Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway

{{short description|Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway}}

{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox road

|state = CO

|type = NSB

|name = Top of the Rockies
National Scenic Byway

|marker_image=72x72px72x72px

|maint =

|map =

|map_notes =

|length_mi = 115

|length_ref =

|length_notes =

|formed = 1993

|terminus_a = {{Jct|state=CO|CO|82}} in Aspen or
{{Jct|state=CO|CO|82|US|24}} {{convert|2|mi|0}} north of Granite

|terminus_b = {{Jct|state=CO|I|70}} exit 171 {{convert|2|mi|0}} north of Minturn or
{{Jct|state=CO|I|70}} exit 195 at Copper Mountain

|direction_a = South

|direction_b = North

|counties = Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit

}}

The Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway{{cite web|url=https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/south-central/top-rockies|title=Top of the Rockies|publisher=Colorado Department of Transportation|year=2021|access-date=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.colorado.com/byways/top-rockies|title=Top of the Rockies|publisher=Colorado Tourism Office|year=2022|access-date=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://scenicbyways.info/byway/2119.html|title=Top of the Rockies|publisher=America's Scenic Byways|access-date=March 31, 2022}} is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high Rocky Mountains of Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit counties, Colorado, United States. The {{convert|115|mi|adj=on}} byway showcases the two highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains: Mount Elbert at elevation {{convert|4401.2|m|order=flip}} and Mount Massive at elevation {{convert|14428|ft}}. The byway connects with the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway at the junction of Colorado State Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 24.

The byway has two northern extensions. The northwestern extension extends from the historic mining town of Leadville over Tennessee Pass to Interstate 70 near Minturn. The northeastern extension extends from Leadville over Fremont Pass to I-70 at Copper Mountain. The two extensions can be driven together as a tour from I-70 to Leadville and back to I-70.

The byway crosses the Continental Divide at Independence Pass at {{convert|12095|ft}} elevation, Fremont Pass at {{convert|11318|ft}} elevation, and Tennessee Pass at {{convert|10424|ft}} elevation. Independence Pass is closed from October to May. The gold mining ghost town of Independence is a historic townsite {{convert|2.2|mi|0}} west of Independence Pass. The Leadville Historic District is a National Historic Landmark. History Colorado operates the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin in Leadville. The City of Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America with a downtown elevation of {{convert|10152|ft}}.

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