Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways - 2024/2025

Distance: 57 miles • Allow 2 hours
Total elevation gain: 7,036–7,954 feet

To the west of this byway stands the apex of North America — the highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks from Alaska to Panama. To the east, four historic travel routes (the Arkansas River, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, the highway and a stagecoach road) parallel the journey. Therein lies the magic of the Collegiate Peaks Byway. At Buena Vista’s Turner Farm — with its farmhouse, barn and working apple orchard — travelers can gain an understanding of the historic backdrop of the Upper Arkansas River Valley. The highway follows the river downstream to Salida, one of Colorado’s largest districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to its eclectic galleries, cafes and restaurants, Salida offers travelers the unique experience of listening to live music at a rehabilitated historic steam plant. Salida also has one of the byway’s four hot springs (the other three, Mount Princeton, Charlotte and Cottonwood, are outside Buena Vista). The route goes west to Poncha Spring, known as the Crossroads of the Rockies, situated at the junction of US 285 and CO 50.