Are there picnic areas along the route?

Picnic areas are available at several scenic locations along the Gold Belt Byway, providing opportunities to enjoy meals surrounded by spectacular Colorado landscapes. Red Canyon Park along the lower Shelf Road offers picnic facilities with breathtaking views of limestone cliffs and canyon scenery, making it a popular stop for families and rock climbers alike. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument provides well-maintained picnic areas where visitors can relax after exploring the ancient fossil beds and learning about the area's unique paleontological significance.

For a more spontaneous picnic experience, find a shady spot along Phantom Canyon Road where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch surrounded by rugged canyon scenery and the sounds of flowing water in nearby streams. When stopping for picnics along the byway, pull completely off the road to ensure safety for yourself and other travelers, and practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and food waste. The picnic areas and scenic pullouts along the byway provide excellent opportunities to rest, refuel, and appreciate the natural beauty while breaking up longer drives through the 131-mile route.