Your Colorado Fall Color Trip Begins at the Hotel Colorado

The shortest of Colorado’s seasons, fall is fleeting. The window for peak color viewing is set to begin on Sept. 15 and runs through early October. There’s already a hint of what’s to come as native plants and grasses shift to more autumn-toned hues. It won’t be long before whole mountainsides of aspen trees are gilded gold and showing off for a few short weeks before dropping their leaves for winter. 


The Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is a perfect overnight or weekend stop for leaf peepers. A gorgeous setting year-round, the historic hotel is itself an autumn jewel. The ambiance is warm and welcoming day and night. Amenities include charming guest rooms with modern amenities; expertly prepared coffee drinks at Legends Espresso Bar; a menu of mouth-watering, seasonal selections at the Hotel Colorado Restaurant and Bar; and signature drinks in the hotel’s beautifully landscaped courtyard. With the arrival of sweater weather, guests can warm up in the evenings around several braziers in the courtyard—the firelight adds another layer of coziness to the fall ambiance.


Best Colorado Fall Color Hikes, Bikes & Drives
Hikes. Hanging Lake is stunning any time of year, but especially so in fall when the clear lake reflects the Colorado-blue sky. Aspens and evergreens surround the lake’s waterfalls for postcard-perfect pictures. Just remember to purchase your Hanging Lake hiking permit in advance. Another nearby hike worth the effort is the Jeanne Golay Trail on Red Mountain. At the summit, take in 360° panoramas that include Iron Mountain, Glenwood Canyon, a bird’s eye view of Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley, snowcapped Mt. Sopris and the Elk Range beyond.


Bikes. The paved surfaces of both the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path, which follows the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, and the Rio Grande Trail that connects Glenwood Springs with Aspen are ideal for fall road biking. Either one will dazzle with an explosion of color along the riverways. For a mountain bike excursion that takes you into the grandeur of the White River National Forest, head to Babbish Gulch at Sunlight Mountain Resort for an exquisite and exhilarating fall ride through the quakies.


Drives. Top color-popping drives include Highway 133 to Redstone and Marble. Alternatively, continue along Highway 133 over McClure Pass to Kebler Pass, an unpaved road. The Redstone to Marble route is a meandering drive through meadows, past red rock canyons, the Redstone Castle and Hays Creek Falls all while following the Crystal River; the route over McClure and Kebler passes is known statewide for its sweeping mountain views and showy fall colors. Another classic foliage drive is over Independence Pass near Aspen. Before heading back to Glenwood Springs, pull over at the Continental Divide for jaw-dropping alpine vistas for as far as the eye can see.  


Hiking, biking or driving—however you choose to experience Colorado’s magnificent autumn display, the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is the perfect place to begin. Make reservations for fall color season today at www.hotelcolorado.com.