Scenic Drives

Mountain roads worth slowing down for.

Passes, byways, and overlooks — with the seasonal closures and dog notes most drive guides skip.

Start here

The classic near Denver.

Route Georgetown (I-70) to Grant (US 285) — about 24 miles
Summit Tops out above 11,600 ft between Mount Bierstadt and the Mount Blue Sky massif
Season The summit section closes after Thanksgiving and reopens around Memorial Day — gates at Naylor Lake (Georgetown side) and Burning Bear Campground (Grant side)
Road Paved and passable for regular cars in season; steep grades — take it slow, and park fully off the pavement (county ordinance)
Dogs National forest trailheads line the byway; the summit is the trailhead for Mount Bierstadt
Camping note Dispersed camping along the pass is prohibited except designated areas near the Grant side
Dog-friendly stop Georgetown’s historic downtown makes a natural before-or-after stop

Seasonal closures: Most high passes close in winter — Guanella closes after Thanksgiving; always check current road conditions before trusting a summer route in October.
The national park catch: Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park is one of America’s great drives, but dogs can only get out at parking areas, picnic areas, and roadsides on a 6-foot leash — never on trails or tundra. Beautiful with a dog, but plan the day around car-window scenery and leg-stretch stops.
Altitude in the car: Crack windows and take breaks above 11,000 ft — dogs feel thin air even while riding.
Restraint: A crash-tested harness or secured crate matters more on steep mountain grades than anywhere else.
Never leave a dog in the car: Mountain sun is intense: on an 85° day a car can pass 100° in about ten minutes, even with windows cracked.

Seat protection, restraints, and travel bowls — the road trip kit is on the gear page.