Colorado has 13 national scenic byways, more than any other state. Some of their greatest, shining moments come in the fall.

As the aspens turn gold around the state, here are five of those national scenic byways worthy of a road trip:

Grand Mesa

63 miles; Colorado 65 between Cedaredge and Interstate 70 outside Palisade

Western Colorado’s mighty flat- top mountain is coated in vibrant aspen and oak. Even better, the Grand Mesa is spotted by hundreds of lakes and several campgrounds. It’s indeed worth an overnight, with endless trails to explore and fall foliage to behold, not to mention the sweeping view from Land’s End Observatory.

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Highway of Legends

82 miles; incorporating U.S. 160 and Colorado 12 through Trinidad, Cuchara, La Veta and Walsenburg

It’s an often overlooked drive in southern Colorado touring Spanish Peaks country. We last took it from Trinidad, passing historic, little-known hamlets like Cokedale and Stonewall, and rising to glorious aspen groves on either side of Cordova Pass above 11,700 feet. Along the way: lakes and legends told by stunning rock formations.

Silver Thread

117 miles; incorporating Colorado 149 through Lake City, Creede and South Fork

From Blue Mesa Reservoir, the scenic byway runs south to the San Juan Mountains. Going that way, your first stop might be Lake San Cristobal, Colorado’s second-largest natural lake at the heart of Lake City. Next might be North Clear Creek Falls, en route to the once-great silver mining town of Creede and the San Luis Valley.

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Top of the Rockies

115 miles; incorporating Interstate 70, U.S. 24, Colorado 91 and Colorado 82 through Leadville, Minturn, Twin Lakes and Aspen

The name is for the altitude, largely above 9,000. Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway travels over the Continental Divide three times, once over Independence Pass, which might offer the best aspen showcase along the whole route. That’s no offense to another outstanding stretch off I-70, going over Tennessee Pass to Leadville.

Trail Ridge Road

48 miles; U.S. 34 between Estes Park and Grand Lake

The thoroughfare through Rocky Mountain National Park has a distinction above National Scenic Byway. The Federal Highway Administration calls it an All-American Road, reserved for roads meeting two of six “intrinsic qualities” — archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic — and “have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere.” Not everywhere can you follow pavement to the high alpine.

Quick guide to fall in Teller County: Scenic hikes, drives and attractions to visit