Last Dollar Road — Telluride to Dallas Divide via Deep Creek Mesa
Aspens, ranchland and the Sneffels skyline
Last Dollar Road got its name from the story that the original homesteader bet his last dollar on this ground. The tale is probably tidier than the truth, but the road earns it. It leaves Highway 145 near the Telluride airport and climbs through scrub oak onto Deep Creek Mesa. From there it winds through aspen groves, sagebrush parks and working ranch land with the Wilson and Sneffels peaks stacked up behind you. It passes old homesteads and the occasional cattle gate, then drops toward Dallas Divide and Highway 62. In October the aspens are the main event, and half of Colorado seems to know it.
This is a county-maintained dirt road, not a technical trail. In dry weather a stock high-clearance 4WD handles it easily, and a careful driver in an AWD crossover can too. Rain turns the clay into grease, and it’s closed to wheeled traffic in winter, so plan on late June through October. Stay on the road, because most of the land on either side is private. Fuel up in Telluride or Ridgway and carry your own water. Cell service is spotty and camping is limited, so look at the Uncompahgre National Forest edges. You get a quiet, scenic backdoor out of Telluride with no rock crawling needed. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 21 mi / 33.8 km |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10650 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | AWD high-clearance (4WD in wet weather) |
| Nearest town | Telluride, Colorado |
| Land manager | San Miguel County Road & Bridge / Ouray County / Uncompahgre National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | GMUG National Forests |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock AWD crossover or 4Runner handle Last Dollar Road?
Yes, in dry conditions. It's a maintained county dirt road, so an AWD vehicle with decent clearance is plenty. Rain turns the clay into slick mud and makes 4WD worth having.
When is Last Dollar Road open, and can you drive it in winter?
Best window is June through October. The road isn't plowed in winter and snow closes the high sections, so expect it to be impassable by car until late spring. Check conditions with San Miguel County Road & Bridge before you head up.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Last Dollar Road?
No permit or fee is needed to drive it. The road crosses county, private and Uncompahgre National Forest land, so stay on the road and respect private property signs and gates along the ranchland stretches.
What's the hardest part of the drive?
Nothing technical. The tough spots are washboard, ruts, and slick clay after rain, mostly on the steeper climbs and descents near the top at about 10,650 ft. In wet weather, the muddy sections can turn a casual drive into a slide-fest.
Can I camp along Last Dollar Road, and will I have cell service?
Dispersed camping is available on the National Forest sections, but don't camp on private land, which borders much of the road. Cell service is spotty, so download your maps before leaving Telluride and plan on 2-3 hours for the 21 miles.
Trail track
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