Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Ridgway via Last Dollar Road and the Uncompahgre Plateau
Aspen gold and 14,000-foot peaks above Telluride.
Last Dollar Road runs roughly 22 miles from Ridgway south to the Telluride Airport area, crossing the Uncompahgre Plateau’s western shoulder through some of the finest ranch country in the San Juans. The road earns its reputation in September when the aspens ignite and the Wilson Peaks — Mount Wilson, El Diente, Wilson Peak — stand snow-dusted above the golden tree line. You’ll pass through private ranch land and national forest, crossing over Last Dollar Saddle near 10,700 feet before dropping into the meadows above Telluride. The surface is dirt and can deteriorate badly after thunderstorms; there’s a narrow shelf section with modest exposure near the top.
High-clearance 4WD is the right tool here — technically moderate, but the combination of loose surface, elevation, and narrow track means a lifted truck with good tires beats a car any day of the week. The road is typically passable late May through October. Snow closes it hard in winter and the mud season in April-May can make it impassable even for 4WD rigs. No permit required. Dispersed camping is available in the Uncompahgre National Forest sections. Fuel in Ridgway or Telluride. This road rewards patience and a clear morning sky.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 22 mi / 35.4 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10700 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Ridgway, CO |
| Land manager | Uncompahgre National Forest, Ouray Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Uncompahgre NF Route Info |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler handle Last Dollar Road without mods?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner, Wrangler, or Tacoma handles this route fine under normal conditions. Lowered vehicles, passenger cars, and 2WD trucks should stay home — the rutted dirt sections and creek crossings will punish anything without real clearance.
When does Last Dollar Road typically open and close each year?
The route is generally passable June through October. Snow can close it as early as late October and it may not fully clear until June depending on the year — check with the Ouray Ranger District before heading out in shoulder seasons.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive this route through Uncompahgre National Forest?
No permit required and no fee to drive the route. Standard forest rules apply — pack out your trash, follow fire restrictions, and don't cut new roads or camp inside posted closure areas.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The route is rated moderate — no extreme rock crawling, but the shelf road sections narrow up and the surface gets loose and rutted after rain. The biggest curveball is mud: if it's rained recently, Last Dollar Road turns greasy fast and recovery can be a real problem without traction boards or a recovery kit.
Is there reliable water along the route, and where's the best spot to camp?
There are water crossings on the route but treat anything you pull from them — giardia is real in Colorado mountain streams. Dispersed camping is allowed in Uncompahgre National Forest; the aspen stands between Telluride and the plateau offer solid sites with views of the Wilson Peaks if you get there early enough in fall.
Trail track
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