Cottonwood Pass
The highest paved pass over the Continental Divide, linking Buena Vista and Taylor Park above the Collegiate Peaks.
About Cottonwood Pass
Cottonwood Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,126 feet between Buena Vista in the Arkansas Valley and Taylor Park on the Gunnison side. With the west side now paved, it is considered the highest paved pass over the Divide in the country, edging out Independence Pass by 31 feet.
From Buena Vista the road climbs more than 4,200 feet through aspen and pine past the Collegiate Peaks, then tops out above treeline on open tundra. The west side drops into Taylor Park, with its reservoir and views toward the Elk Mountains.
The summit parking area is a quick walk from tundra viewpoints along the Divide, making this one of the easiest places in Colorado to stand above 12,000 feet with a camera.
At 12,126 feet, this is the highest paved crossing of the Continental Divide reachable from Buena Vista, connecting the Arkansas Valley to the Taylor Park area near Crested Butte. The overlook near the summit puts you above nearly everything around it, and the road itself — visible switchbacking up the mountainside below — makes a genuinely strong leading line into a wide shot when the light's coming from low on the horizon.
History
Dave Wood and his crew built the first rough wagon road over the pass in 1877, the year after Colorado became a state, to haul supplies to mining camps and ore back out. Traffic faded when the mining boom ended in the 1890s.
The Forest Service built the modern road in 1958-1959. The west side was a long gravel climb until a county and federal paving project began in 2017; the paved road opened in September 2019.
Photographing Cottonwood Pass
Best light: Sunrise at the summit lights the Collegiate Peaks to the north and east and the tundra in front of you; sunset glows on the peaks above Taylor Park to the west. Aspens on the lower Buena Vista side and toward Taylor Park usually peak in mid to late September.
Shots to look for
- From the tundra just above the summit lot, a wide angle along the Continental Divide with the road switchbacks below
- Telephoto shots of the Collegiate Peaks catching first light from the summit
- Aspen groves and the winding road on the Buena Vista side in fall color
- Taylor Park Reservoir and the Elk Mountains beyond, compressed with a long lens from the west side
- Night skies and the Milky Way from the dark, high summit area
Photo tips
- Weather above 12,000 ft changes fast; summer afternoon storms are common.
- Stay on established paths on the tundra; alpine plants are fragile.
- The summit lot can be busy on fall weekends; arrive early.
- Even in September, wind and cold at the summit call for a sturdy tripod and warm layers.
Know before you go
- The pass is closed in winter; it traditionally opens Memorial Day and closes around November 1. Check current road status.
- There are no services at the summit; fuel up in Buena Vista.
- Altitude can affect visitors coming straight from low elevation.
- Watch for cyclists on the steep grades.
Prints from Cottonwood Pass
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cottonwood Pass paved?
Yes. The east side was already paved, and the west side to Taylor Park was paved in a project that opened in September 2019.
When is Cottonwood Pass open?
It is closed in winter and has traditionally opened around Memorial Day and closed around November 1; check current road conditions.
How high is Cottonwood Pass?
12,126 feet, making it the highest paved pass across the Continental Divide in the U.S.
Featured in: Best Fall Color Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Buena Vista · Taylor Park · Collegiate Peaks · Independence Pass
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: crestedbuttenews.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.