Lizard Head Pass, Road mountain pass in San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

Lizard Head Pass sits at 10,222 feet (3,116 m) on State Highway 145, in the saddle between Lizard Head and Sheep Mountain in the San Juan Mountains. The road crosses the Dolores–San Miguel county line about 12 miles south of the Telluride turnoff, with mild grades on both sides.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad operated through this mountain pass from 1891 until 1952, employing specialized Galloping Goose railcars designed for mountain terrain. The railroad closure marked the end of rail transportation through the region.

The pass is named for the 12,995-foot Lizard Head spire, whose outline is said to resemble a lizard's head. The name passed from the peak to the saddle and then to the highway crossing it.

State Highway 145 remains open year-round and offers a parking area with restrooms at the summit for visitor convenience. Winter travel requires proper vehicle preparation and awareness of snow and ice conditions on the mountain road.

The pass sits in the saddle between Lizard Head and Sheep Mountain, and the 12,995-foot Lizard Head spire that gives it its name rises nearby. The mild grades that suit cars were a serious obstacle for trains, which is why the Rio Grande Southern turned to its Galloping Goose railcars.