🚵 Lariat Loop

Rank: 60

Location: Golden / Evergreen

Category: Scenic Drives

Just west of Denver, where the plains meet the first ripples of the Rockies, a classic Colorado road unfurls through red rock, pine forest, and broad-sky panoramas. The Lariat Loop is a highly accessible, roughly 40-mile historic scenic circle that links Golden and Evergreen with some of the region’s most storied sights. It’s the kind of drive that starts with a simple turn of the ignition and soon feels like you’ve slipped into a postcard: switchbacks climbing to lookouts, sandstone amphitheaters glowing at sunrise or dusk, quiet lakes rimmed with evergreens, and small-town main streets that invite a lingering stroll. If you’re looking for a signature foothills experience without committing to a long-haul mountain voyage, this loop delivers the goods in a half day—or an entire one, should you stop as often as the vistas tempt you.

Many travelers begin in Golden, a friendly town cradled by buttes and crossed by a clear-running creek. Almost immediately, the road tilts toward the hills, bending through a sequence of curves that makes the ascent feel like an unveiling. With every turn, the city recedes and the land opens: hogbacks to the south, the patchwork of Denver’s neighborhoods to the east, and, on a clear day, horizon layers that seem to roll forever. Pull-offs along the way provide places to breathe it in, and you’ll likely share the route with cyclists—this is beloved training ground—so take it leisurely and welcome the pace. At a crest, quiet pines gather and the air cools just enough to crisp the senses. Near the top, a simple fence and stonework mark the resting place of Buffalo Bill, a spot that draws visitors for the view as much as the legend, and a reminder that these foothills have long shaped the American imagination.

From airy ridgelines, the Lariat Loop cuts toward one of the state’s true icons: the ruddy, towering fins of Red Rocks. Even at midday, the amphitheater’s sandstone seems to hum with the heat of the sun; at golden hour, the entire formation glows like banked embers. Trails wrap between monoliths and juniper, and you can feel the geology underfoot—grippy, warm, textured by time. The surrounding parkland offers short walks and long gazes, with ravens riding thermals and the occasional bighorn silhouette etched against the sky. Whether you step out for a few minutes or stretch a stop into a ramble, the juxtaposition of wild architecture and city-on-the-horizon is unforgettable. It’s here that the loop’s appeal becomes undeniable: you’re close to everything, and yet the setting feels unbound.

As the road arcs toward Evergreen, the terrain softens. Dense stands of evergreen and aspen lean toward the light, and the temperature dips into a mountain-cabin register. The town itself is all alpine ease—galleries and cafés, a gentle pace, and a lake at its heart. Evergreen Lake is irresistible in any season: mirror-still on early summer mornings, ruffled by afternoon breezes, or edged with a frosting of snow when winter settles in. A stroll along the shoreline rewards with ripples of light through the branches, the scent of sap and sun-warmed wood, and the kind of quiet that expands time. Keep an eye out for waterfowl tracing low arcs over the surface and mule deer browsing at the forest’s edge; the wildlife here is part of the scenery, often glimpsed, seldom hurried.

What makes the Lariat Loop particularly satisfying is its variety packed into a single, sensible circuit. You can pair roadside overlooks with short hikes, fold in a coffee stop in Golden and an ice cream in Evergreen, and still be home for dinner—unless you choose to linger for sunset. The driving itself is engaging but approachable, with well-maintained pavement, clear signage, and frequent turnouts for photos and breathers. As with any mountain-adjacent drive, weather can shift quickly, especially in shoulder seasons, so bring layers and give yourself time; the slower you go, the more you’ll notice the movement of light across the foothills and the way the land changes character with each mile. Fall brings a ribbon of color as aspen leaves turn to coins of gold; spring softens the slopes with new growth and wildflowers; summer offers warm, dry air and long days; winter can be serene and sparkling after a fresh dusting of snow.

By the time the loop carries you back toward Golden, you’ll have traced a cross section of Colorado’s front-range character—historic touchstones, sculptural landscapes, inviting towns, and evergreen-capped ridges—all within easy reach of the city. It’s a route that suits many moods: a morning dash for views before brunch, an all-day amble with detours and picnics, or an impromptu sunset chase when the sky promises drama. However you approach it, the Lariat Loop rewards curiosity with one memorable scene after another, stitching together the places you’ve heard