A part of the Colorado River Headwaters Byway in Grand County, Colorado. This picture shows U.S. Route 40 in Byers Canyon between Parshall, Colorado and Hot Sul
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Colorado River Headwaters Byway

Scenic byway · Colorado

Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0 · source

Colorado River Headwaters Byway is a designated scenic route in Colorado, about 69 km (43 mi) long.

The Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway is an 80-mile (129 km) National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Eagle and Grand counties, Colorado, US. The byway follows the upper Colorado River from Grand Lake down to State Bridge. The byway connects with the Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway at Grand Lake.From Wikipedia — Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo stops along the way

Byers CanyonCanyon
Byers Canyon2.5 km away · Grand County
Byers Peak WildernessWilderness Area
Byers Peak Wilderness27 km away · Grand County
Parkview MountainMountain Peak
Parkview Mountain29 km away · Grand County · 3,748 m
Shadow Mountain LookoutFire Lookout
Shadow Mountain Lookout30 km away · Grand County
Willow Creek PassMountain Pass
Willow Creek Pass31 km away · Grand County · 2,944 m
Grand LakeLake
Grand Lake31 km away · Grand County
Adams FallsWaterfall
Adams Falls32 km away · Grand County · 2,584 m
Never Summer WildernessWilderness Area
Never Summer Wilderness34 km away · Grand County
Gore CanyonCanyon
Gore Canyon36 km away · Eagle County
Scenic Viewpoint
Moffat Overlook36 km away · Grand County · 2,781 m
Waterfall
Cascade Falls36 km away · Grand County · 2,682 m
Arapaho PassMountain Pass
Arapaho Pass37 km away · Boulder County · 3,629 m

Tips for scenic drive photography

  • Drive the route in both directions — the views change completely.
  • Plan stops for golden hour at the highest overlooks; use pull-outs, never stop on the roadway.
  • Check seasonal closures for high-elevation roads before you go.
  • A polarizer cuts windshield-like glare on wet roads and foliage.