Colorado What To Do›Fall Things To Do
Fall Things To Do
In Colorado
Gold aspens, bugling elk, empty trails and hot springs on cold nights. Here is what to do in Colorado from September into November, and what closes as the season turns.
What is there to do in Colorado in the fall?
Drive a mountain pass for aspen color, watch the elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park, ride a historic train, soak in a hot springs town, hike while the trails are quiet, and visit Great Sand Dunes in cooler weather. The best timing depends on elevation: high country peaks first in September, and color moves downhill into October.
Fall is short in the Colorado mountains, and it moves fast. The trick is to follow it downhill.
The crowds of July thin out after Labor Day, afternoon storms become less frequent, and the high country turns gold for a few weeks before the first real snow. By mid-October the passes start closing and the color is down in the foothills. Plan by elevation, not by a single date.
The main event
Aspen Drives,
By Elevation
Aspens turn when nights get cold, so the highest groves go first. A rough rule: high passes from mid to late September, mid-elevation valleys in late September and the first days of October, and the foothills into mid-October. A warm or dry year can shift that by a week in either direction.
- Kenosha Pass on US 285, about an hour and a half from Denver. Wide aspen slopes with views into South Park, and the Colorado Trail crosses the highway here. Very busy on September weekends.
- Guanella Pass between Georgetown and Grant. A paved scenic byway that climbs above treeline with aspen on both sides.
- Peak to Peak Highway between Estes Park and Black Hawk. Colorado's oldest scenic byway, an easy day from Denver or Boulder.
- Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and Paonia. A gravel road through one of the largest aspen groves in the state; passable in a normal car when dry.
- Dallas Divide and Last Dollar Road near Ridgway and Telluride. Classic San Juan views. Last Dollar Road is rough and best with high clearance.
- Maroon Bells near Aspen. The most photographed fall view in Colorado, reached by shuttle or with a parking reservation in season.
Go on a weekday if you can, arrive early, and have a second destination in mind if the first is packed.
Dawn and dusk
The Elk Rut In
Rocky Mountain National Park
From about mid-September to mid-October, bull elk gather herds and bugle to warn off rivals. The meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park are the classic place to watch: Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and Upper Beaver Meadows, plus the golf course and lawns of Estes Park itself.
The most activity comes around sunrise and in the hour before dark. Bring binoculars, stay by your car or on the road edge, and never walk toward the animals. Bulls are aggressive during the rut. The park closes some meadows to off-trail travel during this season, so watch for signs. Check the park website for any timed-entry reservation requirements during your visit.
Beyond the leaves
Trains, Hot Springs
And Dunes
Historic trains
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs through the Animas River canyon, and the Georgetown Loop Railroad climbs between Georgetown and Silver Plume. Both are popular in color season, so book ahead.
Hot springs
Cold mornings are what hot springs are for. Glenwood Springs, Pagosa Springs, Ouray and Steamboat Springs all have hot springs pools, and they make an easy base for a fall road trip.
Great Sand Dunes
Summer afternoons on the sand can be brutally hot; fall is far more comfortable for climbing the dunes. Medano Creek is usually dry by autumn, so come for the hiking and the night sky rather than the water.
Harvest season
Farm stands, orchards and pumpkin patches along the Front Range and on the Western Slope are at their busiest in September and October. It is an easy half day with kids; our Colorado with kids guide has more ideas.
Quiet trails
After the leaves drop, lower-elevation trails are often at their best: cool, dry and nearly empty. Many of the places on our free things to do in Colorado list are ideal in late October.
Plan around it
What Closes
As Fall Ends
- Trail Ridge Road usually closes to through traffic for the winter by late October, and storms can close it earlier. It normally reopens around Memorial Day weekend.
- High passes and byways. Unpaved high routes such as Kebler Pass and Independence Pass close for the winter once snow arrives, typically in November. Check the Colorado Department of Transportation and county road reports before you drive.
- Campgrounds. Many national forest campgrounds close or turn off the water in the fall, while lower-elevation state parks keep some sites open.
- Mountain towns. Late October into November is a quiet shoulder season. Some restaurants and shops take a break between the fall and ski seasons, and lodging is often at its cheapest.
Some ski areas begin opening around the end of October or in early November when snow and snowmaking allow. If you are driving I-70 in the fall, check the current winter driving rules before you go.
Common questions
Fall In Colorado, Answered
When do the aspens change color in Colorado?
It depends on elevation. High-country aspens usually turn first, from mid to late September, and color works downhill into early October. Foothills and Front Range cities often hold color into mid-October. Weather shifts the timing every year, so check recent reports before a long drive.
Where can you see the elk rut in Colorado?
Rocky Mountain National Park is the best-known place, especially Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and Upper Beaver Meadows, and the elk also wander through the town of Estes Park. The rut runs from about mid-September to mid-October, with the most activity around dawn and dusk. Stay well back and follow any posted meadow closures.
When does Trail Ridge Road close for the season?
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park usually closes to through traffic for the winter by late October, and earlier storms can close it temporarily before that. It normally reopens around Memorial Day weekend. The park posts current road status on its website.
What is there to do in Colorado in October?
Late aspen color in the foothills, the end of the elk rut, scenic train rides, hot springs, hiking at lower elevations, Great Sand Dunes in cooler weather, and harvest season at farm stands and pumpkin patches. Some ski areas also begin opening around the end of the month or in early November when conditions allow.
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