- Outstanding scenery in the entire area.
Italian Creek Rd – Texas Creek
Cottonwood Pass – Cumberland Pass
Spring Creek
Taylor Canyon-Gold Medal trout waters
Hundred’s of beautiful dispersed camping spots.
Cottonwood Pass
CR 306/CR 209 is now paved all the way to Taylor Park!
How to get there:
Starts at the intersection of US-24/CR306 (Main St) in Buena Vista.
- From C470/US285 to Buena Vista
- 104 miles 2 hr 10 mins
- GPS
- US 24/CR 306
- 38.8422 -106.1326
In General: Seasonal Closure
- Length: 33 miles
- Driving Time: min. 1 hour 20 mins
CR 306 is paved all the way to Cottonwood Pass (elev 12126′) then changes to CR 209.
Texas Creek
One of my first 4wd experiences.
How to get there:
From Taylor Park CR 740/CR 209 drive 1.2 miles north.
- From C470/US285 to Taylor Park
- 137 miles 3 hr 30 mins
- GPS
- CR 740/CR 740C
- 38.8525 -106.5649
In General:
- Length: 5 miles
- Driving Time: min. 30 mins
This route starts out relatively level and open and enters some lush meadows paralleling Texas Creek. The road “ends” in the vicinity of the Texas Lakes, passing numerous primitive camping sites along the way. Beyond this point it becomes a true 4wd with low range required.
Spring Creek
An awesome campground at Spring Creek Reservoir.
How to get there:
From Taylor Park CR740/CCR209 drive 7 miles north.
- From C470/US285 to Taylor Park
- 137 miles 3 hr 30 mins
- GPS
- SR740/CR748
- 38.9257 -106.5995
In General:
- Length: 22 miles
- Driving Time: min. 1 hour 20 mins
This route,in good conditions, is easily travelled in all passenger vehicles. The last portion is paved and connects to CR740 near the southern end of the Taylor Canyon route.
Italian Creek
Starts out easy, then…
How to get there:
From Taylor Park CR740/CCR209 drive 9.5 miles north.
- From C470/US 285 to Taylor Park
- 137 miles 3 hr 30 mins
- GPS
- CR 740/CR 759
- 38.9541 -106.6213
In General:
- Length: 7 miles
- Driving Time: min. 40 mins
This route starts out relatively level and open in lush meadows paralleling Italian Creek, passing numerous primitive camping sites along the way. It is passable to 2wd vehicles for a number of miles, but will become a difficult 4wd road, with lo range and experience required. Drive as far as you are comfortable.
Photo Ops:
Another scenic route in a scenic area! Watch for wildflowers in a lush area around some private cabins; they can be fantastic.
Taylor Canyon
Gold Medal trout water, rafting, climbing, and more!
How to get there:
Starts from Taylor Park CR 740/CCR 209 and heads south.
- From C470/US 285 to Taylor Park
- 137 miles 3 hr 30 mins
- GPS
- CR 740/CR 209
- 38.8422 -106.5574
In General:
- Length: 25 miles
- Driving Time: min. 1 hour
The route passes the Taylor Reservoir, a marina, a stretch of Gold Medal trout water, eight National Forest campgrounds, cliffs suitable for climbing, rafting opportunites—it has it all!
Cumberland Pass
Historic road open to ATV’s!
How to get there:
Starts from Taylor Park CR 740/CR 209 and heads south.
- From C470/US285 to Taylor Park
- 137 miles 3 hr 30 mins
- GPS
- CR 740/CR 209
- 38.8422 -106.5574
In General:
- Length: 44 miles
- Driving Time: min. 2 hours
Cumberland Pass is one of Colorado’s most scenic and historic passes. The road is passable by most passenger vehicles and is open to ATV’s.