Owl Creek Pass Will Be OPEN for Fall Colors 2026
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
USFS GMUG Official Closure Order
Updated September 19, 2026: Good news for anyone planning a fall colors trip to the San Juan Mountains! As of September 15, 2026, Owl Creek Pass, Silver Jack Reservoir and several surrounding recreation areas have reopened to the public following closures associated with the Gold Mountain Fire.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests reduced the Gold Mountain Fire closure beginning September 15 at 12:01 a.m., reopening several popular travel corridors just in time for fall colors.
What is OPEN?
As of September 15, the following areas have reopened:
- Owl Creek Pass
- Silver Jack Reservoir area
- West Fork Cimarron
- East Fork Cimarron
This means you can once again drive Owl Creek Pass between Ridgway and the Cimarron/Silver Jack area, making this one of my favorite fall scenic drives in Western Colorado accessible for the 2026 season.
Some Areas Are Still CLOSED
The entire Gold Mountain Fire area has not reopened. Several roads and trails remain closed because of post-fire hazards, including:
- Middle Fork Cimarron
- Cow Creek
- Dexter Creek
- Cutler Creek
Please respect all posted closures and do not use older maps or closure information from earlier this summer to determine where you can travel.
What to Know Before You Go
While Owl Creek Pass and the Silver Jack area are officially open, this landscape was impacted by the Gold Mountain Fire and conditions are different from a typical fall season.
The Forest Service warns that recently burned areas can still have hazards including falling trees and snags, unstable ground, rolling debris, burned root holes, lingering smoke and ash, and an increased risk of flash flooding and debris flows.
Check current conditions and the weather before you go, stay on open roads and trails, and never enter an area that is posted as closed. Conditions and closures can change quickly.
Driving Owl Creek Pass for Fall Colors
Owl Creek Pass is one of my favorite fall drives in the San Juan Mountains. The route connects the Ridgway area with the Cimarron Valley, passing huge aspen groves, views of Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Rock, and the Silver Jack Reservoir area.
The road is primarily unpaved but is generally maintained and normally passable to most passenger vehicles when conditions are dry. Rain, mud, early snow and post-fire conditions can quickly change that, so always check current road conditions before heading out.
For the most up-to-date information on the Gold Mountain Fire closure, check the official GMUG National Forests closure information before your trip.
Please remember: Reopening does not mean every road, trail or recreation site in the surrounding burn area is open. Stick to the reopened travel corridors and obey all signs and closures you encounter.
Previous Information Now Outdated:
Official Closure Information
FYI: If Owl Creek Pass is on your Colorado fall colors itinerary for 2026, it’s time to make a Plan B.
Due to the Gold Mountain and Elk wildfires, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests have extended the closure affecting the Owl Creek Pass area through December 1, 2026, unless the order is rescinded earlier.
That means the area is currently expected to remain closed throughout the entire 2026 fall color season.
The closure includes several popular fall destinations in the area, including:
- Owl Creek Pass and the overlook
- Middle Fork of the Cimarron
- Deb's Meadow + Irrigation Canal (seen in feature photo)
- Silver Jack Reservoir
- Additional surrounding roads and recreation areas included in the Forest Service closure order
Owl Creek Pass is normally one of my favorite fall drives in Southwest Colorado, with huge views of the Cimarrons and some incredible stretches of aspens. Unfortunately, I would not plan a 2026 fall trip around this area.
Closures can always change, but with the current order extending through December 1, I’d start looking at alternative fall color locations now rather than counting on it reopening for peak season.
Official closure information: GMUG National Forest – Gold Mountain and Elk Wildfires Area Closure Order
Alternatives to Owl Creek Pass
If you're looking for alternatives, West Kebler Pass, Dallas Divide, and Telluride typically peak at the exact same time as Silverjack Reservoir and Owl Creek Pass.
