Frontier Pathways – CO 96. Photo: Jeffrey Beall
Frontier Pathways travels 103 miles through early routes of Native Americans and settlers, south of the Arkansas River. The landscape is stunning with views of the 100-mile-long Sangre de Cristo Mountains following the route.
History lines the byway, showing evidence of foregone cattle ranches, rock mines, and Victorian villages. Recreation of all types exist in the San Isabel National Forest, which surrounds the road south of Wetmore. Dispersed camping is available here, and is especially prevalant on the Highway 165 section.
It was named a national scenic byway in 1998, one of eleven federally designated in Colorado.
Highlights
Lake Pueblo State Park – Huge state park centered around a 4,000+ acre lake, just west of Pueblo on Highway 96.
Bishop Castle – It has been called “The Largest One Man Construction Project in the Country”. Built by Jim Bishop, Bishop Castle stands 160 feet tall. It’s located on Highway 165 and is free to visit year round.
Details
Nearby Towns:
Season: Year round
Length: 103 miles (3.5 hours)
Roads: 2WD
Map: Froniter Pathways (.png)
Website: codot.gov/…
