Ouray and the San Juan Mountains (Alpine Loop)

Ouray, CO

Managed by U.S. Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Ouray Ranger District

Vehicles allowed

SxSATVE-bikeDirt BikeADV4x4SandcarBuggy

Season

Summer and fall. Ouray County starts clearing passes in May and tries to open them by July 4. Forest Service lists Black Bear and Imogene for July, Ophir for June. Forest roads have a soft-roadbed closure Dec 1 to May 15.Source: Ouray County and San Miguel County · Oct 11, 2026

Closures

Closures: not checked yet. Check with U.S. Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Ouray Ranger District

Official map

Alpine Loop Back Country Byway brochure and mapBureau of Land Management, Gunnison Field Office · Checked Oct 15, 2026

Columbine District Motor Vehicle Use Map 2026Forest Service, San Juan National Forest · Checked Oct 15, 2026

Uncompahgre National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map - Mountain Division 2025Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · Checked Oct 15, 2026

Gunnison District Motor Vehicle Use Map - North 2025Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · Checked Oct 15, 2026

Gunnison District Motor Vehicle Use Map - South 2025Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · Checked Oct 15, 2026