Photo by David Herrera on Flickr

The scenic route from Denver to Crestone is only slightly longer (20-30 minutes) than the usual route through Fairplay (Rt. 285), and is much more spectacular, crossing high mountain passes and the headwaters of major river systems. However, beware of winter storms and weekend traffic on I70! That said …

The scenic route follows I70 west over the Continental Divide via Eisenhower Tunnel (or via a spectacular drive over Loveland Pass) and then descends into Summit County, ski hub of Colorado, and headwaters of the Colorado River.

At Copper Mountain, the route leaves I70 follows Rt. 91 south over Fremont Pass (passing the enormous Climax Mine) and then descends into the Arkansas River Valley. The route passes through the mining town of Leadville (the highest town in Colorado), Buena Vista (rafting hub of Colorado), and Poncha Springs near Salida.

From Poncha Springs, the route climbs over Poncha Pass and then descends into the San Luis Valley and the Rio Grande River drainage.

Open the map in a browser or on our phone

Hot Springs

The route passes close to four hot springs. Indian Hot Springs (along I70 in Idaho Springs) is a good bet if you have extra time on your way back to Denver. Otherwise, we would recommend the southern hot springs.

Cottonwood Hot Springs west of Buena Vista and Mount Princeton Hot Springs west of Nathrop are both worth a visit.

Joyful Journey Hot Springs and Valley View Hot Springs located closer to Crestone are both great options if you arrive early or have time during your return journey. See our post, Hot Springs Near Crestone.

Stretch Your Legs! Hiking, Biking, and X-Country Skiing

Colorado offers so many opportunities for outdoor activities, and here are just a couple of ideas for taking a break on the drive from Denver to Crestone, For hiking, try Mayflower Gulch Trail on the north side of Fremont Gulch. Details are available on All Trails (see a map of the area; trail details are available by signing up for a free account).

For biking and x-country skiing, consider a jaunt on the Mineral Belt Trail, a 12-mile ski and bike loop that circumnavigates the town of Leadville. Bikes are available for rent at the Cycles of Life Shop in town, and x-country skis are available at Leadville Ski Country.

Places to Stay

The different Hot Springs venues are a good place to check, as is AirBnB.

Shopping

Crestone has small but well-stocked food stores markets, at the Elephant Cloud (organic market), and the Cresetone Mercantile (conventional).

Supermakets are also available along the route from Denver. On the Scenic Route, City Market in Silverthorne is the largest, and next door is a Walgreens pharmacy and liquor store. We like to stop at the Safeway in Leadville – it’s small but well stocked, and quick.

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A few tips for your visit. The Spring Crane Viewing pamphlet has essential information and a map of viewing areas. Here is an annotated version of the map, with red arrows showing some key viewing areas:

And here is the same area on a Google maps areal photo, showing the crop circles where the birds feed:

And if you happen to be staying in Crestone, here is the route to the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge, but don’t miss the crane art on the main street of Monte Vista:

The best time to visit is early morning and evening, as the sun is rising and setting.

Don’t forget your binoculars (!), and consider combining your visit with a trip to the Great Sand Dunes or the Hooper Hot Spring Pool just north of Hooper

Cranes of the World, a wonderful presentation by Sandra Knoll

Resources

Monte Vista Crane Festival, held every March

Friends of the San Luis Valley Wildlife Refuges

International Crane Foundation

See the live webcam of the cranes migrating through Nebraska; especially beautiful at dawn and dusk, and at night too!

Image Credit

Sandhill crane photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

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Joyful Journey Hot Springs

Joyful Journey Hot Springs consists of three pools of hot, medium, and cooler temperatures, all fed with untreated geothermal waters. One enters the pool area through a small spa building that has dressing rooms and a sauna.

The hot springs are 30 minutes from Crestone, and they also make for a good stop if you are driving to or from Denver. Various lodging options are available, including motel-style rooms, yurts, teepees, and camping.

See the Joyful Journey Website for Hours and Pricing

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Photo by James Mertz on Unsplash

The Great Sand Dunes are highlighted in the setting sun at the base of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Great Sand Dunes National Park is a destination for many guests staying at the Delightful Dome in Crestone. Crestone is located beneath the rugged peaks on the far left in the photo. The highest dunes are 700-800 feet tall!

En route to the Sand Dunes are several notable attractions. Click the location map below for a Google summary, and see the information below.

Places to Visit

• Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is located south of the Dunes along a seasonal creek. Website
• The Sand Dunes Loop Trail is a great 5-mile hike, and the 650-foot tall High Dune is a worthy destination! All Trails Website.
• Sand Dunes Hot Spring Pools near Hooper are in an adult-only greenhouse (yes, there is a bar!) – a nice way to finish the day! Watch for the turn off Rt. 285 just north of the Hooper gas station. May be closed one day each week. Website / See our post, Hot Springs Near Crestone.
• Colorado Gators Reptile Park near Mosca is a very cool place! Website.
• Zapata Falls south of the Sand Dunes is best during the warmer months (summer and fall). Website.
• UFO Watchtower in Center. Quirky and eccentric, but hey! Website.

More Info

Websites

• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Sand Dunes Hot Spring Pools
• Colorado Gators Reptile Park
• Zapata Falls
• UFO Watchtower

Please get in touch with any questions about your trip. We love this area!

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