Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
72 CO-7, Estes Park, CO 80517
Hours
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is open 24 hours, weather permitting.
Cost
Driving the byway is free. Some attractions along the route carry their own fees:
- Rocky Mountain National Park Day Pass (entering at Estes Park): $30 per vehicle
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
- Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Day Use Fees: $5–$10
Prices are subject to change.
About
Colorado's oldest scenic route, the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway dates to 1918. Built to draw travelers into the heart of the Front Range, the 55-mile drive links the historic mining towns of Central City and Black Hawk with the natural wonder of Estes Park, and it passes through Rocky Mountain National Park along the way.
Long before the road existed, this stretch was Gold Rush country. John H. Gregory struck gold near what's now Central City in 1859, and fortune seekers arrived in droves. Rough wagon trails and narrow railroad lines gradually gave way to the byway we drive today.
The route follows the backbone of the Rockies along the Continental Divide, delivering views of iconic summits like Longs Peak and Mount Meeker without requiring you to climb them. You'll pass through the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests, where aspen groves turn brilliant gold in late September and subalpine woods open up as the elevation rises.
History runs deep here. Ghost towns like Apex, Nevadaville, and Caribou dot the landscape. Caribou produced over $5 million in silver in the 1800s, making it Colorado's largest silver mine at the time. Today only a few buildings, foundations, and cemeteries remain. Caribou is also home to the legendary Caribou Ranch Recording Studio, where Michael Jackson, U2, Elton John, John Lennon, and Billy Joel all recorded before a 1985 fire closed the facility.
Wildlife is a constant companion on the drive. Elk, moose, and mule deer are common sightings, and in fall entire herds sometimes bring traffic to a stop. Hawks and eagles circle the valleys overhead. When you need to stretch your legs, trailheads off the main road offer easy access to the surrounding wilderness.
Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rocks is worth a stop too: a small stone chapel perched on a hillside that's one of the more quietly striking spots along the route.
Local Tips
- Fill up on gas in Estes Park or Black Hawk. Stations are scarce along the byway.
- Download an offline map or bring a paper one; cell coverage is limited.
- Leave early to beat summer afternoon thunderstorms.
- Dress in layers. Higher elevations run noticeably cooler.
- Pack water and snacks; food options along the route are limited.
