Have two days to explore the Wet Mountain Valley? Follow our one-day itinerary and then drive the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway on day two.
The 100-mile Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway runs from Westcliffe to Pueblo, and Westcliffe to Colorado City. Snow-capped mountains, jagged canyons, carpeted meadows and aspen-striped hillsides make this one of the most stunning drives in Colorado.
Along the Westcliffe to Colorado City drive, stop at Bishop Castle, a stone, steel and iron fortress built singlehandedly by Jim Bishop. Bishop Castle is free and open to the public during daylight hours.
Just a few miles south of the castle, you’ll find Lake Isabel along the CO 165 portion of Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway. This popular camping destination not only offers an afternoon filled with beautiful scenery but also excellent fishing, paddling, hiking, biking and trails for ATVs. Stop for lunch and then rent a boat in the summer at the Lodge at San Isabel Restaurant. Or book a room there for the night and stay on to enjoy the area. In the winter, San Isabel offers groomed snowmobile trails that also draw cross-country skiers.
On your way back to Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, sidetrack to Rosita, the town that started it all for Custer County. Now a quiet residential community, Rosita was the site of the 1875 copper and silver strike that drew hundreds of miners and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad to the Wet Mountain Valley.
Enjoy dinner at Chappy’s Woodfired Grill, and then check into one of Ravens’ Lodging and Extended Stays – upscale, multi-room suites and cottages that offer the ultimate in comfort and amenities during your stay while enjoying the overwhelming beauty of the Wet Mountain Valley in Westcliffe, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.
Ready for more? Explore our three-day itinerary!
