Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route117 midifficulty: easy

Silver Thread National Scenic Byway

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of TransportationLast verified—
Silver Thread National Scenic Byway — overland route near Creede, Colorado, Colorado
Mike Blakeman / USDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
117mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty in the high stretches; service in Creede, Lake City, and at South Fork.
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Silver Thread National Scenic Byway is a 117-mile paved highway, CO-149, that runs from South Fork on US-160 north through Creede and Lake City to Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison. The route crosses Spring Creek Pass at 10,898 feet and Slumgullion Pass at 11,361 feet, threading the San Juan Mountains between the upper Rio Grande and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Rio Grande and Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forests cover most of the surrounding land.

The road is paved its full length and plowed year-round, with occasional winter closures during heavy storms. Most drivers run the byway in three to four hours, longer with stops in Creede or at the Slumgullion Earthflow overlook. The byway is the main paved access to Lake City and the Alpine Loop's east side.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter storms. CDOT closes CO-149 during heavy winter storms. Check CDOT 511.
  • High elevation. Slumgullion Pass tops 11,361 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Earthflow movement. The Slumgullion Earthflow continues to deform the road; watch for fresh patching and reduced lane width.
  • Wildlife. Bighorn sheep, elk, and deer cross routinely.
  • Limited services on the high stretches. Top off in towns.

Location

117 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.849, -107.069

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation
Nearest townCreede, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande
Approx. location37.849, -107.069

Getting there

Directions

From South Fork (south entrance). Take US-160 to South Fork, then turn north on CO-149.

From Blue Mesa Reservoir (north entrance). From US-50 at Blue Mesa, turn south on CO-149.

Photos

4 photos

Photos · 4

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs north-south on CO-149 between US-160 at South Fork and US-50 at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Rio Grande National Forest covers the southern half from South Fork through Creede; Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison covers the northern half through Lake City to Blue Mesa. The two passes (Spring Creek and Slumgullion) sit between Lake City and Creede.

Trail Overview

One hundred seventeen miles, point-to-point, paved. The route follows the Rio Grande from South Fork to Creede, climbs to Spring Creek Pass and Slumgullion Pass, drops to Lake City, then follows the Lake Fork to Blue Mesa Reservoir. There are no off-road sections. The Slumgullion Earthflow on the descent toward Lake City is a slow-moving landslide that has shaped the road for decades.

Points of Interest

  • Slumgullion Pass (11,361 ft). The byway's high point. Pullout at the summit.
  • Slumgullion Earthflow. Slow-moving landslide visible from the descent toward Lake City. Interpretive site.
  • Lake San Cristobal. Glacial lake formed by the earthflow, the second-largest natural lake in Colorado.
  • Creede. Historic 1890s silver-mining town with the Creede Repertory Theater and the Bachelor Loop ghost-town tour.
  • North Clear Creek Falls. Roadside falls on a spur off the byway near Creede.
  • Wagon Wheel Gap. Historic stage stop at the Rio Grande crossing south of Creede.
  • Lake City. Old mining town and gateway to the Alpine Loop. The Hinsdale County Museum and several preserved Victorian buildings.

Where to Camp

Multiple FS campgrounds on the byway: Marshall Park, Palisade, Bristol Head, and Bristol Head Cabin near Creede; Williams Creek and Mill Creek (BLM) near Lake City. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Creede and Lake City have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Plan multiple days. Creede and Lake City are both worth overnight stays.
  • The Bachelor Loop above Creede is a worthwhile add-on tour of mining-era ghost towns.
  • Lake City is the eastern entry to the Alpine Loop. Plan a separate day for Engineer or Cinnamon Pass.
  • Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk. Bighorn sheep are common in the upper Rio Grande canyon.
  • Top off in Creede, Lake City, or South Fork. Smaller communities have limited services.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Silver Thread National Scenic Byway?
Silver Thread National Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 117 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Silver Thread National Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round.
When is the best time to visit Silver Thread National Scenic Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Is there cell service at Silver Thread National Scenic Byway?
Spotty in the high stretches; service in Creede, Lake City, and at South Fork.