Fall foliage near Denverday trips within 250 miles
Where can I see fall foliage near Denver?
We track 6 fall foliage places within 250 straight-line miles of Denver, in Colorado. The nearest is Guanella Pass, about 46 miles away (regional timing: Sep 1–30). Guanella Pass usually starts first (Sep 1–30) and Rocky Mountain ends last (Sep 1–Oct 31).
Updated Sep 28. Sources: US Forest Service, Fall Colors Usher in Autumn in the Rocky Mountains ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Learn about fall colors (Rocky Mountain) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- 6places within 250 miles
- 46 minearest: Guanella Pass
- Sep 1earliest usual start: Guanella Pass
- Sep 15week with the most places in their window (5)
Pick your week
Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.
Week of Sep 22
- Usually peaking this week
- Other weeks
Usually in peak the week of Sep 22
- Guanella Pass
Regional timing: Sep 1–30
46 miles from Denver
- Rocky Mountain
Local timing: Sep 1–Oct 31
54 miles from Denver
- San Juan Skyway
Usually Sep 11–Oct 20
206 miles from Denver
- Maroon Bells
Usually Sep 21–30
119 miles from Denver
- Great Sand Dunes
Usually Sep 21–Oct 10
145 miles from Denver
By distance from Denver
- 46 miGuanella PassRegional timing: Sep 1–30
- 54 miRocky MountainLocal timing: Sep 1–Oct 31
- 119 miMaroon BellsUsually Sep 21–30
- 145 miGreat Sand DunesUsually Sep 21–Oct 10
- 172 miBlack CanyonStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
- 206 miSan Juan SkywayUsually Sep 11–Oct 20
See two in one trip
Maroon Bells + San Juan Skyway + Great Sand Dunes
Usually overlapping: Sep 21–30
Maroon Bells → San Juan Skyway (about 100 mi) → Great Sand Dunes (about 120 mi). Straight-line miles; roads are longer.
Sources (4)
- US Forest Service, Fall Colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, San Juan National Forest fall colors report ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Great Sand Dunes conditions to expect by month ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Medano Pass Primitive Road ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
What's the closest fall foliage to Denver?
Guanella Pass, about 46 straight-line miles away. Regional timing: Sep 1–30.Source: US Forest Service, Fall Colors Usher in Autumn in the Rocky Mountains ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the best week for fall foliage near Denver?
Usually the week of Sep 15: 5 of the 6 places with timing are in their usual window then (Guanella Pass, Rocky Mountain, Maroon Bells and Great Sand Dunes and more). A season can run early or late.Sources: US Forest Service, Fall Colors Usher in Autumn in the Rocky Mountains ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Learn about fall colors (Rocky Mountain) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Fall Colors ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Great Sand Dunes conditions to expect by month ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Medano Pass Primitive Road ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, San Juan National Forest fall colors report ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where does the fall color season start first near Denver?
Guanella Pass (46 miles): regional timing: Sep 1–30.Source: US Forest Service, Fall Colors Usher in Autumn in the Rocky Mountains ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How far are these places from Denver?
From 46 to 206 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 2 are within 100 miles.