From Placerville in the south to Gateway in the west and up to Whitewater in the north, the 133 mile long Unaweep Tabaguache Scenic Byway is one heck of a road trip. It is a beautiful drive from the San Juan Mountains through canyons while following the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers. The Highway contains the incredibly beautiful Highway 145 as well as parts of 141. You’ll see Moab style red rocks, distant snow covered mountains (like the La Sals), and gorgeous rivers.

At the southern end you follow the San Miguel River from Placerville through a beautiful canyon before you leave the river, climb the mountains (Lone Cone), and head towards Naturita. From Naturita to Gateway you start following the Dolores River through the amazing Colorado Plateau sandstone Dolores River Canyon.

This big section that follows the Dolores River is famous for being filled with dinosaur fossils, uranium and copper mines, and the skeletal remains of what’s known as the Hanging Flume. The Hanging Flume brought water to the mines and its old wooden remains are still visible today.

For listeners of the podcast, Dominguez & Escalante’s Expedition came through the area of the Scenic Byway! Click here to listen to that exciting series.

From Gateway to Whitewater you’ll pass what’s known as the Driggs Mansion and the Gunnison River where you can do some whitewater rafting.