. The road is narrow, with single-lane sections and rockfall, and vehicles over 35 feet (including any trailer) are never allowed. CDOT says it typically closes on or near November 7 and reopens the Thursday before Memorial Day. (CDOT) It works best as part of an Aspen and Maroon Bells trip.
7. Loveland Pass
US 6 climbs over Loveland Pass at 11,990 feet instead of going through the Eisenhower Tunnel. It's the direct route from I-70 to Arapahoe Basin, and the summit sits right on the Continental Divide, with a parking area at the top. It's open in winter but closes in severe weather, and it's steep and winding, so drive it in daylight. (Denver Tourism Guide)
8. San Juan Skyway and the Million Dollar Highway
The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile loop through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and the area around Mesa Verde. CDOT estimates about six hours of driving, and in 1996 it was named an All-American Road, the highest national byway designation. Its best-known stretch is the Million Dollar Highway, about 25 miles of US 550 between Ouray and Silverton. That stretch crosses Red Mountain Pass at about 11,018 feet, with tight curves, steep drop-offs and few guardrails. It's a multi-day trip from Denver, and it pairs well with the Durango & Silverton train. (CDOT, Visit Durango)
Tips for mountain driving
- Check road status the same day. Use COtrip.org for state highways and the NPS line (970-586-1222) for Trail Ridge.
- Use lower gears on long descents instead of riding the brakes.
- Start early in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common above treeline, and parking at overlooks fills by late morning.
- From September to May, Colorado's traction law can apply on I-70 and other highways. See our traction law guide and rent AWD if you can.
- Several of these drives go above 12,000 feet. Take breaks, drink water, and head down if you feel unwell.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most scenic drive in Colorado?
It depends on the season and how far you can go. From Denver, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is the usual pick in summer. The San Juan Skyway, including the Million Dollar Highway, is often called the most dramatic, but it's a multi-day trip.
Which Colorado scenic drives are open in winter?
The Peak to Peak Highway, Loveland Pass (except in storms), the Pikes Peak Highway (weather permitting) and the San Juan Skyway stay open. Trail Ridge Road, Mount Blue Sky, Independence Pass and Guanella Pass close for winter.
When does Independence Pass close?
CDOT says it typically closes on or near November 7 and reopens the Thursday before Memorial Day, weather permitting.
What is the Million Dollar Highway?
It's the roughly 25-mile stretch of US 550 between Ouray and Silverton, part of the San Juan Skyway. It crosses Red Mountain Pass at about 11,018 feet.
Do I need a reservation for Colorado scenic drives?
Some need one in summer. Trail Ridge Road falls under Rocky Mountain National Park's timed entry from late May to mid-October, Mount Blue Sky needs a Recreation.gov ticket, and Pikes Peak Highway required a timed permit past Mile 7 in summer 2026.
Sources are linked in the text. We check them when we update the page, but rules, dates and prices change, so confirm with the official source before you go.