Summer unlocks Colorado's most spectacular scenic drives. Passes that remain closed under feet of snow all winter finally open, revealing alpine landscapes accessible only by car a few months each year. These roads offer some of the most dramatic scenery in North America.
Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park crests at 12,183 feet - the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. Independence Pass east of Aspen reaches 12,095 feet with dizzying switchbacks. The Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray offers cliffside drama.
These roads require respect. Weather changes fast at altitude - afternoon thunderstorms are common. Some passes have steep drop-offs with minimal guardrails. But the rewards are incomparable: wildflower meadows, alpine tundra, wildlife sightings, and views that stretch for a hundred miles.