Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route32 midifficulty: moderate

Buffalo Pass

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Buffalo Pass — overland route near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Craig Talbert via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
32mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The road is graded gravel and dirt forest road; AWD or 4WD recommended in wet conditions. Stock SUVs handle it in summer.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Drops out east of the Summit Lake area; service in Steamboat Springs and Walden.
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Buffalo Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 10,180 feet between Steamboat Springs on the Yampa River and Walden in North Park, on Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The route is FR 60 and CR-129 / CR-65, graded gravel and dirt forest road for most of its 32 miles, with paved stretches near both towns. The pass is the southern entry to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness; the Continental Divide Trail crosses it.

The pass closes seasonally with snow, typically from late October to mid-June. Most drivers run the route in two to three hours. There are no technical obstacles; high-clearance vehicles handle it in dry conditions, and the surface is smoother than most Colorado divide crossings of similar elevation.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. The pass closes from late October through mid-June with snow.
  • High elevation. The pass tops 10,180 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Wildlife. Moose, elk, and the occasional black bear cross the road.
  • Slick when wet. The dirt sections turn slick after rain.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Steamboat Springs and Walden.

Location

32 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 40.545, -106.679

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSteamboat Springs, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/mbr
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location40.545, -106.679

Getting there

Directions

From Steamboat Springs (west entrance). Take CR-129 / Strawberry Park Road north from Steamboat. Continue on FR 60 / Buffalo Pass Road east to the pass.

From Walden (east entrance). From Walden, take CR-24 / CR-65 west to FR 60 to the pass.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Buffalo Pass connects the Yampa River valley at Steamboat Springs with North Park at Walden, crossing the Park Range. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest's Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District manages the western side; the eastern side falls under the Parks Ranger District. The Mount Zirkel Wilderness sits north of the road; the Sarvis Creek Wilderness sits south.

Trail Overview

Thirty-two miles, point-to-point. The road is paved on the western edge near Steamboat Springs and on the eastern edge near Walden, with the central twenty-plus miles graded gravel. The pass itself crests at 10,180 feet at the boundary between the two ranger districts. There are no off-road obstacles. AWD or 4WD is helpful in wet conditions but not required when dry.

Points of Interest

  • Buffalo Pass summit (10,180 ft). Continental Divide marker and Continental Divide Trail crossing.
  • Summit Lake. Small alpine lake adjacent to the pass with a developed FS picnic area.
  • Mount Zirkel Wilderness boundary. North of the pass; multiple FS trailheads access the wilderness from the road.
  • Dumont Lake. West-side spur with an FS campground.
  • Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Privately developed hot-springs resort north of Steamboat Springs near the western approach.
  • Steamboat Lake State Park. Northwest of Steamboat Springs; not on the byway but a regional add-on.

Where to Camp

Medicine Bow-Routt maintains several developed campgrounds along or near the route: Granite, Dumont Lake, Summit Lake (day-use), and Hidden Lakes. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Steamboat Springs and Walden have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The pass closes from late October through mid-June. Confirm with the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (970-870-2299).
  • Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a worthwhile add-on near the western approach.
  • Top off in Steamboat Springs or Walden. There is no fuel on the route.
  • Watch for moose and elk in the high meadows.
  • The route pairs naturally with the Old Park Road / Wyoming line route to Saratoga or with the Cameron Pass byway to Fort Collins.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Buffalo Pass?
Buffalo Pass is rated moderate. The route runs 32 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Buffalo Pass?
High-clearance vehicle. The road is graded gravel and dirt forest road; AWD or 4WD recommended in wet conditions. Stock SUVs handle it in summer.
When is the best time to visit Buffalo Pass?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Buffalo Pass?
Drops out east of the Summit Lake area; service in Steamboat Springs and Walden.