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Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Silver Thread Scenic Byway.

Silver Thread Byway – Lake City-Creede

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Silver Thread Scenic Byway is an outstanding 117-mile cruise, passing two authentic mountain towns, Lake City and Creede, as well as stunning history and natural wonders. It goes south off the beaten path, from Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison to US 160 at South Fork.

Summer is the peak season on the highway, with Jeeping as one of the main attractions. There are many ghost towns and mines hidden in the hills, accessible only by 4×4. The Alpine Loop goes by some of these.

The Silver Thread Byway passes crosses several mountain passes on its route (north to south):

  • Slumgullion Pass – 9 miles south of Lake City.
  • Spring Creek Pass – 17 miles south of Lake City.

Activities near Silver Thread Byway

Silver Thread Scenic Byway Uncompahgre Peak
Uncompahgre Peak (14,309′), along the Silver Thread Byway, between Slumgullion Pass and Lake City. Photo: David Herrera

Boating – The Blue Mesa Reservoir in the Curecanti National Recreation Area is at the north end of the byway. It permits boating of all types.

  • The natural Lake San Cristobal is over 340 surface acres. Boat and bike rentals are available at The Sportsman Outdoor in Lake City.

Camping – Camping runs the entire length of the byway. Dispersed car camping is also easy to find the whole way on many of the forest access roads.

  • Slumgullion CG – south of Lake City, 21 sites, basic, first-come, first-serve
  • Silver Thread CG – near S. Clear Creek Falls, 10 sites, first-come, first-serve
  • Marshall Park CG – 6 miles from Creede, 15 sites, basic, reservations
  • Thirty Mile CG – near Rio Grande Res near Creede, 35 sites, basic, reservations
  • Palisades CG – south of Creede on Rio Grande River, 12 sites, first-come, first-serve
  • Read about theย camping near Creede.
  • Read about theย camping near Lake City.

Fishing – Big lakes dot the highway, starting with Blue Mesa to the north. There’s prime fishing at the natural Lake San Cristobal in Lake City. The Road Canyon Reservoir and Rio Grande Reservoir are also great before Creede.

Hiking – There’s no shortage of hikes on the Silver Thread Byway. At Spring Creek Pass (b / w Lake City & Creede), both the Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail are accessible.

OHV – Trails are located in the national forests you pass through.
Winter Rec – Lake City and Creede attract a small winter crowd, with endless trails for snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers.

National Forests: Gunnison NF, Rio Grande NF, and Uncompahgre NF

Highlights on Byway

The Slumgullion Earthflow is a National Natural Landmark just south of Lake City. Further south, before Creede, is North Clear Creek Falls and South Clear Creek Falls. Both are worth checking out.

Once in Creede, take a side trip on the Bachelor Historic Loop. It’s a 2WD auto tour through Creede’s former mining country.

Blue Mesa Reservoir Gunnison
Blue Mesa Reservoir at the start near Gunnison.
Silver Thread Byway Highway 149
Scenic Highway 149.
Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Silver Thread scenery.
Downtown Lake City CO
Historic downtown Lake CIty.
Lake City CO Shops
Some restaurants and a gift shop in Lake City.
Lake San Cristobal Dock
Lake San Cristobal.
Lake San Cristobal
Aerial view of the 2nd largest natural lake, San Cristobal.
Silver Thread Byway Lake City
Byway south of Lake City.
Slumgullion Earthflow Mesa
Mesa near the Slumgullion Earthflow.
San Juan Mountains Uncompahgre Peak
San Juan Mountains – 14,309-foot Uncompahgre Peak on right.
Silver Thread Byway Red Mountain
Red Mountain – 12, 826′.
Silver Thread Byway Dispersed Camping
Dispersed, byway-side campsite between Lake City and Creede.
Silver Thread Byway Browns Lake
Brown Lakes in the distance.
Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Dirt road near Bristol Head CG and N. Clear Creek Falls.
Spring Creek Reservoir
Spring Creek Reservoir.
Silver Thread Campground
Campsite at Rio Grande NF Silver Thread CG.
San Juan City
San Juan Ranch was once San Juan City, settled in 1858.
San Juan City
San Juan City thrived as a freight center for Stony Pass, until the Denver and Rio Grande RR reached Silverton via Durango in 1882.
Road Canyon Reservoir
Road Canyon Reservoir on Co Rd 520 to the Rio Grande Res.
Rio Grande River
Rio Grande River.
Rio Grande Reservoir
Rio Grande Reservoir near the headwaters of the river.
Rio Grande Reservoir
Further west past the lake is Stony Pass, a rugged 4×4 road, and former main route to Howardsville and Silverton.
Downtown Creede CO
Downtown Creede.
Creede CO Main Street
Other way on Main Street.
Silver Thread Byway Palisade Campground
Train tracks through Palisade Campground.
Palisade Campground Rio Grande River
Palisade CG is next to the Rio Grande River.
Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Silver Thread Scenic Byway.

Details

Nearby Towns: (north to south)

  • Gunnison
  • Lake city
  • Creede
  • South Fork

Season: Year round

Length: 117 miles

Discount: ~3 hours

Roads: 2WD, Free

Map: Silver Thread Byway (.png)

Campground Reservations:

  • Marshall Park CG
  • Thirty Mile CG

Website: codot.gov./ …

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