Independence Pass

Mountain pass · Pitkin County

Independence Pass

Mountain pass · Pitkin County

2

Colorado 81210

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Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by MATADOR_NETWORK
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null
Independence Pass by null

Highlights

Scenic mountain road at 12,095 ft. above sea level, closed in winter & featuring a vista point.  

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Colorado 81210 Get directions

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@travelleisure

"Prospectors struck gold in Independence, Colorado, sometime in the late 1800s, causing others to quickly follow suit. According to the Aspen Historical Society, the Farwell Mining Company acquired most of the town's prominent mines by 1881 and employed hundreds of people thereafter. The population peaked with about 1,500 residents, and local businesses flourished — that is, until workers moved out in search of other riches, leaving the town to deteriorate. Around 1975, the Aspen Historical Society took on the work of maintaining the ruins, which can be explored via a self-guided tour during the summer months." - Travel + Leisure Editors

11 Ghost Towns in the U.S. You Can Still Visit Today
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@matadornetwork

"The Aspen area’s most famous road ride is over Independence Pass, a grueling 40-mile climb-and-descent trip that can be as hard on your bike as it is on your body. Start early, pulling out of town on Highway 82 with the rising sun, and pack plenty of water and food. This ride is popular, so the earlier you hit the road, the more peaceful it will be." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Summer Activities in Aspen
View Postcard for Independence Pass

Gabe Cohen

Google
Love hiking here. Great access to the ridge lines on the Divide. only have gone south, but i plan to explore to the north soon

R C

Google
I always enjoy driving through here. Such beautiful scenery. Middle of June and there is still snow and a frozen lake on top! It was 29°

Jillian Turner (Colorado Realtor)

Google
We jumped at the opportunity to ride up Independence Pass before they opened it to cars for the Summer! Wow! So challenging but so worth it!! We started from Aspen at 60 degrees and who knows how cold at the top. Super chilly ride down🥶 Now I can cross this off my bucket list!!

Michelle Steinberg

Google
How can you rate nature? The road is well maintained. It looks like either the snow, avalanches or careless drivers have wreaked havoc on the guardrails though. The Historical locations are cool to see and there are good trails to visit them. There are restrooms at the top and plenty of parking. Drove through the end of September and there are a couple spots where the beauty of the Aspens and the fall colors took my breath away. If you can go with someone who can share the driving I would suggest that.

Oana Tamas

Google
This drive was stunning! We loved it and felt quite safe, way easier than Pikes Peak.

Jeff Cohan

Google
Cool experience and beautiful driving over the pass.

Austin Wills

Google
Beautiful road up, the scenery is incredible. I also did the ridge hike, make sure to bring plenty of water and good hiking shoes. It gets steep and turns into a scramble towards the top. There is no shade cover throughout the hike. The views at the top were some of the best I personally have ever seen.

Peng Chen (Marcus)

Google
It's not merely a picturesque drive; it resembles a national park with numerous exceptional hiking paths. We even encountered a small fox during our ascent.