Ahhh the leaves. So many wonderful things about the fall season, but one of the best has to be the changing leaves from green to gold of the aspens. We hope this can be a resource to venture out on your own fall color adventure from Laramie as it is such an underrated destination for leaf peeping. We have put together a brief itinerary of some great spots below.
Make Laramie, WY your basecamp for fall color adventure. We like to stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in town as it is conveniently located for all of our adventures, but there are so many great lodging options to choose from. When we arrive into town, we make sure to grab dinner downtown. You can walk the streets and see all of the cute shops as well as tons of public art. We have taken this tour and it is a fun way to see downtown and explore the creativity around. Once you have worked up an appetite, one of our favorite eateries is Crowbar and Grill. All of their pizzas are tasty and you MUST get the Pad Thai Fries for a twist on classic french fries.
Pro tip: Did you know they have one of the BEST happy hours around? If you like craft beer, this is the place for you!
The next morning, we recommend heading out early to get to the colors so we head towards Hwy 130 and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway! This drive is beautiful at any time of year (except in the winter when the road is closed) but the fall is a special time. Our first big stop along the drive for fall colors is in Centennial for some coffee at The Coffee Corral, this helps us fuel up for our adventures ahead.
Sand Lake Road is our first stop on Hwy 130 and right as you turn off you will start seeing changing color aspens! Perfect pit stop for a photo op. You can also continue along this road for hikes or just to enjoy a drive in nature.
Continuing along the scenic byway there are so many places to stop and enjoy the beauty or grab a quick hike or walk amongst the mountain views. After you crest the top near Medicine Bow Peak (which makes the perfect stop for a mid-day picnic), you will start descending into Ryan Park and you will see aspen groves right along the road. It is another great chance for some fall color photos or walks through the trees.
We recommend taking the scenic byway all the way to Treasure Island - an island located on the North Platte River that is both fun and fall colors. There is a suspension bridge to cross the river, tons of fall colors, and it is a unique hidden gem for fishing or just enjoying a nature walk through the woods. From here, you can start making your way back toward Laramie!
Pro tip - hit the top of the scenic byway at sunset for some amazing views of Medicine Bow Peak! After a day full of adventure - the perfect dinner pit stop is Bear Bottom Grill in Centennial where you can pair some beers with comfort food.
On your second day, take a slow morning and get breakfast at J’s Prairie Rose Cafe who has been in business for 17 years serving up scratch-made cuisine! The breakfast burrito with green chile is AMAZING! After you are fueled up and ready to go, the last stop for fall colors - Vedauwoo Recreation Area - is about a 30-minute drive from Laramie.
This location is known for its numerous outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and climbing, but it is also a hidden gem for some fall colors! It is a great way to see the leaves paired with a plethora of outdoor adventures to spend the day. This is one of our favorite hikes in the area and there are some great opportunities for aspen viewing. That wraps up a fun, fall-filled weekend in Laramie!
