Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route57 midifficulty: easy

Cottonwood Pass (Colorado)

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Cottonwood Pass (Colorado) — overland route near Buena Vista, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Roy Luck via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
57mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. The road was paved its full length in 2019; previous gravel west side is now asphalt to Taylor Park.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the high stretch; service in Buena Vista and Almont.
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Cottonwood Pass crosses the Sawatch Range at 12,126 feet between Buena Vista on the east and Taylor Park (above Almont and Crested Butte) on the west. The road is CR-306 on the east and FR 209 / CR-209 on the west, paved its full length since 2019. Pike-San Isabel and Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forests cover most of the corridor.

The pass closes seasonally with snow, typically from late October to Memorial Day. Most drivers run the 57-mile route in two to three hours, longer with stops at the pass overlooks. There are no technical obstacles; the interest is the alpine scenery, access to Taylor Park, and the connection to Crested Butte that the pavement now makes possible.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. The pass closes from late October through Memorial Day with snow.
  • High elevation. The pass tops 12,126 feet. Watch for altitude effects and afternoon thunderstorms.
  • Wildlife. Moose and elk cross the road, especially on the western descent.
  • Crosswinds at the pass. High-profile vehicles should reduce speed.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Buena Vista and Almont.

Location

57 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 38.827, -106.407

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townBuena Vista, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location38.827, -106.407

Getting there

Directions

From Buena Vista (east side). Take CR-306 / Cottonwood Pass Road west from Buena Vista. Pavement runs to the pass and beyond.

From Almont / Taylor Park (west side). From Almont (north of Gunnison on CO-135), take CR-742 east up the Taylor River canyon. The road continues to Taylor Park, then climbs to the pass.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Cottonwood Pass is a Sawatch crossing between the Arkansas River valley (Buena Vista) and Taylor Park, the high basin north of Crested Butte. The east side runs west from Buena Vista on CR-306 through the Cottonwood Creek drainage; the west side drops to Taylor Park Reservoir and continues to Almont via the Taylor River canyon. Pike-San Isabel's Salida Ranger District covers the east side; GMUG's Gunnison Ranger District covers the west.

Trail Overview

Fifty-seven miles, point-to-point, paved. The east side gains about 4,200 feet from Buena Vista to the pass; the west side drops about 2,800 feet to Taylor Park, then continues another twenty miles down the Taylor River. There are no off-road sections. The recently paved west side is wider and graded better than most of its mountain counterparts.

Points of Interest

  • Cottonwood Pass (12,126 ft). Stone monument and parking. Trailheads for the Continental Divide Trail.
  • Taylor Park Reservoir. Large reservoir with developed boat ramps and dispersed camping along the shore.
  • Taylor River canyon. West-side descent through a canyon paralleling the Taylor River with multiple FS campgrounds.
  • Tincup ghost town. Off the Taylor Park area; classic Colorado ghost town. Adjacent to Tincup Pass.
  • Cottonwood Hot Springs. Just west of Buena Vista on the eastern approach.

Where to Camp

Multiple FS campgrounds on both sides: Collegiate Peaks, Cottonwood Lake, and Rainbow Lake on the east; Lakeview, Lottis Creek, Spring Creek, and Cold Spring on the west. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Taylor Park has multiple lodge-based options.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The pass closes from late October through Memorial Day. Confirm with CDOT before driving outside summer.
  • Cottonwood is now the easiest summer route between Buena Vista and Crested Butte. The east side from CB to the pass is still gravel via Taylor Park; the pass itself and the BV side are paved.
  • Pair with Tincup Pass (already in the database) for a longer 4WD-and-pavement loop in Taylor Park.
  • The pass draws afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to be off the high stretch by early afternoon.
  • Top off in Buena Vista or Almont. Taylor Park has limited supplies and a small store.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Cottonwood Pass (Colorado)?
Cottonwood Pass (Colorado) is rated easy. The route runs 57 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Cottonwood Pass (Colorado)?
Any street-legal vehicle. The road was paved its full length in 2019; previous gravel west side is now asphalt to Taylor Park.
When is the best time to visit Cottonwood Pass (Colorado)?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Cottonwood Pass (Colorado)?
None on the high stretch; service in Buena Vista and Almont.