Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route57 midifficulty: easy

Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of TransportationLast verified—
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway — overland route near Buena Vista, Colorado, Colorado
USDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
57mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Generally good through the corridor; service in all towns.
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway is a 57-mile paved highway running on US-24 between Granite (south of Twin Lakes) and US-285, passing Leadville's southern approaches and the towns of Buena Vista and Salida. The route runs along the upper Arkansas River with the Collegiate Peaks (named for Ivy League universities) rising west of the corridor. Pike-San Isabel National Forest manages the surrounding higher elevations.

The road is paved and plowed year-round. Most drivers run the byway in 90 minutes, longer with stops at the Arkansas Headwaters or Cottonwood Hot Springs near Buena Vista. There are no technical obstacles. The interest is access to Sawatch Range trailheads, hot springs, and several FS roads that climb to higher passes (Cottonwood, Tincup, Hagerman, Mount Antero).

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Wildlife. Deer cross routinely.
  • Crosswinds. The Arkansas valley funnels strong wind; high-profile vehicles should be alert.
  • Summer rafting traffic. Buena Vista and Salida see heavy summer use.
  • Side-road conditions. FS roads off the byway can be rough; check status with the Salida Ranger District (719-539-3591) before extending.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms. Build over the Sawatch in summer.

Location

57 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 38.735, -106.073

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation
Nearest townBuena Vista, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
Approx. location38.735, -106.073

Getting there

Directions

From Granite / Twin Lakes (north entrance). Take US-24 south from Granite. The corridor runs through Buena Vista to US-285.

From Poncha Springs (south entrance). Take US-285 north from Poncha Springs through Salida and Buena Vista.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs north-south on US-24 / US-285 between Granite (just south of Twin Lakes on the Top of the Rockies route) and the Poncha Springs area south of Salida. The Sawatch Range, with eight 14,000-foot peaks named after Ivy League universities, rises west of the corridor. Pike-San Isabel National Forest's Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts manage the FS land.

Trail Overview

Fifty-seven miles, point-to-point, paved. The corridor follows the upper Arkansas River through a wide valley. Multiple FS access roads branch west to climb into the Sawatch foothills and trailheads (Cottonwood Pass, Tincup Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Mount Antero). There are no off-road sections on the byway itself.

Points of Interest

  • Buena Vista. River-rafting and outdoor town on the corridor with a historic main street and the Cottonwood Hot Springs nearby.
  • Salida. Historic mining and rail town with a developed downtown river park on the Arkansas.
  • Mount Princeton Hot Springs. Privately developed hot-springs resort with pools fed by the Princeton geothermal source.
  • Cottonwood Pass FS road. West of Buena Vista; the gravel pass road to Taylor Park and Crested Butte.
  • Mount Antero (14,275 ft). West of the corridor with a 4WD road climbing to over 13,000 feet for aquamarine prospecting.
  • Tincup Pass. West of Buena Vista (already in the Ordealist database).

Where to Camp

Multiple FS campgrounds on side roads off the byway: Collegiate Peaks, Cascade, Cottonwood Lake, Chalk Lake, Mount Princeton, and several Arkansas River-corridor sites managed by the BLM/Colorado Parks. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Buena Vista and Salida have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The byway itself is a comfortable corridor; the interest is the side roads. Plan a multi-day base camp at Buena Vista or Salida.
  • Mount Antero, Tincup Pass, and Cottonwood Pass are the three classic 4WD side trips off the byway.
  • Cottonwood Hot Springs and Mount Princeton Hot Springs are both worth a soak. Mount Princeton requires a fee; Cottonwood is privately developed.
  • The Arkansas River corridor is one of the busiest rafting zones in Colorado. Plan around put-ins on summer weekends.
  • Top off in Buena Vista, Salida, or Leadville. Smaller communities have limited services.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway?
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 57 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round.
When is the best time to visit Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Is there cell service at Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway?
Generally good through the corridor; service in all towns.