121 Mountain Passes to Explore in United States

Halfmoon Pass is a scenic mountain pass located in Saguache County, situated at an elevation of 12,059 feet and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The area around the pass is popular with hikers, campers, and mountain bikers, and it is also a popular destination for backcountry skiers. Halfmoon Pass is one of several high mountain passes in Colorado that remain open year-round, and it provides access to a number of beautiful alpine lakes.

Hancock Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.702m, located on the boundary between Chaffee and Gunnison counties, in western Colorado. The pass is on the border between Chaffee and Gunnison counties and between the Gunnison and San Isabel national forests. The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It's called Forest Road 839 and Forest Road 299. It’s moderate difficulty and is very rocky and slow going.

Harrison Pass is a mountain pass, approximately 25 miles southeast of Ruby Valley. It stands at an elevation of 7,145 feet and provides a scenic route through the Ruby Mountains. The pass is named after Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States.Harrison Pass is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and off-road enthusiasts. It offers stunning views of the surrounding area, including the Ruby Valley, the Ruby Mountains, and the Great Basin.

Hatcher Pass, located in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska, is a remarkable mountain pass that offers visitors access to a wealth of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical significance. This pass is a well-loved destination, known for its scenic landscapes, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities.

Hermit Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.986m above the sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado. It is recommended that beginner riders avoid this road. The route demands 100% concentration.

Hoosier Pass is a high mountain pass that traverses the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. At an elevation of 11,539 feet, it is the highest paved through pass in the Rockies. The pass is located on the border between Park and Summit counties, about 10 miles west of the town of Breckenridge. It provides the quickest route between Denver and points south, such as Pagosa Springs and Albuquerque.

Hope Pass sits just below 13,000 feet in the shadow of Hope Peak. It's a long and fairly technical trek that weaves through dense forest. Enjoy this 8.7-km out-and-back trail near Buena Vista, Colorado. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 21 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

Imogene Pass is a high mountain pass located in the San Miguel County of Colorado. The pass is situated between the towns of Ouray and Telluride, and it provides stunning views of the surrounding area. At an elevation of over 13,000 feet, Imogene Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in the state, and it is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Colorado. The trail to the top of the pass is relatively challenging, but it is well worth the effort for the incredible views.

Independence 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 12,095 feet, in the White River National Forest. It is the highest paved pass in the United States. The pass provides access to the towns of Aspen and Crested Butte, as well as the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area. Independence Pass is typically open from late May to early October, depending on weather conditions.

Johnson Pass is a popular and scenic hiking trail located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor adventure. it is situated on the eastern side of the Kenai Peninsula, approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of the town of Seward and about 85 miles (137 kilometers) south of Anchorage. It is easily accessible via the Seward Highway.

Jones Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.804m (12,480ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Grand counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit has a relatively good road surface given the high altitude at pass. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Jones Pass is a 12,454 foot mountain pass along the Great Continental Divide by Empire, CO. It can be reached via a 7 mile out and back road in the beautiful Arapaho National Forest, and is accessible to most vehicles with decent ground clearance. t is one of the iconic location with beautiful views and also there are so many things to do.

Juniper Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.368m (11,049ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County. The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Colorado State Highway 103, aka Squaw Pass Road. The harrowing highway has steep drop-offs on both sides.

Kebler Pass is a terrific high-mountain pass connecting Crested Butte with Paonia to the west. It is a mostly gravel road and is closed during the winter months. A few portions of the road near the top of the pass have been paved. In the summer, the road is accessible by all passenger vehicles.

Kenosha Pass is a mountain pass that traverses the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The pass is located in Park County, west of Denver and northeast of the town of Fairplay. Kenosha Pass Summit is 11,539 feet (3,513 m) above sea level, making it one of the highest mountain passes in Colorado. The pass is named for the Kenosha Mountains, a subrange of the Rockies that it crosses. Kenosha Pass is a popular recreation spot for hiking, camping, picnicking, and fishing.

La Veta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.869m above the sea level, located on the boundary between Costilla and Huerfano counties, in south central Colorado in the United States.b While this new route is slightly higher, it has no sharp curves and is thus better suited to modern highway traffic.

Lizard Head Pass is located in San Miguel County, Colorado. The pass is situated between the towns of Telluride and Rico, and provides access to the Lizard Head Wilderness area. The pass is named for the Lizard Head peak, which is visible from the pass and is a popular destination for climbers. The pass itself is fairly easy to hike, with a gradual ascent and a few switchbacks. However, the trail can be extremely rocky in places, so hikers should be sure to wear proper footwear.

Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass located on the Continental Divide, west of Denver, in the Arapaho National Forest. It is one of the most popular routes for climbers and hikers in Colorado. The peak of the pass is at an elevation of 12,600 feet. The pass gets its name from its close proximity to the town of Loveland, Colorado. The pass is also a popular winter recreation area, with several ski resorts located nearby.

Marshall Pass is a high mountain pass that has been used for centuries by Native Americans and early settlers. The pass was named for James Marshall, who discovered gold in California in 1848. In the late 1800s, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad built a line through the pass, and it became an important route for trade and travel. Today, Marshall Pass is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing. The scenic route offers stunning views of the valley below.

McClure Pass is located in the Elk Mountains of Colorado and is named after Colonel John McClure, who surveyed the area in 1879. The pass sits at an elevation of 8,755 feet and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months. McClure Pass is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles.