GRAND COUNTY PLAYS HOST TO TWO NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS

Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway, Colorado Headwaters Scenic and Historic Byway Transcend Seasons

Grand County is home to two of the 10 Colorado roads designated as National Scenic Byways: Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road and the Colorado River Headwaters Byway. The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. To date, the program has recognized 126 roads around the country as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road
Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road is America's highest continuously paved road. The 48-mile-long road overlooks peaks ranging from 12,000 to over 14,000 feet; 11 miles of the route roam above tree line in the alpine tundra. Travelers will encounter forms of life and climatic conditions also found at the Arctic Circle.

Colorado River Headwaters Byway
Dropping 1,700 feet in elevation from end to end, the byway follows the Colorado River past reservoirs and lush ranchlands, and through narrow canyons flanked by the railroad. Wildlife abounds on the 60-mile road, and access to miles of public land offers year-round recreation and views of mountain landscapes and geology.

The two roads meet in the town of Granby. Here’s what you can expect on a point-to-point drive of both, summer and winter, starting with Trail Ridge Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park. And during the fall, both drives offer outstanding views of Colorado’s fall foliage.  

Byway Landmark:
Trail Ridge Road within Rocky Mountain National Park (US Highway 34) from Milner Pass south to Grand Lake.

Summer

• Sweeping vistas of the Colorado Rockies
• Mountain goats, marmots, elk, moose
• Many easily accessible trailheads
• Never Summer Ranch, a historic guest ranch
• Trail Ridge Road is open to Estes Park from May through October (weather- dependent).

Winter

• Closed at the higher passes
• Access for several miles into the Kawuneeche Valley
• Dazzling white vistas, deep pine forests, signs of winter wildlife.
• Many accessible trails for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing

Byway Landmark:
Village of Grand Lake (Trail Ridge Road ends; Colorado Headwaters Byway begins)

Summer

• Many shops and restaurants lining the boardwalk
• Boat rides on Colorado’s largest natural lake
• Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater, nightly through September

 Winter

• “Snowmobile Capital of Colorado”
• Many town streets open to snowmobiles
• New Year’s fireworks over the lake
• Nordic touring center at Grand Lake Golf Course

Byway Landmark:
Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby

Summer

• Popular boating and fishing destination
• Rainbow, mackinaw, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout; kokanee salmon

Winter

• Excellent snowmobiling and ice fishing
• Ice fishing contests sponsored by local businesses throughout the season

Byway Landmark:
Town of Granby

Summer

• Small-town hospitality with convenient services for travelers: lodging, banks, shops, library, supermarket, gas stations, post office

Winter

• Jumping-off point for side trips to the popular hiking and mountain biking destinations of the Fraser Valley and Winter Park
• Windy Gap Reservoir rest stop, just west of Granby, with short self-guided walk through a waterfowl sanctuary
• Alpine and Nordic skiing, all a short drive east
• Sol Vista Basin
• Devil’s Thumb Ranch
• Snow Mountain Ranch
• Winter Park Resort
• Mary Jane Ski Area
• Berthoud Pass

Byway Landmark:
Town of Hot Sulphur Springs

Summer

• County courthouse
• History museum complex
• Hot springs resort that  has been a destination for more than 100 years
• Fishing in Byers Canyon, west of town, where the Colorado River enters

Winter

• Hot springs
• History museum

Byway Landmark
Town of Parshall

Summer

• The 20-mile stretch of the Colorado River from its confluence with the Fraser River near Granby to Troublesome Creek near Kremmling is officially designated as “Gold Medal” waters for its wealth of brown and rainbow trout.

Winter

• Several stretches of prime fishing near Parshall remain easily accessible from the highway during the winter.  

Byway Landmark:
Town of Kremmling

Summer

• Bounded by three national forest areas
• Outstanding fishing on the Colorado River, Wolford Mountain Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, and Williams Fork Reservoir
• Open-range autumn hunting destination for elk and deer
• History museum showcasing the area’s ranching history
• Grand County Fair (late August)

Winter

• Uncrowded cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails
• Ice fishing on Wolford Mountain Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, and Williams Fork Reservoir

Byway Landmark:
Gore Canyon to State Bridge

Summer

• Stretch of the Colorado river popular for rafting and kayaking
• Ends with spectacular views of the rugged Upper Gore Canyon

Winter

• Ends at State Bridge; Continue on from State Bridge to Wolcott for access to I-70 and the Vail Valley.

For more information about Grand County’s scenic drives, destinations, activities, special events, or lodging deals, visit www.grand-county.com or call 800-729-5821.