West Elk Loop
West Elk Loop is a State Scenic Byway in Colorado. Within Colorado it covers roughly 220 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along West Elk Loop with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
This roughly 200-mile loop circles the West Elk Mountains, linking Carbondale, Crested Butte, Gunnison, and the North Fork Valley. Its centerpiece is Kebler Pass, a graded dirt road through what is reputed to be one of the largest aspen groves in the world — spectacular in late September. The loop also skirts the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the orchard country around Paonia.
- Kebler Pass aspens
- Crested Butte
- Black Canyon rim
- North Fork orchards
- ~200-mile loop
Plan a drive on West Elk Loop → Drive this route in Road SortiesTurn-by-turn on iPhone · App Store
Places to stop along West Elk Loop
Paonia State Park
A small reservoir park beneath the Ragged Mountains at the head of the North Fork Valley, known for orchards and wineries downstream.
WebsiteCrawford State Park
A reservoir park for camping, fishing, and boating with views of Needle Rock and the West Elks.
WebsiteBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
A canyon so deep and narrow that parts of its floor get only minutes of sun a day, with overlooks straight down the dark schist walls.
WebsiteBlue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado's largest body of water, part of Curecanti National Recreation Area, known for big lake trout and kokanee salmon.
WebsiteCrested Butte
A colorful old coal town turned mountain-bike and ski mecca, famous for July wildflowers.
Kebler Pass
A graded dirt road through what is thought to be one of the largest aspen groves in the world, at its gold peak in late September.
Where to Stay along West Elk Loop
22 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of West Elk Loop.
Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.
What is a State Scenic Byway?
State Scenic Byways are roads a state has formally recognized for their scenic, natural, historic or cultural value — each state's own curated collection of drives worth taking slowly.