Driving the Beautiful Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway

When you visit southern Colorado, don’t forget to include a drive along the Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway in your itinerary. This scenic route stretches from South Fork to Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, offering breathtaking views of the mountains, waterfalls, and two historic districts.

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Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway is 1 of the 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways. Further southwest is the San Juan Skyway, known for its famous Million Dollar Highway. I recommend you add this scenic highway to your itinerary as well.

Most people started the Silver Thread Scenic Byway from South Fork, although you can also start it from Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Driving the Silver Thread – Colorado Scenic Byway

The distance between South Fork and Blue Mesa Reservoir is 117 miles. You must prepare at least 3 hours for a one-way trip. You can drive on it any time of year, where views on winter and summer are stunning, and fall is gorgeous, with aspens turning to oranges, reds, and yellows.

When you drive on Silver Thread, cell service can be spotty to no service at some spots. Let your family or friends know when you plan to take this Colorado scenic road.

Another good thing about this scenic byway is it is paved from start to end. That way, you only need a 2WD to drive on it unless you want to do additional scenic byways. Fortunately, you can always rent an OHV/ATV in Creede and Lake City.

The original Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway stretches from South Fork to Lake City. They added Lake City to the Blue Mesa Reservoir section a few years back. On this trip, we did the original road since we came from Pagosa Springs and stayed in Gunnison on the way back to Texas.

Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway Map – South Fork to Lake City

Silver Thread Scenic Byway Highlights

South Fork to Creede

– Not too far after you leave South Fork, look for the remarkable Palisades rock formations on your right.

– On your left is the Rio Grande River. In the summer, people float, kayak, or fish here. If you want to do it, save it for the next day. There are bridges here and there that will make good pictures.

– Then, you will see a sign for the Pool Table on the right. It’s the way to the phenomenal Wheeler Geologic Area. 4×4 vehicles or ATVs are required to access this area, and the trip will take between 8 to 10 hours. You will need a different day trip from South Fork.

– The next stop is Creede, the first mining town in the scenic byway. The views are even more beautiful. There are several pull-offs where you can take pictures of the mountains. Less than a mile before you get to Creede, you will see two old train cars on the left. It will make a beautiful prop for pictures with mountains in the background. I told my husband to stop there on the way back, but it was a mistake. We were too tired to make a stop. It’s better to do it on your way to Creede.

– Once you arrive in Creede and turn to Main Street, you will see the narrow sheer cliffs in the background. It’s a pretty image I saw in a magazine a few years back. I recommend you take a picture of this view. There are boutiques and gift shops in town that you might want to check out. If you arrive around lunchtime, Miners, Kip’s Grill, Tommyknocker Tavern, and Big Doug’s BBQ are some of the best restaurants in town.

– Visit the Creede Underground Mining Museum. They offered exhibits in rooms and tunnels inside a mountain.

– If you are visiting at the right time, check out the show at the award-winning Creede Repertory Theater. USA Today called it “one of the ten best places to see the lights way off Broadway.”

– Another thing that you must do is drive the Bachelor’s Loop. It is a 17-mile self-drive through an unpaved road of Creede’s historic silver mining district and ghost towns, starting just north of town. A guy behind the Visitor Center counter in South Fork said we could do it with our minivan. But just a few yards after climbing the Willow Creek Canyon, our tires started to spin in place. We decided to go back to town after two jeeps came from above. It was a steep, narrow path, so my husband had to go backward. You might rent a jeep in town if you want to do this loop and don’t drive a 4×4.

Creede to Lake City

– Back to Highway 149 and continue to Lake City. There’s an old mining building on the right. Make a quick stop or take a picture from inside the car. It’s up to you.

– Miles later, Rio Grande is snaking through a Fern Creek Area. It looks pretty from a higher ground.

– The first waterfall you will see on Silver Thread Colorado Scenic Byway will be South Clear Creek. It is on the right-hand side. Look for the sign for Silver Thread Campground, as the falls is behind it. Upon entering the Campground, follow the signs for the falls trail to the day-use parking area. The waterfall is not well known, so there’s a good chance you will be the only one visiting. The hike to the falls is short (½ mile round trip) with switchbacks down towering cliffs to a viewpoint. Then, an additional trail will take you to the bottom of the falls. South Clear Creek Falls is a favorite spot for beginner ice climbers during winter.

– The next stop on this Colorado’s Scenic Byway is Rio Grande River (Browns Lake Overlook), about a mile or two on the left-hand side. The third largest river in the US begins here in the snow-capped San Juans. You will find a trail that will lead you to the river.

– Then, you will stop at your second waterfall, the North Clear Creek Falls. It is one of Colorado’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s on the right side, about two minutes from your last stop. Follow the sign to the parking area, take a short walk to the powerful sound, and enjoy the beauty of the falls from behind the fence and railings. This stop has restrooms.

– If you notice, you started climbing when you left Creede. Ahead of you is Spring Creek Pass, with the highest point at 10,901 feet (3,323 m.) The road is steep, and you must travel carefully. At the top of the pass is a Continental Divide and access to the Colorado Trail, where water runs to the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. This stop also has restrooms.

– Windy Point Scenic Overlook offers a beautiful view of mountain peaks surrounding Lake City. There are five fourteeners that you can see from this overlook that is located on the right side. If you spend a night in Lake City, this place is a premier spot for viewing stars in the western skies. Check the stargazing program with the Lake City’s Visitor Center. This stop has restrooms. 

– Another pass and higher is where you stop next. At 11,530 feet (3,514 m) and up to 9% grades on the north side, the Slumgullion Summit is the highest and steepest paved road in Colorado. Look for Slumgullion Earthflow between the summit and Lake City.

– On your way to Lake City, stop at Lake San Cristobal Overlook on the left. Walk a short distance for a stunning view of Colorado’s second-largest natural lake. This lake was formed by the Slumgullion Earthflow.

– Before you enter the city, stop by the Packer Massacre Site on the right side. It is one of the most notorious events in Colorado’s history, the cannibalism by Alfred Packer back in 1874. He killed and ate five fellow gold prospectors when their group was trapped in a blizzard. After he was released from prison, he allegedly became a vegetarian. The massacre site is on private land. 

– Finally, you arrive in Lake City, one of the largest national historic districts in the state, the most remote town in the lower 48. The city has over 200 buildings on the historic registers. Eat, play, stay, do whatever you want in Lake City, the final leg of the Silver Thread – Colorado Scenic Byway.

How to get to South Fork, Colorado.

– From Pagosa Springs, take US-160 E to US-160 W in South Fork for approximately 45 miles (55 min.) You will drive through Wolf Creek Pass, a high mountain pass on the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains. At 10,857 ft (3,309 m,) Wolf Creek Pass is considered one of the most dangerous mountain passes in Colorado, especially in the winter.       

– If you come from Durango, take US 160-E to US-160 W in South Fork for approximately 104 miles (2 h.) You will drive through Pagosa Springs and follow the same direction through Wolf Creek Pass.

– From Alamosa, you will take US-160 W to South Fork for about 47 miles (52 min.)

– From Colorado Springs take I-25 S towards Walsenberg, then turn to US-160 W to South Fork. You will drive through Alamosa. It is about 210 miles (3 h 30 min.)

– If Denver is your starting point, you will drive for about 234 miles (4 h) via US Hwy 285 S to CO-112 W, then turn to US-160 W to South Fork. 

– If you come from Taos, New Mexico, you will drive onto US Hwy 285 N and US-160 W for about 134 miles (2 h 30 min.)

– From Santa Fe, New Mexico, you will drive 184 miles (3 h 15 min.) through US Hwy 285 N and US-160 W.

If you start from Blue Mesa Reservoir, you will likely come from Gunnison or Montrose directions.

– From Gunnison, drive onto US-50 W/E Tomichi Ave for about 9.4 miles and pass by Subway on the right. Then turn left onto CO-149 S, the beginning of your Silver Thread scenic drive.

– When you come from Montrose, take US-50 E towards Gunnison. Then, make a right turn onto CO-149 S.

No matter which way you come, you will enjoy the Silver Thread Scenic Byway like we did.