Best Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado

And since Colorado’s famous aspen trees typically don’t reach their peak color until late September or early October, when the kids are back in school, it’s generally easier to find available campsites than during the busy summer months.

“There’s a slow down in Colorado after Labor Day,” said Mary Arlington,  of the Colorado Campground & Lodging Owners Association, which hosts CampColorado.com. “This is excellent for RV enthusiasts hoping to take fall foliage tours. But it’s still a good idea to book your reservations in advance. Also, monitor the weather, which has a powerful impact on the timing of the colors. If you arrive too early, you’ll likely still find colors, but you might have to alter your drives.”

Colorado has no shortage of spectacular drives.

Here’s a sampling of some of the more popular fall color routes in Colorado with examples of campgrounds that can be used as basecamps along the way:

U.S. 550 from Durango to Ouray

This 70-mile route, also known as the “Million Dollar Highway,” starts in the historic railroad town of Durango at 6,522 feet and eventually climbs over timberline to 11,018 feet at Red Mountain Pass before descending again to the tiny 7,792-foot town Ouray, which promotes itself as “the Switzerland of America.” Many people take the historic train ride from Durango to Silverton on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which typically runs until late October. Before arriving at Ouray, most visitors stop to visit the historic mining town of Silverton at 9,318 feet, which still has much of its original architecture from the late 1800s.

Campgrounds along and near this route include:

United Campground in Durango: This campground is located on the banks of the Animas River and the narrow-gauge tracks of the Durango Silverton Railroad run right through the middle of the park, creating an excellent photo op.

Westerly RV Park in Durango: This property is across the street from Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa.

4J+1+1 RV Park in Ouray: The Clark family has owned and operated this campground for over 60 years. It features 58 RV sites, 10 tent sites and one camping cabin. The campground is two blocks from downtown Ouray.

Ouray Riverside Resort in Ouray: This 8,000-foot elevation campground and hotel resort has an onsite restaurant, borders the Uncompahgre River and offers spectacular views of waters in the surrounding San Juan Mountains.

Crested Butte to Carbondale via Kebler Pass and McClure Pass

This 73.5-mile scenic drive starts at nearly 9,000 feet at Crested Butte, a historic coal mining town with historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s. From Crested Butte, take County Road 12 for a spectacular 30-mile drive through aspen trees over 10,007-foot Kebler Pass, which many consider to be one of the best places to view aspens in Colorado. County Road 12 is a good quality gravel road, though for day trips, it’s best to leave your trailer in the campground and enjoy the road in the comfort of your tow vehicle.

Turn right when you reach State Highway 133, which takes you on 8 percent grades over 8,770-foot McClure Pass to Carbondale. McClure Pass includes views of the famous Maroon Bells mountain peaks near the town of Aspen.

For a scenic side trip, as you head north to Carbondale, take County Road 3 for six miles to visit the tiny historic town of Marble, which is located along the Crystal River. Marble supplied the high-quality marble used in both the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Washington D.C.

Marble is also the home of the picturesque Crystal Mill, which is featured in many photographs.

Campgrounds along and near this route include:

Crested Butte RV Resort in Crested Butte: Amenities at this park include catch-and-release fly fishing on the Slate River.

Carbondale / Crystal River KOA in Carbondale: This park is located along the Crystal River and features RV sites as well as rental accommodations.
 

Kebler Corner in Somerset, Colorado: Situated along Anthracite Creek and the North Fork of the Gunnison River, this 6,000-foot elevation campground offers RV and tent sites as well as cabins of various sizes, plus hotel style rooms. The campground can serve as a base camp for hiking and fishing enthusiasts. 

Buena Vista to Aspen via Independence Pass

The road over Independence Pass is paved, though it may be best to leave your RV on a campsite at a nearby campground while you explore this area. No vehicles over 35 feet in length are allowed to travel this roadway, and the widths play a factor as well with some very limited clearances. Leave the RV behind and enjoy the drive.

From Buena Vista, take U.S. Highway 24 north following the course of the Arkansas River to Twin Lakes, where you make a left and travel 37 miles on County Road 82 over 12,095-foot Independence Pass and down to the scenic 8,000-foot elevation ski resort town of Aspen.

We also recommend spending another day and head North on U.S. Highway 24 to the historic mining town of Leadville. Buena Vista is also a popular base camp for ATV enthusiasts who take autumn color tours using maps provided by the Buena Vista Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce.

Campgrounds along and near this route include:

Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins in Buena Vista: This campground complements its RV and tent camping options with furnished cabins and yurts. The park also offers a free shuttle to the Arkansas River for rafting trips. 

Chalk Creek Campground, RV Park & Cabins in Nathrop: This park offers RV and tent camping along Chalk Creek as well as furnished cabin rentals.

Mt Princeton RV Park in Buena Vista: This park complements its RV sites with cabin and park model rentals. Amenities include a clubhouse.

Snowy Peaks RV Park & Rentals in Buena Vista: This park offers RV and tent sites as well as a variety of RV rentals, including Coleman pop-up campers and travel trailers. Pet sitting and babysitting services are also available.

Sugar Loafin’ RV Campground in Leadville: This park complements its RV sites with park model rentals. The tent sites are large and many are located under beautiful tall pine trees.