You don't need lockers, a winch or a lifetime of off-road experience to camp somewhere beautiful in Colorado. These four routes are paved or graded gravel, close to Denver and full of places to pull over and stay the night.
Every road here is one we'd happily send a first-time renter down in Aspen. They're also seasonal, so check conditions before you go, especially from November through May.
01Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass is the easiest way to get above treeline from Denver. The byway runs from Georgetown to Grant and is paved the whole way, with views of 14,065-foot Mount Bierstadt near the top. Plan on about an hour of driving without stops.
Season note
Parts of the byway have winter closure points, so the full road isn't always open late in the year.
02Boreas Pass
Boreas Pass Road follows the old South Park and Pacific railroad bed on a gentle grade, so it climbs without any steep pitches. It runs from Breckenridge over the Continental Divide down to Como. The north side is smoother than the south.
Campsites start a few minutes outside Breckenridge, which makes this a great Friday night drive after work.
Altitude check
The summit is over 11,000 feet. If anyone gets a pounding headache or nausea, head back down.
Do this trip in Aspen
Bed, kitchen, fridge and power already packed. $350 / night, 3 night minimum.
03Rampart Range Road
Rampart Range Road (Forest Road 300) runs through Pike National Forest between Sedalia and Woodland Park. It's the closest of the four to Denver and Colorado Springs. In the Rampart Range Recreation Area you camp only in numbered sites, each with a fire ring and picnic table, for a nightly fee.
Season note
The recreation area roads close by December 1 and reopen when conditions allow, usually in May.
04Kebler Pass
Kebler Pass is the longest drive from Denver on this list, and it's worth planning a trip around. The road from Crested Butte to Paonia goes through one of the largest aspen groves in the country, so late September is the time to go. The road is graded dirt with gentle grades and closes in winter.
05Side by side
| Route | Best for | Road | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guanella Pass | First trip, big views | Paved | Summer to fall |
| Boreas Pass | History, Friday nights | Gravel | Late spring to Nov |
| Rampart Range | Closest to the city | Dirt | May to Dec 1 |
| Kebler Pass | Fall aspens | Gravel | Late May to Nov |
06Quick answers
Do I need 4x4 for these routes?
No. All four are paved or graded gravel that most vehicles drive in dry conditions. Aspen handles them easily.
Sources
- Guanella Pass: fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/guanella-pass-scenic-byway, colorado.com/byways/guanella-pass
- Boreas Pass: fdrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Boreas_Pass_Road.pdf, coloradounited.com/blog/boreas-pass-colorado
- Rampart Range: fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/rampart-range-recreation-area
- Kebler Pass: gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/blog/kebler-pass