Scenic drive
Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway
Ouray, Colorado
US 550 between Ouray and Silverton clings to cliffs above deep gorges with almost no guardrails.
- Cost
- Free
- Time to allow
- 2 hours
The stretch of US 550 south of Ouray climbs through the Uncompahgre Gorge to Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 ft. It is narrow and exposed with hairpins, old mine ruins and bright red hillsides. Take it slowly and use the pull-offs to let traffic by.
Good to know
- Drive north to south so you are on the mountain side of the road
- Winter ice and avalanche closures are common, check COtrip
- Big RVs should take it very slowly
- Best time
- Daylight in clear weather, autumn colour late September
- Open
- Year round, weather dependent
- Getting there
- Paved, tight and exposed, not for nervous drivers
- Vehicles
- Campervans fine
- Dogs
- Dogs welcome
Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.
Know what the drive costs
Roadtrip works out the fuel or charging cost of any drive for your exact car, finds the cheapest stations on the way, and plans the stops.
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