Scenic Driving at 13,000 ft

One of the most scenic drives near Buena Vista is following US-50 west over Monarch Pass, where you cross the Continental Divide at 11,312 ft. The drive climbs through the Sawatch Range with sweeping alpine views before descending toward the Gunnison Valley.

From here, you can easily turn the trip into a longer adventure by continuing to nearby mountain towns. Crested Butte is about 2 hours from the Surf Hotel, known for its wildflowers, historic downtown, and classic Colorado mountain charm. Aspen is about 1 hour 45 minutes away via Independence Pass (seasonal), offering dramatic alpine scenery, great restaurants, and beautiful hiking.

It’s an easy and incredibly scenic way to explore some of Colorado’s most iconic mountain landscapes in a single day.