Webster Pass Road
Silver boom mining road above 12,000 feet
Webster Pass sits at 12,096 feet, making it one of Colorado’s highest driveable passes through terrain that once echoed with silver mining dynamite. The road snakes past abandoned mine shafts and rusted machinery from the 1880s boom, offering raw mountain views across the Tenmile Range. At the summit, you’ll find the remains of several mining claims and a register box where overlanders have been signing in for decades.
This is a moderate high-clearance route that demands respect for sudden weather changes above treeline. Stock 4WD vehicles handle it fine in dry conditions, but afternoon thunderstorms can turn the rocky sections treacherous. Best tackled July through September when snow clears, though even summer mornings can start with frost. No permits required, and dispersed camping is allowed below treeline on both sides of the pass. The payoff is legitimate backcountry solitude and some of the most authentic mining history still accessible by vehicle in Colorado.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12096 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Keystone, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler handle Webster Pass without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle can make it. The rocky shelf road sections are the main challenge, but a factory 4Runner, Wrangler, or similar rig will get through without needing a lift or skid plates — though both help protect your undercarriage on the sharper rocks.
When does Webster Pass Road actually open each year, and is snow still on the ground in July?
The pass typically opens in late June to early July depending on snowpack, with July through September being the reliable window. Snow can linger at the 12,000-foot summit well into July, and it can close again with early-season storms in September or October — check with the USDA Forest Service or local Jeep club reports before heading up.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive Webster Pass Road?
No permit required and no fee to drive the trail. It's USDA Forest Service land, so standard public land rules apply — pack it in, pack it out, and follow Leave No Trace principles.
What's the hardest section of Webster Pass, and what should I actually be ready for?
The shelf road below the summit on the western Summit County side is the most exposed and technical stretch — narrow, rocky, and with a serious drop-off if you drift wide. Loose rock and embedded boulders require steady throttle control; it's not a white-knuckle trail, but one bad line can put a rocker panel on a rock fast.
Is there any gas or cell service near Webster Pass, and can I camp along the route?
There is zero cell service on the trail — go in with offline maps downloaded. Gas up in Keystone or Silverthorne before you head out, as there's nothing remote-side in the Park County direction for a good stretch. Dispersed camping is available along the route on Forest Service land, so a night out is doable if you want to split it into two days.
Trail track
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