Frontier Pathways is in south-central Colorado near Pueblo. The byway follows CO 96 between Pueblo and Westcliffe and CO 165 between Colorado City and Rockvale. Both state highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Portions of the 103-mile byway may close in winter, otherwise it usually remains open year-round.
From Pueblo, Frontier Pathways crosses the grassy plains of eastern Colorado before climbing 2,000 feet to Hardscrabble Pass and McKenzie Junction. The beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains dominate the western sky. Travelers can continue traveling west of McKenzie Junction and descend into Wet Mountain Valley between lush green slopes of the Wet Mountains. Or travelers can head south on CO 165, travel through San Isabel National Forest and Greenhorn Valley to Colorado City.
Camping is available in Lake Pueblo State Park and San Isabel National Forest. Ophir Creek Campground is in the national forest and has 31 campsites. There are three campgrounds in the Lake Isabel Recreation Area with a total of 52 campsites. La Vista Campground in the recreation area has 19 sites with electric hookups. Lake Pueblo State Park offers hundreds of campsites, most with electric hookups. It remains open year-round; the national forest campgrounds are open spring to fall.