Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways: Frontier Pathways

Pueblo to Westcliffe or Colorado City

If you’re looking to spend a day shifting into a lower gear and generally slowing down, head to a place where the prairie meets the mountains. This road is laid out a little like a wishbone and showcases the vast diversity of Colorado’s geography. There are views of the Sangre de Cristo range plus ample places to stop and explore switchbacks and singletrack at Greenhorn, Hogback, and Table mountains.

Roadside Attraction

For more than half a century, amateur builder Jim Bishop has used stone and iron to cobble together his piecemeal Bishop Castle, an elaborate three-story marvel that you can tour for free or just admire from the parking lot. 12705 CO 165, Rye, 719-564-4366

’Grammable Spot

You can’t take a bad photo at tree-lined, turquoise Lake Isabel in the Wet Mountains. For a frigid dip, hike to the nearby natural waterslide.

Refuel

Bingo Burger has served up patties mixed with roasted chiles for more than a decade, so it’s about time you try one. 101 Central Plaza, Pueblo, 719-225-8363

Go Now

Forget about New Mexico’s Hatch chiles at this celebration of the Centennial State’s version—called the Pueblo or mirasol—at the 25th annual Chile & Frijoles Festival. Sept. 20 to 22; Pueblo