Colorado vacations: Try these drives on scenic byways

In some places, it takes a few hidden turns and some serious searching to get to that scenic area you're looking for. But if you were traveling through Colorado, you would have to try pretty hard to avoid stunning scenery, as even the state's major expressways provide spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.

For those considering Colorado vacations, taking at least a day to explore by car is a fine idea. From white-knuckled drives that continuously climb and zigzag, to prehistoric history lessons, the state offers adventures for everyone. Here's a taste of what you might find if you decide to take an adventure in your car.

Independence Pass: Highway 82 between Twin Lakes and Aspen seldom dips below 9,000 feet and summits at Independence Pass, 12,095 feet above sea level. With winding switchbacks and rock walls and boulders coming up to shoulder height at some places, this drive is not for the faint of heart. You'll want to catch this one in the warmer months, as it's open only from Memorial Day to November. Either way, you're likely to see snow at the top.

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway: To start your fossil adventure properly, start at the Dinosaur Welcome Center, in the fittingly named Dinosaur, Colo. From there, you can map out routes to museums where you can get information on fossil finds, as well as locations like Canyon Pintado, where you can find ancient cave carvings and paintings created by early Native Americans.

Colorado River Headwaters Byway: Follow the start of the river that carved the Grand Canyon on this 70-mile route. You'll pass through narrow canyons and also have a chance to check out natural hot springs in Hot Sulfur Springs.

Grand Mesa Scenic Byway: Once you climb this 11,000 foot mesa on Highway 65, you'll find aspen and pine forests, as well as gorgeous mountain lakes. On various points during your journey, there will be roadside stops at which you can take in panoramic views of the Grand Valley thousands of feet below.

If you are interested in checking out some of these scenic drives or other Colorado vacations, a good place to start is visiting a travel website like Travelocity.com. There you can find flights, rental cars and hotel rooms, as well as options for entire vacation packages, which can sometimes be less expensive than booking everything on its own.

Courtesy of ARAcontent