Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway

10/02/2026

We are one of 26 beautiful Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways to drive and explore the state.

From iconic mountain passes to thousands of miles of open road, Colorado's highway network has a history as dramatic as its landscape.

Centennial State Stats:
✔️ 55 billion vehicle-miles traveled annually
✔️ 89,955 miles of roads
✔️ 5,276,703 vehicle registrations
✔️ 4,533,480 licensed drivers

Historic mountain drives:
✔️ Pikes Peak Highway (1916): Home to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the second-oldest auto race in the U.S.
✔️ Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (1927): Reaches 14,130 feet, making it North America's highest paved highway.
✔️ Million Dollar Highway (US 550): Carved into southwestern cliffs with soaring vistas and zero guardrails.

10/02/2026

The Lodge at San Isabel - Cabins, Restaurant, & Store has reopened! Take a beautiful drive on CO Hwy 165 and welcome them back in full force! Visit Wet Mountain Valley

UPCOMING EVENTS!! We are RE-OPENING on September 25, 2026! We are excited to host LIVE MUSIC and other fun events throughout October in The Lodge Restaurant & Bar. Stay tuned for more updates and events!
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https://thelodgeatsanisabel.com/
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59 Co Rd 371, Rye, CO 81069
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09/15/2026

Take the byway to the charming town of Westcliffe, Colorado! Visit Wet Mountain Valley

Gaze into the cosmos at a certified Dark Sky community, where light pollution is a thing of the past. Link in comments to find out more. ⬇️

09/10/2026

https://www.heiditown.com/2026/09/09/frontier-pathways-scenic-historic-byway-itinerary/
Visit Wet Mountain Valley Visit Pueblo Visit Colorado

Frontier Pathways takes the byway driver through Colorado history as well as American history in just 103 miles of splendid scenery.

08/27/2026

Skip the tourism traffic Visit Wet Mountain Valley Small and scenic, with dramatic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Westcliffe is tucked into the Wet Mountain Valley. The town offers a scenic getaway among fourteeners and is a great area for hiking, fishing and more. It’s also an international Dark Sky Community, and offers great stargazing.

Send a message to learn more

08/12/2026

Bird's Eye View of Bishop Castle

Ever wanted to see the bird's eye view?

08/12/2026

We are happy to report CO Hwy 165, part of the Frontier Pathways, is open and is still a beautiful drive...as well as eye opening with the scars of fire and flood. We took a leisurely drive and had lunch at The Rye Cafe. If you are inclined to take a scenic drive to go support The Rye Cafe after being closed for a month while the Aspen Acres Fire burned. Friendly staff, good service and a great menu; we had the vegetarian pizza. Currently not sure of status of The Lodge at San Isabel - Cabins, Restaurant, & Store that had a lot of flood damage and all the campgrounds around Lake Isabel are closed.

08/08/2026

We are thankful Bishop Castle survived the Aspen Acre Fire.

Bishop Castle was spared from the devastating Aspen Acres Fire thanks to the dedicated work of firefighters from around the country to help battle the blaze. When the Bishop family returned to the fortress that their father, Jim, spent 50 years constructing, they were pleasantly surprised to find that the firefighters left behind a guestbook signed with their names and hometowns.

In addition to protecting what could be the largest one-man architecture project in the world, the firefighters left monetary donations to keep the late Jim Bishop’s vision for a freely accessible landmark alive.
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The Bishop Castle, near Fairview in Custer County. Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

06/16/2026

Take a drive on the byway and stay for the weekend to enjoy live theater at the Jones for the annual event - Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts Shakespeare in the Sangres!

1776 opens Friday, June 19 and Julia Caesar opens Friday, June 26. Get your tickets now - https://jonestheater.com/

04/23/2026

It's a wrap for the Colorado Byways Photo Exhibition at 3rd Street Gallery. We had over 600 visitors in 3 months! Many people were introduced to the endless beauty of our state. The exhibit has moved onto Durango. Big thanks to Lenore Bates!