Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
4.5
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Popular route from Estes Park to Black Hawk.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,843 reviews
Excellent
1,401
Very good
332
Average
87
Poor
19
Terrible
4
LuRoss99
Oskaloosa, IA304 contributions
Jul 2020
Beautiful views and several fun towns to stop in along the way. Stop at Lily Lake for a short hike, Allensport has a great community info/local art gallery/ center with very helpful staff and clean restrooms. The Carousel of Happiness in Nederland is must-do stop if you are traveling with kids.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vickie C
Kennedale, TX60 contributions
Oct 2022
We started this route out of Black Hawk after a quick trip in a couple of casinos, the scenery is breathtaking and the drive is an easy one and not much traffic driving in on a Sunday, The Town of Nederland was having some kind of Festival as we drove through on a Sunday and the Town was packed, drove up into Allenspark and made a stop at the Chapel on the Rock which had just closed at 4 pm and made our way into Estes Park, as we left Estes on Thursday we were able to stop back by the Chapel on the Rock was able to go inside the Chapel and walk the grounds and visit the Gift Shop and just missed a Moose that resides in the trees outside the Chapel and as we headed back towards Black Hawk we stopped for a great meal in Nederland at the Covered Wagon Restaurant Awesome food. Nederland has a quirky bohemian feel to it and we enjoyed walking the shops of the little mountain valley town. This drive is so pleasant compared to I-25 and the traffic of Denver and construction.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madi K
Abingdon, MD5 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
We drove from Estes park to Black Hawk since we were going on our return flight out of Denver. It was very easy to navigate. However, since we already did the trails in RMNP and got to take in all those beautiful views, the scenic byway couldn’t be beat and didn’t seem necessary. The drive is beautiful but wont be beat if you already entered the park. It was nice to stop in Black Hawk though for a bit of Gambling - it’s a mini/mountain Las Vegas!
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven S
Des Moines, IA32 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
If you went to RMNP this won’t provide any better views but it’s still a good scenic route to get back to Denver. Some posts on the Web talk about going off on side roads and finding hidden lakes, etc but this is hard to do. Many of the side roads shown on Google maps are private roads. Nederland (some good places to eat) and Central City are very interesting. Also, there’s a mining ghost town that’s worth a short detour just off the road out of Central City that gets you to 70.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Springfield, MO3,236 contributions
Jul 2021
Lovely drive, and satisfied my cravings for other towns, ghost towns, and other views.
Central City and Nederland were especially worthy of stops, along with any trailheads you might see. We stopped at the lovely Sourdough Trailhead. Very peaceful. Nederland had the frozen dead guy! and the Carrousel of Happiness, shops and a supermarket, should you need it. Central city has the teller house, and Lots of casinos here now, but I quit after $5 and took home $6.
Central City and Nederland were especially worthy of stops, along with any trailheads you might see. We stopped at the lovely Sourdough Trailhead. Very peaceful. Nederland had the frozen dead guy! and the Carrousel of Happiness, shops and a supermarket, should you need it. Central city has the teller house, and Lots of casinos here now, but I quit after $5 and took home $6.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy_Well_Traveled
Columbus, OH14 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Really nice drive through the RMNP, a must do if you are visiting the area. The road is an easy drive by Colorado standards, but do remember to use lower gears when going down hills. Family enjoyed the many pull offs to see scenic views, and of course, the gift shops are a must! Lots of short or long hikes off the road one can do, but our kids were too young, so we drove the road end to end, with the aforementioned breaks along the way. Took us around 3 hours total (one way). During COVID the park requires a reservation for entry, so do plan ahead so you are not turned away at the gate (which I saw happen). Overall highly recommend!
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClickerM
Sandoval, IL467 contributions
Nov 2021
We drove Peak to Peak from Winter Park to Estes Park. Shortest route. The scenery is beautiful. You also pass through a couple old towns, only wish we had time to get out of the car and visit them (Central City and Blackhawk). We took alot of pictures on this highway, not going to post them...would be too many. We saw some wildlife on this highway, couple deer and an elk! Again, wish we would have had the time to stop and get out several times. Beautiful drive and despite ups, downs, curves...a safe highway. And we had decent cell phone service most of the time.
Written November 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,455 contributions
Jul 2020
Presumably you came to Rocky Mountain National Park to do the scenic byway and it does not disappoint. The roads are well marked. There are plenty of short hikes to go on. Beware of quickly changing weather. It took us about 2 and a half ours to go from Estes Park to Grand Lake and that seemed like just the right amount of time. Enough to enjoy everything but no too much to make ourselves tired.
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua Berkovitz
West Bloomfield, MI998 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
This place is a MUST VISIT during different seasons!!!
It is so beautiful and very unique.
The views are breathtaking and beautiful.
This time of the year with the snow and a beautiful sunny day, it was gorgeous!!!
A great photography area…
An amazing place for artists to explore and paint pictures…
A perfect place for hiking…
For sure a must visit place.
It is so beautiful and very unique.
The views are breathtaking and beautiful.
This time of the year with the snow and a beautiful sunny day, it was gorgeous!!!
A great photography area…
An amazing place for artists to explore and paint pictures…
A perfect place for hiking…
For sure a must visit place.
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penjewels
Columbia, TN77 contributions
Jul 2020
Peak to peak Scenic Byway was spectacular. It is not well advertised at the moment, but Rocky Mtn Natl Park requires a reservation if entering prior to 5PM. Looking for an alternative for the first day of our Estes Park trip, we came across this drive. We thoroughly enjoyed it! We found several happy little side roads to take on our GPS like the river road that took us along a small stream where we got to see beautiful wild flowers and of course the water. We also followed a couple of dirt roads I can’t name. Some circled back to the hwy and some we had to turn around on. Caught same great views that way. We grabbed lunch in Nederland on the balcony at Busey Brews Smokehouse which was quite good. And hopped back onto the Biway and took it all the way into Blackhawk where we stopped at a convenience store that had a fruit stand where I grabbed some fresh cherries and kettle corn. We accidentally missed the turn for 70 but ended up on 6 that led through the canyon along the Colorado River which was fabulous with the river and the long tunnels! Hopped out at one point the get some pics and then back on the road. That dropped us out in Golden Colorado and we followed our GPS back! Great way to spend the day!
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway have designated Scenic Overlooks and/or placed where you can safely pull over to the side of the road to take photos?
Written March 28, 2023
Peak to Peak Highway is a spectacular piece of driving. About 71 miles between Idaho Springs and Estes Park. And yes, there are several listed turn outs where you stop and enjoy the spectacular views, year-round. Several areas with spectacular view don't have specified turn outs and folk will pull off there to enjoy the view without regard to obvious traffic issues. It happens. Take your time and enjoy.
Written March 28, 2023
Hope someone can help.
We are leaving Buena Vista approx 8 am end of June, and want to drive Rt 24 N then 91 to 70 to Peak to Peak highway to Estes.
Can someone help me with, Driving time alone, without stops. We want to see if its practical to do this in one day?
Thanks
Scott G.
Written May 9, 2021
Yes you should have plenty of time to enjoy
We left from Breckenridge
In a snow storm and made it to Estes park in 3 hours
Written May 11, 2021
Any ideas of places to eat on the peak to peak between before we get to Estes ?
Thanks in advance
Written April 22, 2019
We like the Meadow Mountain café in Allen park, Colorado. It's a funky sort of place with good food. Allenpark is located about 30 minutes south of Estes Park on Highway #7. They're open 7:30am-2pm. I would eat here again.
Written April 23, 2019
How long is the ride from estes to boulder on the peak to peak scenic byway
Written April 7, 2019
An hour or so. It depends how many stops you take.
Written April 8, 2019
We will be going to Estes Park at the end of January as a couples retreat. What would be fun things to do during that time?
Written December 31, 2018
I'm not sure what will actually be available, but there may be some activities or areas that may be available in Rocky Mountain national Park . I would contact the park to see which areas or activities are possible.
Written January 1, 2019
Is scenic byway open around early February? If not any byway suggestions near that are opn.
Written December 28, 2018
The Peak to Peak Byway is open year-round. However, you need to check for weather and see if areas of the road are closed. Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to Grand Lake will be closed in February.
Written December 29, 2018
Mindysue852
Omaha, Nebraska
We're planning a trip next June. Do people generally prefer driving from Estes to Grand Lake or Grand Lake to Estes for the best views? Or does it make a difference? We are only going one way or the other.
Written December 20, 2018
We drove from Estes Park to Grand Lake. We were there in August and we took Old Fall River Road. A few years back, we were in Estes Park in June and the road was still closed because of snow. It is a beautiful drive.
Written December 21, 2018
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