White Knuckles and Fall Colors Are On The San Juan Skyway

Enjoy a lovely, white-knuckling drive through the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests. The San Juan Skyway takes you from Ridgway to Durango, to Silverton and back giving you the ultimate view of Colorado's fall colors.

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The Million Dollar Road makes up 25 miles of the San Juan Skyway. This stretch is known for its breathtaking views and lack of guardrails and shoulders.

Begin your San Juan Skyway drive in Ridgeway, and make your way through Telluride on Highway 145. Telluride is the home of the 14er, Mount Sneffels. This is the highest summit in the Rockies.

After you pass through Telluride, a trifecta of 14ers await you. These are Mt. Wilson, El Diente, and Wilson Peak. Mt. Wilson is one of the most western fourteeners in Colorado.

San Juan Skyway continues South into Dolores and Cortez. Cortez is home to Mesa Verde National park, which is where the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings are.

The drive to see all of the fall colors on the San Juan Skyway is a little over 220 miles. I would give you at least 5-7 hours for this gorgeous drive.

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The Most Scenic Fall Color Drives in Colorado

We'll take you all over the state and through quaint little mountain towns on your Colorado fall color drive journey.

When Will Colorado See Fall Color Changes 2021

It's been a very hot and dry summer in Western Colorado. The good news is that this means the fall color change may arrive just a tad earlier than last year. Here's a look at when the colors will start to pop.