Stony Pass Road — Silverton to Rio Grande Reservoir via Cunningham Gulch and the Continental Divide
Prospector's wagon road over the Continental Divide.
Stony Pass was a lifeline long before it was a playground. Freight wagons and pack strings hauled supplies over it into Silverton in the 1870s, before the Durango narrow gauge arrived. You leave town up Cunningham Gulch, past the old Highland Mary mine ruins, and the road tightens into a rocky shelf with a few creek crossings. It then switchbacks above treeline to the pass at 12,588 feet. Wildflowers go off in the high meadows in July. The east side drops gently toward the headwaters of the Rio Grande and ends at the Rio Grande Reservoir.
Honest take: it’s a moderate road, but it isn’t a pavement-with-a-view. The Silverton side is loose rock, a couple of tight spots and narrow shelf with real drop-offs, so a stock high-clearance 4WD with decent tires will do it, but you’ll want to scout the creek crossings after rain. Snow can block the pass into late June, and afternoon thunderstorms above treeline are no joke. There are no services on the route, so top off fuel in Silverton and carry water. Camping is dispersed on national forest land below the pass. You get one of the best Divide crossings in the San Juans without needing a built rig. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 3-5 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12588 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Silverton, Colorado |
| Land manager | USFS Rio Grande National Forest / BLM Tres Rios Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Rio Grande National Forest |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma drive Stony Pass?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD with decent tires handles it fine. The rocky sections and creek fords are the main challenge, so low range helps on the steeper, loose climbs, but lockers and lifts aren't required.
When is Stony Pass open, and can I drive it in winter?
Plan on July through September. The pass sits at 12,588 ft and holds snow well into early summer, and it's not maintained in winter. Check current conditions with the Rio Grande National Forest or the Silverton visitor center before you go, because late snowdrifts can block the summit in some years.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Stony Pass?
No permit or fee is required for day travel on the road. Dispersed camping on national forest and BLM land is generally free, but follow current fire restrictions and stay in previously used sites. Confirm rules with the Rio Grande National Forest, since they can change.
What's the hardest part of the trail?
The rubble-strewn climb out of Cunningham Gulch and the shelf road near the top are where most drivers slow down. Expect loose rock, tight passing spots with drop-offs, and creek fords that run higher during snowmelt in early summer. It's rated moderate, but exposure and traffic make it feel harder than the obstacles alone.
Is there cell service, and where can I camp along Stony Pass?
Cell service is spotty, so download your maps offline before leaving Silverton. Dispersed camping is available along the route, and the area near the Rio Grande Reservoir end offers more options. Carry enough fuel and water for the 19 miles plus the detour, since there are no services between Silverton and the reservoir.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.