Colorado · Camping · Near Telluride

Owl Creek Pass

Jun–Sep
best months

Is Owl Creek Pass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Owl Creek Pass, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 10,117 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
  • Ouray Ranger DistrictGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Owl Creek Pass is a Forest Service campground in the Ouray Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. It sits at the pass itself, and the Owl Creek Pass Sno trail starts just 0.1 mile away, making it a natural base for exploring the surrounding area. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake City, which sits about 1,400 feet lower, show July highs around 77°F with lows near 44°F. That station's figures are only a rough guide, since temperatures at the pass run cooler. Several other destinations are close by. The West Fork Cimarron Dispersed and Middle Fork Cimarron Dispersed campgrounds are both within about 3 miles, and the Uncompahgre/Big Blue Wilderness climbing area is about 3 miles away. Cow Creek, a canoeing spot, is roughly 4.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Owl Creek Pass

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Miner's Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 9 mi

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More in Telluride

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Owl Creek Pass

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / -1°

    2. Feb

      36° / 4°

    3. Mar

      43° / 15°

    4. Apr

      51° / 23°

    5. May

      62° / 30°

    6. Jun

      74° / 38°

    7. Jul

      77° / 44°

    8. Aug

      75° / 43°

    9. Sep

      68° / 36°

    10. Oct

      57° / 25°

    11. Nov

      43° / 13°

    12. Dec

      31° / 1°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake City 1nne, CO, 15.9 mi away at 8,714 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Facts about this campground

Rules & access

Fee
No fee

Source: USDA Forest Service recreation sites (EDW)