Is High Park Road in Colorado Paved?

Is High Park Road in Colorado Paved?

Usa, north-america

Length

29.77 km

Elevation

2,550 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, road trippers, buckle up for High Park Road, aka County Road 11, snaking through the gorgeous Fremont and Teller counties in southern Colorado! This beauty is totally paved and part of the historic Gold Belt Scenic Byway. It used to be a simple trail connecting ranches and farms to Cañon City, but now it's a smooth ride through some amazing scenery.

Perched high in the Rockies, High Park Road summits at a cool 8,366 feet above sea level. Good news: it’s usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter, as those mountain conditions can cause temporary closures.

This 18.5-mile stretch runs north-south from CO-9 to County Road 112. Budget about 30 minutes for the drive if you're not stopping to soak in the views (but trust me, you’ll WANT to!). Get ready for an unforgettable journey.

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
29.77 km
Max Elevation
2,550 m
Difficulty
easy

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