Eastern Colorado is a stunner in the autumn, when the leaves begin to turn and folks dust off their fire pits to warm the cool, crisp evenings. One of the best things about fall in and around Denver is the changing foliage—the saturated yellows, glowing oranges, and vivid reds—that invite you out for a leisurely drive or an invigorating mountain hike. Add some friends to the mix and top it all off with a fall-inspired local craft brew at the end of the adventure, and you’ve got all the makings of a perfect September day.  Keep reading to find enough awesome autumn adventures to fill your weekends until winter.

Where to go in Denver this fall

1. Experience the Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park

Prepare a killer playlist, pack some snacks, and embark on an inspiring scenic drive along one of North America’s most beautiful byways. The Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park takes you up to 12,183 feet through alpine tundra and subalpine forests, offering extravagant, sweeping views of the majestic mountains and plenty of adorbs wildlife spottings. Eleven miles of the road are above the treeline, giving you dizzying views of some of the most famous mountains in the world.

Where: US 34 from Grand Lake to Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park 

2. Drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Another sweet drive takes you along 55 miles’ worth of astonishing views of the Continental Divide. You’ll pass through Rocky Mountain National Park and Golden Gate Canyon State Park, among others, and if you take one of the gravel roads that crisscross the main highway, you might stumble upon a ghost town circa the Gold Rush or find a sweet high-country lake. In the fall, the aspens that carpet the landscape as far as the eye can see turn a brilliant, glowing gold, making this a spectacular autumn drive.

Where: CO Hwy 7, Estes Park, CO

3. Take a hike to Elk Falls Overlook at Staunton State Park

Elk Falls is the highest waterfall near Denver, and it’s only been accessible to the public since 2013. Just 50 minutes from downtown Denver, Elk Falls offers an eye-popping, four- to six-hour, 10.8-mile round trip hiking adventure. You’ll gain 900 feet of elevation, making it a moderately difficult trail, and along the way, you’ll see rock formations, meadows, pine forests, ponds, and all manner of wildlife.

Where: Via US-285 S

4. Hike the Devil’s Head Lookout Trail

For a shorter hike that allows you more time to linger with the autumn scenery, try Devil’s Head Lookout Trail. Clocking in at just 2.7 miles round trip, this moderate trail features a river that runs through it, and it’s shaded by mixed pine and aspen forests. From some lookout points, you can see for a hundred miles or more. Devil’s Head, your destination, is a giant granite outcropping that’s visible from far afield. It’s home to the only National Forest Service-manned fire lookout, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Where: Ten miles west of Sedalia, CO on Hwy 67

5. Celebrate Everything German at Breckenridge Oktoberfest

The 23rd annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest is the autumn party to end all parties. You’ll find dozens of bonafide German cuisine vendors and purveyors of craft bier everywhere you look. Play German games like Hammerschlagan, and bust a move at a polka dance party rife with Bavarian lederhosen. Activities for the kids abound, and you can get in on the pre-festival 5K if you want to proactively burn all the calories you’re about to consume in bier and sausages.

When: September 8, 9, and 10

Where: Main Street, Downtown Breckenridge, CO

6. Take the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

The Guanella Pass Road takes you right over 11,669-foot Guanella Pass, offering heart-stopping views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt. Start out in Grant, and make your way through some dazzling fall scenery as you traverse spruce, lodgepole pine, and aspen forests. You’ll pass by streams, lakes, and small meadows with grazing mule deer and bighorn sheep. Twenty-two miles later, you’ll end up in the historic mining town of Georgetown, which is resplendent with restaurants and tourist attractions.

Where: U.S. Route 285 at Grant, CO

7. Ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad

For a truly unique way to relax and see the sights, look no further than the Georgetown Loop Railroad, nestled high in the Rocky Mountains. Secure a bench in the coach car, a table in the parlor car, or a comfy chair in the stately Presidential/Waldorf car, and enjoy the colorful foliage and inspiring vistas as you chug along from Georgetown to Silver Plume and back.

When: Times vary

Where: 646 Loop Drive, Georgetown, CO

8. Savor some cold ones at New Terrain Brewing Company

New Terrain Brewing Company in Golden is a king-size brewery with a small-town feel. Warm woodwork and comfy seating inside and a spacious beer garden outside invite you to stay a while and sample your fill of delicious New Terrain brews. If you like a little adventure with your beer, participate in New Terrain’s North Table Mountain Monday Night Run Club, Tuesday night’s Yoga on Tap, or Wednesday’s Wheeling Wanderers, all from 6pm to 7pm. Thursdays feature live music from 6pm to 9pm, and local food trucks are always on hand from open to close.

When: Mon – Sun, 12pm – 9pm

Where: 16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden, CO

9. Hike the Elk Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park

The Elk Valley Trail is a 4.8-mile out-and-back hike offering incredible views of the red rock formations in the area as well as lush meadows rife with wildlife like mule deer, eagles, and foxes. You’ll head through passageways of scrub oak trees towering over the trail, emerge into a lush meadow framed by spectacular red rock outcroppings, and track through forests and oak thickets before hitting the trail’s end, which rewards you with a sweet, sweeping view of Elk Valley below.

Where: 4751 Roxborough Dr, Littleton, CO 

10. Hike the Mountain Lion Trail at Golden Gate Canyon State Park

A challenging trail with a big payoff, the 6.7-mile Mountain Lion Trail at Golden Gate Canyon State Park gains 1,230 feet in elevation and moves you through open meadows, aspen and pine tree stands, rolling hills, and evergreen forests. At mile 3.6, take a side trip to Windy Peak, where you’ll be gobsmacked by glorious 360-degree views of the mountains. Keep your eyes peeled–and your camera ready–for all manner of wildlife.

Where: Off Crawford Gulch Road at Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Winter is close—you can feel it in the air. Get out and about while it’s still easy, and make the most of the last vestiges of beautiful weather before the snow covers it all up.