Off-road Medano Pass Primitive Road, Colorado

Add to My List Check Off

Part of the mountain watershed of the Great Sand Dunes, Medano Pass (pronounced MED-ah-no; in the original Spanish the accent is over the e) is a scenic backcountry route. The rugged road takes you through soft sand around the eastern side of the dunefield, up through a forested mountain canyon, then over 10,000' Medano Pass, eventually joining Highway 69 in the Wet Mountain Valley. In the first 5 miles of the road, there are few places to turn around: Point of No Return (1.1 mile), Sand Pit (1.8 miles), Castle Creek (2.6 miles), and the first Medano Creek crossing (4.5 miles). 4WD vehicles are required for this road. Mini-SUVs with low clearance, wagons, and similar vehicles may get stuck in the sand or creek crossings. All vehicles and drivers must be street-licensed to drive in Colorado; off-road vehicles and unlicensed motorcycles are not permitted. The road includes soft sand for about 4 miles, 9 creek crossings, and a rocky roadbed near the summit of the pass. When sand becomes soft during dry times, dropping tire air pressure to about 20 pounds may be necessary. Full tire pressure is required to drive over rocks higher on the pass, so if you do drop pressure, you will need to either 1) have your own air compressor to refill before going higher on the pass, or 2) drive the road from east to west, and reduce pressure after going over the pass but before driving through the soft sand. A free air compressor is available at the western entrance to the road in the national park (open in warmer months only). The Medano Pass Road is not a shortcut to save time. Driving speed averages 5-10 mph. Plan on 2 1/2 to 3 hours to drive the entire 22 mile road. The road's eastern entrance is in Huerfano County; the closest town to the eastern entrance is Westcliffe. Click View Park Map at left to see the official park map with zoom-in capability. This map shows the Medano Pass Primitive Road's route through the park and preserve. An area map of the Medano Pass Primitive Road showing regional towns and highways is also available. 4WD vehicles are required on this road. Mini-SUVs, wagons, and similar vehicles with low clearance may get stuck in the sand or creek crossings. ATVs are not permitted anywhere in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. All vehicles must be highway-legal in Colorado. Contact the Visitor Center for the latest information and conditions: 719-378-6395.

5.0 out of 5 Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›