One of the best parts of autumn in Colorado is the changing of the fall colors in the high country. This year, however, will be bringing an early change of season as leaves in the high country are already beginning to turn. If you want to get a jump on the best places in northern Colorado to see this year’s leaves turning, and where to find the best places, you’ve found the right place.
When to See the Changing Leaves
Every year is different, and the 2025 Fall Foliage change is no exception. This year it looks as though the leaves are beginning to turn earlier than previous years, with many aspens already revealing their golds and yellows at higher altitude. This early change may be due to a drier than usual summer and colder nights starting in mid-August.
Trees begin to lose their leaves as a way to conserve energy during times of scarcity of water and light. There’s no telling whether or not this means an early winter for North Park, but it could mean an earlier end to leaf peeping season in the high country, so it’s not a bad idea to plan your visit now so you don’t miss the beautiful fall colors for 2025.
Mid to late September will likely be peak leaf viewing in North Park. The leaves are already beginning to turn. Some of the aspens in Gould that typically lead the charge for fall colors have already gone to gold and are on their way out. This might be due to a mild winter, dry summer, and onset of cooler evening temperatures starting in early August. In the central Rocky Mountains, according to fall foliage maps, the peak season will already be done before the middle of October this year.
Why do the leaves change color in fall?
Leaves change color when trees begin to conserve their resources for winter. The chloroplasts—the parts of the plant cells that aid in photosynthesis—begin to fade out and the natural color of the leaf is what remains. In Colorado, you’ll see the forests erupt in shimmering golds, yellows, and even red. The pine trees (which don’t lose their needles in the winter) remain dark green, giving a striking contrast to the changing colors of aspens, willows, and even shrubs. The variation of texture and color is different than other parts of the country where hardwoods are typically the dominating type of trees.
“How to Find the Fall Colors Near Me”
Look for the aspens!
Colorado has some beautiful forests, but the main trees you will see in the high country that reveal their colors in the fall are going to be aspen trees. Aspens are part of a complex progression of alpine forest, serving as an intermediate between low brush and shrubs and pine forests.
Did you know that a grove of aspen trees is likely the same organism? One of the largest living creatures on planet earth is a grove of aspen trees in central Utah called “Pando”. This grove of trees in Fishlake National Forest is one organism. As with all quaking aspen trees, groves are usually one organism, created by cloning. This is why we get swathes of the same color trees covering large areas, with each organism distinguished by the color of its leaves.
Other shrubs and trees show their colors in the fall as well. Fruit bearing trees such as crabapples, bramble bushes, red willows, and cotton woods are some of the leaf-bearing plants that change color in the fall, each contributing to the beautiful display of color in the mountains.
Make North Park Your Destination to See the Leaves
If you are new to Colorado or simply looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to see the Fall colors, North Park is a nearby destination that offers some of the best leaf viewing in Colorado. Unlike more developed areas such as Aspen, or distant areas such as Crested Butte, North Park is close to the Front Range without being part of the mess known as the I-70 corridor. What’s more is the different ways you can check out the leaves during late summer and early fall.
Take a Drive
Getting out of the city has its perks, and one of the best is the chance to wind your way through the mountains to see views unlike any other. Just about any drive into North Park will take you over a mountain pass and with the ride, you’ll get an eye-full of color this fall. Here’s the best mountain passes to see the autumn leaves on a drive.
Muddy Pass: At the intersection of US 40 and HWY 14 between Steamboat Springs and Kremling, you’ll find Muddy Pass on North Park’s southern end. Nearby Spicer Peak, Bear Mountain, and the Never Summer Mountains are some of the best places in Colorado to see fall leaves.
Rabbit Ears Pass: The distinctive volcanic peak of Rabbit Ears Peak has been a landmark for travelers through North Park for literally thousands of years. Surrounding Rabbit Ears Peak, you’ll find plenty of aspen trees and shrubs that light up the mountains in the fall.
Cameron Pass: HWY 14 between Ft. Collins, CO and Walden, CO are designated as the Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway. Along the length of this winding road that flanks the Cache la Poudre River and reaches its peak at Cameron Pass, this is one of North Park’s earliest areas to turn in the fall, and one of its most scenic views. With the Nokhu Crags, Montgomery Pass, and Mt. Richthofen within sight, the fall colors are just the icing on the cake.
Willow Creek Pass: Gateway to Grand County, travelers typically use Hwy 127 from Walden to Granby, CO to reach Rocky Mountain National Park. In spite of the recent fires in 2020, the area is making a comeback. Aspens and leaf-bearers are usually the first to return to burned out areas. The presence of aspens means the area is healing and it will be impressive to see in upcoming years.
Routt-Medicine Bow National Forest: The National Forest is a big part of North Park’s network of public lands, composed of forested areas near Gould, Rand, Pearl, Big Creek Lakes, Teal and Tiago Lakes, Spicer Peak, and even north of State Forest State Park near the Wyoming border. County roads and Forest Service roads will take you throughout these areas with some prime leaf-viewing opportunities for casual viewers and photographers alike.
Buffalo Pass: This road over the Park Range is often the bane of traveller’s existences, since many GPS apps mistake this very difficult mountain road for a shorter path between Walden and Steamboat Springs. It isn’t. The rocky conditions, washouts, and narrow grade down sometimes steep mountain roads are better suited to 4x4s with high clearance or snowmobiles in the winter. If you have the vehicle capable of tackling this road, you will be in for some incredible views between Walden and Steamboat, CO.
Take a Hike
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience fall in Colorado. Just remember that you are sharing the trail with animals preparing for a long winter as well as hunters and ungulates beginning the fall rut. Use caution on the trail, wear bright colors (especially hunter orange during hunting season in October), and give wildlife plenty of room to avoid interaction.
Check out these hot spots for leaf peeping in Jackson County for your next hike:
Rainbow Lakes: Near Red Canyon on the Park Range side of North Park. This trail system is some of the most lush and beautiful in Jackson County, CO.
Grizzly-Helena Trail: At the foot of the Zirkels and near Big Creek Lakes and Red Canyon, this trail system is extensive with plenty of wonderful views of aspen groves and glaciated mountains.
Kelly Lake: One of the best hikes in Colorado State Forest State Park, the hike to Kelly Lake is often strenuous but the views are worth every step.
Lake Agnes: One of the most picturesque mountain lakes in Colorado, period. The views you’ll get here are unlike any other.
CDT: The Continental Divide Trail runs along the southern edge of Jackson County, with access points on County Rd 53 and Rabbit Ears Pass (where it shares the path with the Wyoming Trail).
NoCo Trail: This new thru-hike route between Estes Park and Glenwood Springs follows the ridgeline of the Medicine Bow Range from Cameron Pass all the way to Shipman Park before cutting back down into North Park and then crossing back to the Park Range. Thru-hikers are cautioned against extreme weather conditions and hibernation. Foraging bears on the Wyoming Trail who feast on bramble berries prior to hibernation.
Stay the Weekend
Check out some of our previous articles about best places to stay in Walden and North Park. With so much ground to cover on your visit, you will want to make a weekend or even a week out of the experience!
- Lake John Resort
- State Forest State Park
- Ranger Lakes
- Bockman campground
- Powderhorn Cabins
- Yonder Yurts
- Old Homestead
- Vacation rentals
Visit North Park for Fall Colors and Much More!
Leaf viewing season is quickly approaching and with that chill in the air, we might be looking at an earlier winter than recent years. Seeing the leaves change is often a bittersweet time of year in the Colorado mountains. With one final flash of color, we soon see the return of a long winter and faded memories of summer. For some, the arrival of fall means the return of hunting season and then winter recreation. Keep checking this site for more information as the seasons come and go. Subscribe to our substack newsletter for regular updates, contests, and seasonal roundups of what’s happening in North Park. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram! We are looking forward to your visit!
