Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway

Lariat Loop
Scenic and Historic Byway
Lariat Loop; Scenic and Historic Byway
Route information
	Maintained by CDOT
Length	40 mi (64 km)
Existed	2002–present
Major junctions
North end	US 6 Golden
South end	SH 74 Golden
Location
Country	United States
State	Colorado
Counties	Jefferson
Highway system
	Scenic Byways; National; National Forest; BLM; NPS; Colorado State Highway System; Interstate; US; State; Scenic;

The Lariat Loop National Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jefferson County, Colorado, USA. The byway is a 40-mile (64 km) loop in the Front Range foothills west of Denver through Golden, Lookout Mountain Park, Genesee Park, Evergreen, Morrison, Red Rocks Park, and Dinosaur Ridge. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway at Bergen Park.

Route

The byway includes portions of State Highway 93 between Golden and Morrison, State Highway 74 from Morrison to Evergreen via Bear Creek Canyon, and the same road north to Interstate 70, which bisects the loop. The Lariat Trail connects Golden with the top of Lookout Mountain and Lookout Mountain Road completes the loop back to Interstate 70. This route formed the foundation for the surrounding 150-square-mile (390 km²) area’s designation as a Colorado Heritage Area in 2000; the Byway was so designated by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation and Governor Owens in April 2002. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway via Squaw Pass Road.

The Lariat Loop Byway blends natural, cultural, and historic attributes in a route that has been promoted as a tourist destination since 1914 and can be enjoyed in a half-day’s drive from Denver. Along the route are dozens of historic sites, scenic parks, and other attractions (see list below), many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the Lariat Loop is not listed, it comprises two registered routes, the Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive and the Lariat Trail Scenic Mountain Drive.

The Lariat Loop encompasses parts of Denver’s original “circle drives,” within the unique Denver Mountain Parks system designed by F.L. Olmsted, Jr, in 1914. The diverse geography of the foothills setting offers dense forests, mountain vistas, winding roads, rocky outcrops and ridges, and historic “beauty spots.” Many of these scenic areas have become county or city parks and are accessible to the public.

All roads along the Lariat Loop Byway are accessible via passenger vehicle, with convenient services, year-round. Open Space and Mountain Parks are protected areas and all wildlife and plants are protected.

Attractions

Golden, Colorado
Windy Saddle Park
Lookout Mountain Park
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
Lookout Mountain Preserve and Nature Center
Genesee, Colorado
Genesee Park
- Chief Hosa Lodge
El Rancho, Colorado
Fillius Park
Bergen Park, Colorado
Elk Meadow Park
Evergreen, Colorado
- Dedisse Park
- Evergreen Lake
- Hiwan Homestead Museum
Kittredge, Colorado
O'Fallon Park
Corwina Park
Lair O'the Bear Park
Little Park
Idledale, Colorado
Morrison, Colorado
- Morrison Historic District
- Morrison Natural History Museum
Red Rocks Park
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Red Rocks Park and Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, a National Historic Landmark
Dinosaur Ridge
Matthews/Winters Park
- Mount Vernon, Colorado
Apex Park
Golden, Colorado
- Astor House Museum
- Clear Creek History Park
- Colorado Railroad Museum
- Colorado School of Mines
  - Mines Museum of Earth Science
- Coors Brewery (world's largest)
- Foothills Art Center
- Golden Pioneer Museum
- Golden Visitors Center
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

Major intersections

The entire route is in Jefferson County.

Location	Exit	Destinations	Notes
El Rancho		I-70 east / US 40 east
El Rancho		US 40 west to I-70 west
Morrison		SH 74 east	Byway continues onto Hogback Road north
Golden		US 40 west	Byway continues onto US 40 east
		US 40 east	Byway continues onto Heritage Road
		US 6 east	Byway continues onto US 6 west
		US 6 west	Byway continues onto 19th Street west
		US 40 east	Byway continues onto US 40 west
	254	I-70 east	Byway continues onto I-70 west
	253	Chief Hosa
	252	I-70 west
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi