Experience the 82 scenic mile Byway which climbs and winds its way through the lush river valleys starting in
Meeker on County Road 8, climbing over the White River National Forest on a well-maintained gravel road, and
ending on the other side of the mountain in the little town of Yampa near Steamboat Springs.

















  • The scenic byway tops out at 10,343-feet where Ripple Creek Pass begins and the miles of majestic views
    of the White River Valley and the forested Flat Tops Wilderness Area.

  • Continuing east on the Flat Tops Scenic Byway towards Yampa, there are still around 40 miles of
    wonderful scenery remaining, as you pass through aspen and spruce forests, and by numerous streams.

  • When you reach the small city of Yampa, if you then go southwest on Route 7, you will travel back up into
    the Flat Tops Wilderness from the east.  Route 7 is also Bear River Road, and provides 15 miles of access
    into the Bear River Valley, with three major and several minor, lakes along the way. Besides the attraction
    of great fishing in these lakes, there are many trail-heads along the route that provide access in all
    directions to the Flat Tops Wilderness.

More on the Flat Tops Scenic By-Way.  Narrated CDs may be picked up at the Forest Service or BLM offices to
borrow when traveling over the scenic by-way to detail areas of interest along the way.  The 80 mile scenic drive
takes two and a half hours to cross over to Yampa.
Deer in Field at local ranch.
Beautiful scenery
encountered along hiking
trail.
FLAT TOPS SCENIC BY-WAY
970-878-3404
deer in field, wildlife in meeker colorado or rocky mountain region
flat tops scenic byway of the white river national forest
view behind a waterfall at hanging lake
  • From Meeker, the byway follows alongside the White
    River. Along the byway are turnoffs for County Roads
    10 and 12 provide national forest access to the South
    Fork, and to Marvine Creek.

  • Many detours along the way especially to the
    picturesque Trappers Lake.  For 11 miles, the
    Trappers Lake Road follows the North Fork of the
    White River and passes several trailheads, including
    the trail to Skinny Fish Lake, before ending at
    Trappers Lake.

  • Past the Trappers Lake turnoff the byway rises up
    and over Ripple Creek Pass at an elevation of 10,343
    feet. A few miles beyond is beautiful Vaughn Lake.