Lime Creek Road — San Juan Mountains Descent from Coal Bank Pass to Durango
San Juan shelf road without the Alpine Loop crowds.
Lime Creek Road peels off US-550 just north of Coal Bank Pass and immediately commits you to a narrow, rocky shelf that traverses the west face of the San Juans above Lime Creek canyon. The road winds roughly 12 miles through dense Engelmann spruce and aspen groves before dropping into the Animas River corridor south of Durango — passing the old Lime Creek burn scar where silvered snags stand against big sky views of Engineer and Twilight peaks. The creek crossings mid-route are the crux, particularly in early summer runoff when Lime Creek runs fast and cold across the road bed multiple times.
This is a moderate high-clearance route — a bone-stock 4Runner or Jeep with decent tires handles it fine, but low-slung crossovers have no business here. The road is typically open June through October depending on snowpack. No permits needed, and dispersed camping is allowed on San Juan National Forest land along the route. Durango is your fuel and resupply stop. Cell service is nonexistent once you drop off the highway. What you get out here is a legit taste of San Juan back country without the crowds of the Alpine Loop — and that’s worth showing up for.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10800 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Durango, CO |
| Land manager | San Juan National Forest — Columbine Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS San Juan NF San Juan NF Home |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Lime Creek Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles it fine. You don't need a lift, but low-profile cars, crossovers, and 2WD trucks will get torn up on the rocky sections near the top of the descent.
When does Lime Creek Road actually open in spring, and is October pushing it?
The road typically opens in June once snowmelt clears Coal Bank Pass — earlier openings are hit or miss and often muddy. October is viable but watch the forecast; early snowstorms can close it fast and the shelf sections get sketchy on fresh snow.
Do I need a permit or pass to run Lime Creek Road?
No permit required. It's San Juan National Forest land managed by the Columbine Ranger District, so standard National Forest rules apply — no fees, no passes, just don't light the place on fire.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The upper stretch off Coal Bank Pass has the tightest shelf road sections with loose rock and limited pullouts — that's where you'll earn it. The trail is rated moderate, not a rock crawl, but the exposure on the shelf edges is real and passing oncoming traffic requires patience and sometimes backing up.
Is there water available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Yes, there are water crossings on trail but treat or filter anything you pull from them. Durango is your best fuel stop — fill up there before heading out, since the nearest gas heading north toward Coal Bank Pass is limited and the town of Silverton is small with variable hours.
Trail track
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