How to drive the unpaved road to Silver Pass in Colorado

Silver Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Silver Pass

Where is Silver Pass?

The pass is located north of Durango, in the southwestern part of Colorado, within the San Juan National Forest.

Is the road to Silver Pass unpaved?

The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called County Road 253 (Missionary Ridge Road). It comprises 15 hairpin turns and narrow sections with a few drops. A 4x4 vehicle is required.

How long is the road to Silver Pass?

Starting from County Road 250, the road to the summit is 16.41km (10.2 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 958m (3,146 ft) and the average gradient is 5.83%.

Is the road to Silver Pass open year-round?

Set high in the San Juan Mountains, the road is not plowed in winters.

 



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