Where to see fall colors near Boulder County

If you go: Peak to Peak Highway runs through western Boulder County and is a great option for those looking to avoid a long drive and the largest crowds.

• The 55 miles of roadway wind through mountain towns, national forest and a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, starting in Estes Park and ending in Black Hawk.
• You can also stop at mountain towns like Allenspark and Nederland along the way.

Dive in: But don't just stay in your car — there are lots of trails along the way.

• The highway will take you past Lily Lake, the Twin Sisters trailheads and the entrance for Wild Basin, all in Rocky Mountain National Park. Remember, if you're going into the park, you need a timed entry reservation.
• Looking to avoid the park? Kylie Bearse, the founder of Approachable Outdoors, recommends Gem Lake in Estes Park or Raccoon Trail at Golden Gate Canyon State Park at the southern end of Peak to Peak Highway.

💭 My thought bubble: My personal favorite spot is not in Boulder County: Lower Cataract Lake just outside Silverthorne. It's not thought of as a leaf-peeping hot spot, but the drive up has plenty of trees changing, and there's a nice aspen grove next to the lake.

• Oh, and it has perhaps the most autumnal spot to poop in the outdoors, in case that is a thing you were looking for.