---
id: "2119"
name: Top of the Rockies
distance: "75"
duration: 2.5 hours to drive or a couple of days to visit the byway
description: With altitudes seldom dipping below 9,000 feet, this byway earns its name. Visit historic mining railroad towns en route to historic Leadville, the highest incorporated community in the U.S. Old mining camps attest to the state's rich mining heritage. The route crosses the Continental Divide twice and traces the Arkansas River.
path:
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websites:
  - url: https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/south-central/top-rockies
    name: Colorado Byways
  - url: https://www.colorado.com/byways/top-rockies
    name: Colorado Travel Guide
  - url: https://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/topoftherockies.html
    name: Colorado Vacation Directory
  - url: https://nsbfoundation.com/nb/top-of-the-rockies/
    name: National Scenic Byway Association
  - url: https://www.americanlegacytours.org/colorado/top-of-the-rockies-road-trip/
    name: National Travel Center
  - url: https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/colorado/top-of-the-rockies-scenic-byway.php
    name: The Armchair Explorer
attractions:
  - url: https://www.fs.usda.gov/arp
    name: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland
  - url: https://www.independencepass.org/
    name: Independence Pass Foundation
  - url: https://leadville.com/
    name: Leadville
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/two-ponds
    name: Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
  - url: https://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver
    name: White River National Forest
designations:
  - National Scenic Byway
  - Colorado State Scenic Byway
states:
  - CO
ll:
  - -106.84935799957202
  - 39.20124099967239
bounds:
  - - -106.84935799957202
    - 39.06264099958247
  - - -106.13112600016473
    - 39.60834900020615

---

With altitudes seldom dipping below 9,000 feet, this byway earns its name. Visit historic mining railroad towns en route to historic Leadville, the highest incorporated community in the U.S. Old mining camps attest to the state's rich mining heritage. The route crosses the Continental Divide twice and traces the Arkansas River.