121 Mountain Passes to Explore in United States

Cochetopa Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. The pass is located on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 11,991 feet. It is one of the lowest passes on the Continental Divide in Colorado. The pass is traversed by State Highway 114, which connects the town of Saguache with the San Luis Valley. The pass is located within the San Isabel National Forest, and is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing.

Connors Pass is a beautiful natural landmark located in White Pine County, Nevada. It is a mountain pass that rises to an elevation of over 7,000 feet and is situated in the Egan Range, a subrange of the Great Basin Mountain Range.The pass offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the snow-capped peaks of the Snake Range and the expansive valleys that stretch out below. It is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Cordova Pass is a 11,260 foot mountain pass just outside of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. It is reached via the Apishapa Road, a leg of the Scenic Highway of Legends. Most of the time, the pass may be traversed by passenger vehicles, although it is not accessible from mid-November to late May.There are vault toilets, several picnic tables and a couple of primitive campsites in the summit area. This is a "Fee Area".

A high mountain pass on the Continental Divide of the Americas in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. It rises to the west out of Buena Vista, heading over the Continental Divide. It’s an amazing mountain pass to see colorful fall aspen groves. It connects with Almont near Crested Butte, making it an excellent summer trip. The road closes in winter due to heavy snowfall, usually sometime in October.

Cucharas Pass is a high mountain pass located on the boundary of Huerfano and Las Animas counties, in south central Colorado in the United States. The road winds its way through Cuchara, where you will begin to see the old volcanic dykes of Stonewall, Colorado. The Cuchara river will accompany you through most of your Northern journey. The region gets its name from the spoon-like shape of the valley, with "cuchara" being the Spanish word for "spoon."

Cumberland Pass is a high mountain pass in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The pass is traversed by Forest Road 765 and can be accessed from the towns of Tincup to the north and Pitkin to the south. The Cumberland Pass road was built in 1882, connecting the mining towns of Tin Cup to the north and Pitkin to the south. Evidence of past and present human activities can be found at Cumberland Pass.

This is a high mountain pass that traverses the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. It is located west of the town of Ouray, and its highest point is 12,925 feet. The divide takes its name from the fact that it separates the headwaters of two major rivers, the Gunnison River and the San Miguel River. The scenery along the Dallas Divide is some of the most picturesque in Colorado, with towering peaks and lush valleys. In addition, the area is home to a variety of wildlife.

Denali Pass is a high mountain pass located within Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, USA. This pass is a notable feature in the Alaska Range and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. It is situated within Denali National Park and Preserve in the interior of Alaska. It is positioned along the ridgeline of the Alaska Range, providing a strategic viewpoint for those exploring the park

Douglas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.526m above the sea level. It is not an especially high summit relative to other Colorado passes, and the road, though reasonably steep on the south side, has no tight spots and only a few switchbacks.The summit gives an unusual view of the northeast face of the La Sal Mountains, 76 miles away in Utah.

Dunckley Pass is a high mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. The pass is located on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 12,943 feet. Dunckley Pass is traversed by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and is a popular destination for backpacking, day hikes, and horseback riding. The pass is also used by off-road vehicles and mountain bikes. Dunckley Pass provides stunning views of the Rio Grande River valley and the surrounding mountains.

The Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway is one of only seven nationally designated byways in California and 151 in the nation.Ebbetts is the eastern of two passes in the area traversed by State Route 4. The western pass is the Pacific Grade Summit. The pass is registered as a California Historical Landmark. The Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile long National Scenic Trail crosses State Route 4 at Ebbetts Pass.

Eccles Pass is a popular summit in Summit County. The pass is located on the Continental Divide, making it a popular destination for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Eccles Pass is named for John Eccles, who was the first person to successfully climb the pass in 1867. The pass is accessible from both sides of the Divide, and there are several hiking trails that lead to the summit. From the top of Eccles Pass, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Elwood Pass is located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. It is a dirt road that runs for approximately 2.5 miles between the towns of Meeker and Rangely. The pass was originally used by ranchers and farmers to transport their goods between the two towns. Today, Elwood Pass is used primarily by recreationists. It is a popular route for fishing, camping, and hiking. The scenery along the pass is beautiful, with towering mountains, pristine forests, and crystal-clear streams.

Emigrant Pass, the scenic wonderland of Eureka County, Nevada, truly takes your breath away. Named after the early pioneers who made their way through the rugged terrain, this pass is a road less traveled that promises to leave you in awe. The winding turns and steep inclines may seem daunting at first, but the payoff is well worth it. The jaw-dropping panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges and vast open spaces are nothing short of extraordinary.

Engineer Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.901m above the sea level, in the U.S. state of Colorado.Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 59 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, fishing, and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

Fremont Pass is one of the highest, most scenic roads in Colorado, and is named after famed American west explorer John C. Frémont.It forms the continental divide on the border between Lake County and Summit County. The pass is named for John C. Frémont, an explorer of the American West who discovered the pass. Despite being one of the highest mountain passes in the state, the only steep part is the switchback on the final ascent toward the Climax mine on the south side.

Georgia Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. The pass is located in Summit County, on the border between the towns of Breckenridge and Alma. Georgia Pass rises to an elevation of 12,095 feet, making it one of the highest passes in the state. The pass provides access to the beautiful summit county area, which is known for its ski resorts, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation. Georgia Pass is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is a great introduction to Colorado's Rocky Mountains.This road, while a detour from Hwy. 285, provides a perfect snapshot of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem in only 22 short miles. At the summit of the pass, hiking trails lead east to Mount Bierstadt among other places.The road is no longer maintained in the winter and expect closure after the first heavy snow in the winter.

The Gunsight Pass Trail is not only a popular day hike, but is also a very popular 2 to 3 night backpacking opportunity. With backcountry campsites located at Gunsight Lake, Lake Ellen Wilson, and near the Sperry Chalet, you can take your time and really enjoy this beautiful area.

Hagerman Pass is located in Pitkin County, Colorado. The pass is named for geologist Albert H. Hagerman, who surveyed the area in the late 19th century. Hagerman pass is situated at an elevation of 11,933 feet and it provides a crossing point for the Continental Divide. The pass is accessible by a 4x4 road and it offerst breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Although Hagerman pass is open all year round, it is recommended that visitors use caution when driving in winter conditions.