5 Best Hikes for Fall Color Viewing {2022} – in Summit County, Colorado

Welcome to the fall color display in Summit County, Colorado! I have complied the 5 best hikes for fall {2022} color viewing that are easy & fun trails for everyone.

Clinton Reservoir, Leadville Colorado.

This is an easy 2 mile loop around the beautiful Clinton Reservoir (which is also a popular place to paddle board) on your drive up Highway 91 from Summit County, Colorado (near Frisco) to Leadville. The reservoir is at high elevation near the continental divide and offers stunning views of the west side of the Tenmile Range, providing a high alpine experience for kids and families. The elevation gained along the loop is minimal, but roots and rocks along the trail, along with the relatively high elevation make this an adventure none-the-less.

Clinton Reservoir in September: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/clinton-gulch-dam-reservoir

Keystone Gulch Road, Keystone Colorado.

Choose your own adventure – choose your mileage (loop is listed as 18 miles) and hike the road that hugs a scenic river or jump on the hiking trail from the parking lot that will take you through golden aspens and links to many other nearby hiking trails including the Aqueduct trail! Park at the Keystone Gulch Road trailhead off Keystone Ranch Rd in the heart of Keystone. A good goal is to hike up to one of the first ski lifts which is about 3 miles in.

Keystone Gulch, Keystone Colorado: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/keystone-gulch . This is one I love to take Honey on!

Old Dillon Reservoir, near Frisco, Colorado.

This short hike offers the best panoramic views of Summit County without the elevation gain that some of the more strenuous hikes demand. Take the Dillon Dam Road and find the trailhead to a 1.7 mile out and back that takes you through pine and aspen tree to a clear view point of the lake. This is the perfect short hike for quick visits and children.

Old Dillon Reservoir located near Frisco, Colorado: https://www.theoutbound.com/colorado/hiking/hike-to-old-dillon-reservoir. We hiked this one a little past the fall colors (thus the snow fall), but even through November some years you can enjoy some colors and change of season.

Acorn Creek Trailhead, near Silverthorne, Colorado.

This is one of the most scenic trails to view the Gore Range of mountains, with unique access to mixed pine and aspen forests, fields of wildflowers, and native shrub lands. This is a more strenuous, 7 mile hike (out and back) with some elevation gain, but enjoyable at whatever distance you decide to go. I LOVED doing the entire distance (bring plenty of water, food, and a rain jacket) to enjoy the late summer/early fall change of wildflowers.

Acorn Creek Trail, Silverthorne Colorado: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/acorn-creek-trail.

Dillon Nature Preserve, Dillon Colorado.

This is my favorite hiking trailhead close to my home in Keystone. The large trailhead offers ample parking and access to either forested hiking trails (I love the Ridgeline trail about 3 miles total), but you can also take the 2 mile gravel trail to enjoy views of the whole county, the lake, and a more open panorama. The gravel trail is also very dog friendly and fun place for them to play off leash. With multiple options to choose from, you will find something that makes everyone happy at this trailhead! When we have people visiting from low elevation we always enjoy the gravel trail.

Dillon, Colorado: https://www.townofdillon.com/parks-rec/nature-preserve.

Let me know how your hiking experience was and happy fall! I hope you can take in the colors, beautiful mountain landscapes and visit Summit County, Colorado again soon.

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