Autumn Leaf Adventures

If you want to catch a glimpse of Colorado’s colorful autumn treasure, come to Clear Creek County. Located along I-70, our historic Mining Towns of Idaho Springs, Empire, Silver Plume, and the surrounding forests, are rich in the fall beauty of changing aspen, oak, cottonwood, and willow leaves.

Here, there are so many great ways to enjoy fall colors. 

Scenic Drives

• Guanella Scenic and Historic Byway 
• Virginia Canyon Road 
• Fall River Road + Saint Mary’s Glacier 
• Mount Blue Sky Scenic and Historic Byway + Echo Lake

Find A Room With A View

• Blackstone Rivers Ranch Vacation Cabins
• Silver Lake Lodge

Sit Back and Enjoy

• Georgetown Loop Railroad
• Guikded Hiking Tours Colorado 
• Horseback Tours 
• Hiking Tours 

Here’s our guide to enjoying Colorado’s finest fall colors in Clear Creek:

Visit at the right time – Typically, mid-September to late October is the best time to see prime foliage here.

Come early for exceptional views – Remember, colors first appear at higher elevation, so plan to visit early in the season for the best variety of color.

Go for the gold – Aspen trees present amazing color transformation as their leaves turn from their early spring electric green to a deep green in the summer and bright buoyant gold in early fall.

Don’t forget other leaves – Seek out stunning colors from high-mountain cottonwood, oak, and willow trees too. 

Watch for wildlife – While enjoying the colors of the fall, keep your eyes open for the abundance of wildlife that call Clear Creek County home. 

Please bring proper shoes – no flip flops (seriously)