Fall Leaf Peeping in Breckenridge and Alma: Best Drives + Hikes for Golden Aspens

The most scenic spots for vibrant autumn colors, including our favorite hikes, overlooks, and scenic drives, plus when to visit for peak color.

Fall in Colorado is a busy and very quick season. Everyone is trying to nail the timing just right and in the high alpine country it can be challenging to pinpoint. That being said we can get color in the mountains as early as mid to late August with Peak being late September to Early October and then the leaves starting to fall off around mid October. Here are some of the best and closest spots near our cabins! Our property is dotted with mostly spruce and aspens clusters too so you will have some smaller opportunities on the property for peeping or photos as well. 

Kenosha Pass If you’re coming from Denver you’re likely taking Hwy 285 to get to us. Its easy and way less hassle than the I-70 route. In my opinion it's the most gorgeous drive for fall colors! Go early to avoid the traffic jams and your chances of spotting moose are better! There is a pull off before you get to Jefferson, Colorado that has some of the best fall colors I’ve ever seen! 

Hoosier Pass Off Hwy 9, this was rated last year by Visit Breckenridge as one of the best places to see fall colors in the Park/Summit County area! Luckily for our guests this is the view from our cabins! You can see the pass to the north of our decks and then directly off the deck facing east you will see the 14er Mt. Silverheels and the ridge below it which we look out to lights up with color from the aspens. This is a short drive from our cabin to the pass which will take you to Breckenridge 30 mins away. There is a lookout on the top of the pass that you can park at to overlook the Continental Watershed divide and the Montgomery Reservoir. There are some nice walks from this lookout parking area too so bring your hiking boots and camera, leave the drones though as it's against the law to fly drones above this reservoir. 

Aspen Alley Near Breckenridge this trail name says it all! It will come alive with color in autumn. Most trails that are accessible to Breckenridge get congested fast so go early for the best chances of a private leaf peeping experience if that's your preference. 

Beaver Creek Trail This is my most recommended trail! It's a bit hidden so I find that it gets visited less and it's got a little bit of everything! There are aspen trees all around this loop and it has good accessible trails and parking even for toddlers or senior hikers. 

If you just want to go for a quick hyper local drive and are not interested in a hike plus have a good 4x4 vehicle I would highly recommend going for a drive up Quartzville Rd in our neighborhood. This road carves up and winds towards Quandary Peak the 14,000ft mountain behind our cabin. The road can be bumpy and rough but its lined with aspens as you drive up and there are some nice private pull outs and vistas where you can get epic views of the valley where Moose Creek runs below our cabin. It also has soaring views of Hoosier Pass and Mt. Silverheels.