Colorado's Hidden Scenic Byway Spotlighted
A Colorado Scenic Byway through canyons and historic towns gained attention on February 16 as far off the tourist radar, receiving 2 likes from road trip enthusiasts. Travel content creators are also highlighting Ashley National Forest's geological wonders south of Flaming Gorge and rough dirt roads to Arizona Strip near Grand Canyon for side-by-side vehicle rentals.
- The spotlighted route is likely the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway, a 486-mile loop through Colorado and Utah known for its significant dinosaur fossil quarries. The Colorado portion, designated in 1997, covers 134 miles through several counties including Mesa and Moffat. - Another possibility is the 133-mile Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway in western Colorado, which is noted for being off the beaten path and showcasing raw, untouched scenery through gorges and plateaus. - Historic features along the Dinosaur Diamond byway include the Canyon Pintado Historic District near Rangely, which showcases petroglyphs and pictographs from the Fremont and Ute cultures. The Unaweep Tabeguache byway features the historic Hanging Flume, a structure built in the 1880s to service gold miners. - Ashley National Forest, located in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming, covers over 1.3 million acres with elevations ranging from 6,000 to over 13,500 feet. A key feature is the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, created by the Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River. - The forest is named after General William Henry Ashley, who explored the area in 1825 while leading a team of fur traders. It contains Utah's highest point, Kings Peak, at 13,528 feet. - The Arizona Strip, located in northeastern Arizona north of the Colorado River, offers thousands of miles of dirt roads and two-track trails for off-road vehicles. The area's terrain ranges from desert landscapes to pine forests and provides access to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. - Side-by-side vehicle rentals in the Arizona Strip area are offered by several companies, providing access to a network of trails that connect with popular Utah off-roading areas like Sand Hollow State Park and the Warner Valley Trails.
