Kebler Pass is one of the most iconic scenic drives in Colorado, especially during the fall. The roughly 30-mile long back road near Crested Butte winds through the largest aspen grove in the state proving stunning views of the West Elk mountains along the way. This guide shares everything you need to know about driving Kebler Pass in the fall so you can plan the perfect trip.
I am Kebler Pass’ self-proclaimed biggest fan and make a point to drive it at least once every fall. Last year was the busiest that I have ever seen, but it’s understandable considering it’s one of the best drives to see fall colors in Colorado. It’s definitely a drive that can’t be missed if you’re visiting Crested Butte in the fall, so here are some tips to help you prepare.

Insider Tip: Get an EARLY start if you want to avoid the worst of the traffic! Bonus, if you go around sunrise (around 7am in late September) you’ll also get great light for photos.
About Kebler Pass
Kebler Pass, also known as County Road 12, connects the small town of Crested Butte to Highway 133 near Paonia (one of the most underrated mountain towns in Colorado!). The majority of the road is dirt, but it’s very well maintained and can easily be driven with a passenger car. It takes about an hour to drive the entire road, but you will probably want to factor in extra time to stop during the fall.
There are a couple of sections of Kebler Pass that are paved. This includes the beginning of the road off of Highway 133 and the steepest section of the road leading up to the actual pass, which isn’t as prominent as most mountain passes in Colorado. There are some hairpin turns in this area, so don’t use it as an opportunity to speed (I’ve seen cars that have driven off the road here!).
When to Drive Kebler Pass to See the Aspens Changing
The best time to drive Kebler Pass if you want to see fall colors is usually late September during the last 10 days or so. However, this area of Colorado is currently experiencing extreme-exceptional drought conditions, which typically means that fall colors will peak early (possibly even by mid-September). By early October a lot of the aspens will probably have already dropped their leaves, but you may still be able to find pockets of color here or there.

Driving Kebler Pass Responsibly
With so many people driving over Kebler Pass during the fall, it’s important for everyone to drive safely and responsibly to help minimize the impact on the surrounding environment. This includes driving the speed limit, which is 30 mph along most of the road. Both speeding and driving too slowly can potentially be dangerous and cause accidents.
If you want to take your time and enjoy the fall colors by driving slowly, please be courteous and pull over to let faster drivers pass when it’s safe to do so. Many local workers and businesses rely on Kebler Pass to get between Crested Butte and Delta County, so it’s important to try to avoid holding up traffic.
If you’re going to stop to take photos, make sure that you pull off of the road completely. There are a number of pullouts along Kebler Pass where you can safely park. Be aware that the road gets fairly narrow as you drive through some of the aspen forest, and stopping or parking in the middle of the road creates unnecessary hazards.
In addition to driving safely it’s also important to recreate responsibly and practice Leave No Trace. Remember to treat the aspens with respect and never carve into live trees. This creates wounds that can spread pests, fungus, and disease, and since aspen groves share a single root system, harming one tree can hurt them all.

Where to See the Best Fall Colors Along Kebler Pass
I recommend driving Kebler Pass from Highway 133 over to Crested Butte. I think this provides a much better build up to the best fall colors than driving over from Crested Butte (although you really can’t go wrong driving either direction).
The first stretch of the road from Highway 133 easy and mostly paved. You’ll pass a campground, RV park, and a handful of homes and ranches. Once you pass the turn for the Erickson Springs Campground, the road gets steeper with dropoffs on the side. There’s plenty of room for traffic flowing in both directions, but you’ll definitely want to stay alert. There’s a wide pullout here with a gorgeous view of the Ragged Mountains.

After a couple of miles the road flattens out as you begin to approach the first major stand of aspens. I’ll be honest, the first aspens you see as you approach Marcellina Mountain don’t look great. A lot of them are dead and scraggly. Warmer temperatures, coupled with drought conditions, have put a lot of stress on aspen groves growing at lower elevations.
As you continue driving along Kebler Pass and you get higher in elevation the aspen forest becomes much more lush and vibrant. The trunks are bigger, the canopies are fuller, and this is where you’ll find some of the best fall colors in Colorado as you approach the turn for Lost Lake.
Horse Ranch Park
After the turn for Lost Lake you’ll reenter the forest and experience more vibrant aspens as you approach Horse Ranch Park, which is one of the most popular areas to stop along Kebler Pass. There are a couple of narrow areas where it can be difficult to pass oncoming traffic here, so make sure to take your time and don’t get too distracted by the fall colors if you’re driving.

After Horse Ranch Park the scenery opens up a bit as you drive along the North Fork of the Gunnison River before you make your way up to the actual pass. You’ll still pass some aspens, but at this point you’re out of the thick of it. The rest of the drive along Kebler Pass, however, is still gorgeous. As you approach Crested Butte there is a little bit of a shelf road, which may make some drivers nervous, but the road is wide and it’s easy to pass oncoming traffic.

Things to Do Along Kebler Pass
- Hike the Dark Canyon, Irwin, and Dyke Trail loop. This is probably the most popular fall hike in Crested Butte, so expect to encounter lots of other hikers on the trail. With that said, it’s popular for a reason and the sweeping views of the aspens are breathtaking.
- Go paddleboarding on Lake Irwin (free) or Lost Lake ($6 parking fee). There are spur roads off of Kebler Pass that take you up to both lakes. You can also find some of the best hikes in Crested Butte around the lakes.
- There’s dispersed camping available along Kebler Pass, however it is limited to designated sites only in Gunnison County. Find more information about the designated campsites around Crested Butte. There are no amenities, so be prepared to be fully self-sufficient and pack out all of your waste!

More Colorado Fall Content You May Enjoy
- Complete Guide to Visiting Crested Butte in the Fall
- The Best Fall Hikes in Crested Butte
- Ultimate Colorado Fall Colors Road Trip Itinerary
- The Best Scenic Drives to See Fall Colors in Colorado
- Complete Guide to Visiting Telluride in the Fall
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