Black Bear Pass's east side near Silverton; the Telluride switchbacks lie beyond
Black Bear Pass Road
Jeep road
About
Black Bear Pass Road is a notorious jeep road over the mountains into Telluride. It starts at the 11,018-foot summit of Red Mountain Pass on US 550, between Ouray and Silverton, and climbs to Black Bear Pass at 12,840 feet. Then it drops through Ingram Basin, past Ingram Lake and the Black Bear Mine, and down a run of steep rock steps and tight, narrow switchbacks to the Bridal Veil Falls powerplant above town.
The Tourism Board lists it at 8.5 miles and rates it experts only, for experienced drivers in high-clearance four-wheel drives. It's one way, downhill, from the pass to Bridal Veil Falls, then two-way into town, so drivers start at Red Mountain Pass. You can also hike or bike it.
History
Country singer C. W. McCall made the road the subject of a 1975 spoken-word song and album, both called Black Bear Road.
When to go
It's a summer and fall road, closed in winter. By mid-July 2026 the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office had announced it open, and the county closed it for the winter on November 3, 2026. The county says it aims to reopen the passes as early as it safely can once summer arrives, so check its pass conditions page before you go.
Good to know
Rental cars aren't allowed on this road, according to the Tourism Board.
The sheriff's office says only experienced drivers in four-wheel-drive vehicles with low-range gearing should try it, and that regular SUVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles don't have the clearance it needs.
If you'd rather ride along, the Tourism Board lists local tour guides for it. There's room to park at the top of the pass, with views into Ingram Basin.
Price
No fee to use the road is listed by San Miguel County or the Tourism Board. Tour companies set their own prices.
Run Black Bear Pass Road? Offer a coupon here for free.
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