At a Glance
- Trails from Town: 7 major routes
- Difficulty Range: Easy to Expert
- Jeep Rental: In-town available
- Season Open: Late Jun–Oct
Ouray's Best Jeep Routes
Yankee Boy Basin is the most popular route for stock 4WDs — the lower road is paved, and even two-wheel-drive vehicles can reach the first trailhead. Upper Yankee Boy (4WD required) enters a stunning alpine basin of wildflowers and waterfalls below Mt. Sneffels.
Engineer Pass via Henson Creek is the classic moderate Jeep route from Ouray — two-way, well-maintained, and offering access to the ghost town of Capitol City. The pass summit at 12,800 feet has sweeping San Juan views.
Advanced Routes: Imogene and the Alpine Loop
Imogene Pass (13,114 ft) is the challenge route — narrow shelves, significant exposure, and a summit that requires both a capable vehicle and confident driving. The payoff is the highest improved road in Ouray County and direct access to Telluride from the top.
The full Alpine Loop traverses two 12,000+ foot passes and passes through Animas Forks ghost town. Most drivers take 2 days to do the full loop, camping at one of the dispersed sites along the route.
Jeep Base Camp at The Lumberyard
The Lumberyard Condos is steps from the Jeep rental companies and trailhead access roads. The full kitchen means you can prep multi-day trail lunches, and the secure parking accommodates tow vehicles and trailers.
Book your Jeep adventure trip to Ouray at ouraycondos.com — your hosts can recommend current trail conditions and the best rental companies.