The road to American Basin in Colorado is not for the faint of heart

American Basin is a high alpine basin located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Be aware of high altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening.

American Basin

Is the road to American Basin in Colorado unpaved?

Set high in the Gunnison National Forest the road to the basin is totally unpaved with rocky parts. It’s called County Road 12. Driving a 4-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicle is best.

Is the road to American Basin worth it?

This road is not for the faint of heart, but the scenery is outstanding. The road meanders on the side of a deep ravine in some areas. Most of American Basin is above the timberline and thunderstorms often develop in the afternoon in the Colorado high country. The area is notorious for its summer wildflower display.

Is the road to American Basin in Colorado open in winter?

The road ends at 3.548m (11,640ft) above sea level, on a small parking lot. The whole area is closed during the colder months.

How long is the road to American Basin in the Gunnison National Forest?

The drive is pretty steep. Starting from Cinnamon Pass Road (County Road 30), the road is 1.44km (0.9 mile) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 90 meters. The average gradient is 6.25%.
Pic: Dave Rudloff

 

 

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.