Ute Pass

Ute Pass is a mountain passage west of Colorado Springs that extends across approximately 24 kilometers between Florissant and Woodland Park at an elevation of 2,805 meters. The paved U.S. Highway 24 connects the valley with mountain communities and provides access to the Ute Pass Regional Trail, which features several hiking routes and viewpoints.

Ute tribes used this passage for centuries to escape summer heat and reach hunting grounds in the Colorado mountains. The historic route was later developed into a modern transportation corridor that shaped the settlement of nearby mountain communities.

Nine interpretive panels along the Ute Pass Regional Trail explain Ute traditions, the region's geology, and how the environment is managed in this area.

The road is accessible year-round with parking available at multiple stops along the pass, particularly at trailheads and viewpoints. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions, especially in fall and winter when snow and ice can affect driving.

Visitors have developed a tradition of building stone cairns along the Ute Pass Regional Trail, particularly at a loop three kilometers from the Manitou Incline trailhead. These informal structures have become an unexpected feature of the landscape that many people do not notice at first.

Location: Teller County

GPS coordinates: 38.94170,-105.15700

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00