Golden aspens, sunrise at the most famous peaks in the state, a mountain drive with no guardrails and a box canyon town we did not want to leave. That was our Colorado fall road trip, squeezed into four days and three nights. This post is the big picture: the route, where to sleep, how each day flowed and what we would change next time.
We drove this loop September 21 to 24 with Tira in the back seat, so look for dog notes along the way. When you want every detail for a stop, each day links to its own full guide.
Watch the Full Road Trip
Prefer to see it in motion? We filmed the whole loop in two parts, so you can ride along from the first sunrise at Maroon Bells to our last evening in Telluride.
Colorado Fall Road Trip Part 1
Follow along as the trip begins.
Colorado Fall Road Trip Part 2
The second half of our fall road trip.
Where to Stay on This Road Trip
We split the trip between a campsite in the national forest and a cozy hotel in town. Here is how we would book it again, plus a couple of alternatives.
Near Maroon Bells and Aspen
Our first two nights were in a tent at Silver Bell Campground in White River National Forest, just down the road from Maroon Lake. The best part of camping here is that the reservation comes with Maroon Lake parking access, so there is no separate parking pass to chase.
Not a camper? Compare pet friendly hotels in Aspen on Expedia, look for a rental on Vrbo, or treat yourself to a night at the historic Hotel Jerome.
Telluride
For our Telluride night we picked the Mountainside Inn. It welcomes dogs, sits an easy walk from Main Street and has outdoor hot tubs along the river.
Staying in town means you can walk to dinner and the gondola. If you would rather wake up on the mountain, book a stay in Mountain Village and let the free gondola carry you down to town. Traveling with a group or want more room for your pup? Browse Telluride vacation rentals on Vrbo that allow dogs.
Ouray (Optional Extra Night)
We did not sleep in Ouray this time, but it is the perfect place to add a night if you want to take the Million Dollar Highway slowly. Browse pet friendly stays on Expedia or Vrbo.
Planning to stay in Ouray? Here are some options to book your stay.
How to Get to Aspen: Flying In and Driving
The trip starts in Aspen and ends in Telluride. Here are your airport options and the drive in from Denver.
Flying to Aspen
Five airports can work for this trip. Whichever you choose, plan on a rental car.
Driving to Aspen From Denver
The dependable way in is I-70 West to Glenwood Springs, then CO 82 south into Aspen. It is about 200 miles and 3.5 to 4 hours, almost all of it on the interstate with plenty of places to stop for gas and food.
How we drove it: We left at night so we could be at Maroon Bells by sunrise, which made I-70 the easy choice for night driving and reliable gas stops. We topped off in Glenwood Springs before the last stretch on CO 82.
Day 1: Maroon Bells at Sunrise and Crater Lake
If there is one morning to set an alarm for on this trip, it is this one. Maroon Creek Road requires a reservation from mid May through October, for both cars and the shuttle. Only shuttles run between 8am and 5pm, so a parking reservation means rolling in before 8am. Parking for our dates opened in June, and we booked the same morning it went live.
Read the full Maroon Bells guide →Sunrise at Maroon Lake
After driving through the night, we pulled up between 5:30 and 6am, scanned our QR code at the Welcome Station and had no trouble finding a spot. Then we just stood there. Golden aspens, glassy water and the Bells catching first light. If we had to pick one moment from the whole trip, this would be it.
Crater Lake Trail
Plan on 3.6 miles round trip and roughly 500 to 700 feet of climbing on a rocky trail. The reward is standing right under the Bells at the end. Starting before the shuttles arrive keeps things quiet, and we were back at the car by 11:30am.
Settle In at Silver Bell Campground
We set up camp at site 5, roughly 4 miles below Maroon Lake. It is a simple spot with no running water or electricity, but Maroon Creek runs right past and made for the best white noise. These sites go fast, so grab yours early.
Day 2: Downtown Aspen, Independence Pass and an Evening at Maroon Bells
Day two was a mix of slow wandering and one big drive: a morning in town, a trip up to the Continental Divide, a riverside stop on the way back and one more look at the Bells before bed.
Read the full Aspen guide →Downtown Aspen Highlights
Independence Pass
The summit is roughly 40 minutes east of town at 12,095 feet, right on the Continental Divide. A short path leads to the overlook, and even up above treeline the low alpine plants were showing fall color. We got wind and rain up there, so pack a jacket no matter how nice it looks in town.
North Star Nature Preserve
Heading back toward Aspen, pull over at the Stillwater Bridge on the west side of the preserve to watch the Roaring Fork River meander through golden meadows. Dogs have to stay out of the preserve itself, but they are welcome on leash on the East of Aspen Trail that runs along the edge.
Back to Maroon Bells for the Evening
Our campsite was right on Maroon Creek Road, so we made one more trip up for sunset. Rain ruled out a colorful sky, but fog and low clouds were rolling over the peaks, and the whole scene felt calm and a little mysterious. It looked nothing like the morning before. Cars can drive up after 5pm, but you still need a parking reservation unless you are camping nearby.
Day 3: Aspen to Ouray, the Million Dollar Highway and On to Telluride
This is the long, scenic driving day. We broke camp, drove from Aspen toward Ouray and gassed up in Ridgway, because there is nowhere to fill up on the Million Dollar Highway itself. From Ouray we went south to Silverton, then turned around and came back north through Ouray on the way to Telluride.
Read the full Million Dollar Highway guide →Our Million Dollar Highway Stops
Day 4: Telluride and the Drive Home
One day was all it took for Telluride to become our favorite Colorado mountain town. We spent the morning at the falls and the rest of the day riding the gondola and poking around town.
Read the full Telluride guide →Bridal Veil Falls Viewpoint
Start here, and start early, since the trailhead lot fills up quickly. After a rainy night we skipped the hike and enjoyed the 365 foot falls from the parking area.
Ride the Free Gondola
Hop off at every stop: San Sophia Station at 10,540 feet, Mountain Village and Market Plaza. Pups ride along in the cabins marked with paw prints.
Dog Friendly Shopping Downtown
Our favorite stops with Tira were Sit, Stay, Shop!, Telluride Toggery and Dirt Dawg Co.
The Drive Home
On the way out, we made a quick stop in Ouray to walk the historic main street and browsed the Second Chance Thrift Store in Ridgway before driving through the night. Telluride to Denver is about 6 to 6.5 hours via US 50 over Monarch Pass. Not a fan of night driving? Break it up with an overnight in Gunnison, Salida or Buena Vista.
If You Have More Time: Optional Stops
We ran out of days before we ran out of ideas. If you can stretch your trip, these are the next stops on our list.
Hike to Bridal Veil Falls
From the trailhead lot, the hike to the base of the falls is about 1.2 miles one way, or roughly 2.4 miles round trip. The top is off limits since the power station there is private property. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Ice Lakes Basin
A tough, all day hike to some of the most photographed alpine lakes in Colorado. We chose a full Telluride day instead, but it is worth adding if you have a spare day.
Ouray Perimeter Trail, Box Cañon Falls and Hot Springs
Loop around town on the dog friendly Ouray Perimeter Trail, then take the short walk to Box Cañon Falls, where the water thunders through a slot canyon. Finish with a soak at the hot springs pool, which is perfect for sore hiking legs. Dogs are not allowed in the pool.
Ashcroft Ghost Town
An 1880s mining town about 11 miles up Castle Creek Road from Aspen. The drive there is one of the prettiest fall color routes near town.
Colorado Fall Road Trip FAQ
When is the best time for fall colors near Aspen and Telluride?
Aim for the third and fourth weeks of September around Aspen and Maroon Bells, and the last week of September for Telluride. On our September 21 to 24 trip, Maroon Bells was close to peak, while Telluride was still mostly green with pockets of gold.
Do I need a reservation for Maroon Bells?
Yes, from mid May through October, whether you drive or take the shuttle. Parking reservations are for arriving before 8am or after 5pm. Campers at Silver Bell, Silver Bar or Silver Queen get parking with their site.
Is this route dog friendly?
For the most part. Bring a leash and your pup can join you at Maroon Bells (minus the Scenic Loop), on the Crater Lake Trail, around downtown Aspen and Telluride and in the gondola pet cabins. Leave them out of the Aspen Art Museum and North Star Nature Preserve, and ask before walking into shops, especially in Ouray.
Can I do this trip without camping?
Of course. Book a hotel in Aspen or a Vrbo instead, then reserve Maroon Bells parking or a shuttle seat, since the included parking is only for nearby campers. Our Maroon Bells guide walks through how the reservations work.
One Loop, Four Days, So Much Gold
Sunrise at Maroon Bells, a slow day in Aspen, the Million Dollar Highway and our first taste of Telluride. This loop gave us a little of everything we love about Colorado in the fall. If you can only fit in one fall road trip this year, this is the route we would hand you.
Be a Good Steward of the Trail
These places are beautiful because people before us took care of them. Pack out everything you bring in, stay on marked trails, do not disturb wildlife, and leave every spot better than you found it. If you see trash on the trail, pick it up. The mountains give us so much. The least we can do is take care of them in return.
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles
We follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles on every adventure so these lands stay wild and welcoming for years to come.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare. Check the weather, trail conditions, road closures, and any permits or shuttle reservations before you go. Good planning means less impact on the places you visit and a safer trip for you and your dog.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. Stay on marked trails and established paths, and camp only in designated sites. Cutting switchbacks or stepping off the trail crushes fragile alpine plants that take years to recover.
- Dispose of Waste Properly. Pack out everything you bring in, including food scraps, wrappers, and tissues. If you travel with a pup, bag every bit of dog waste and carry it out with you.
- Leave What You Find. Take photos, not souvenirs. Leave rocks, wildflowers, aspen branches, antlers, and historic items right where they are so the next person can enjoy them too.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts. Only build fires where they are allowed, keep them small, and make sure they are completely out. Always check for local fire restrictions before you go.
- Respect Wildlife. Watch from a distance and never feed animals. Keep your dog leashed so they do not chase or disturb wildlife, and store food securely.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Share the trail, keep noise down, and yield to others. Keep your dog under control so everyone can enjoy their time outside.
Leave it better than you found it, and the mountains will keep giving.
More From Our Colorado Fall Road Trip
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Maroon Bells With a Dog: The Ultimate Guide and 2 Nights Camping
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1 Day in Aspen With a Dog: Downtown and Independence Pass
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Driving the Million Dollar Highway: 7 Stops Worth Pulling Over For
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1 Day in Telluride With Your Dog: The Perfect Fall Itinerary
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First Time in Crested Butte: The Complete Wildflower Itinerary
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Ouray Perimeter Trail: Dog Friendly Hike Guide
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