Skyline Drive is a designated scenic route in Colorado.
Skyline Drive is a scenic roadway in Cañon City, Colorado. It was built by inmate labor in 1905. The road starts from U.S. Highway 50 and gradually inclines up the side of a ridge. When the road crests, it winds, climbs, and falls like a roller coaster until near its end, where a scenic outlook overlooks both the city to the east and the highway to the west. The single-lane, one-way road rises about 800 feet (240 meters) above the surrounding terrain. There are no guardrails despite sharp drop-offs, and the drive is about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long. The road ends in a residential neighborhood, and becomes a residential street that intersects with 5th Street, where signs point south toward US 50 and "Historic Downtown Cañon City," allowing drivers to head downtown and return to the highway.From Wikipedia — Skyline Drive (Colorado), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Top locations in Colorado
Dark Sky PlaceNucla
Dark Sky PlaceSilver Cliff
Dark Sky PlaceNorwood
Dark Sky PlaceNaturita
Dark Sky PlaceBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Dark Sky PlaceWestcliffe
Dark Sky PlaceGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Mountain PeakMount Elbert
Mountain PeakPikes Peak
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.