Rollins Pass Road Status
The Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) and road conditions information is updated every week of the year and often daily. Updated: Friday, November 7, 2025 at 10:01pm MT.
This Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) page is updated every week of the year and often daily. The page is updated as, when, or if conditions change; please note that closures due to search and rescue/recovery efforts, wildfires on or near the pass, avalanches, extreme fire conditions, washouts, downed trees, rockfalls, snow slides, mudslides, late season and early season snowstorms, weather, immobilized vehicles blocking the road, or other reasons are always possible—we’ve seen it all! Permanent closures and Stage 3 fire closure information is collected from official sources; all other fluid data on this page is aggregated from direct observations by the Preserve Rollins Pass team and/or crowd-sourced information available and provided to Preserve Rollins Pass. You can help. To share an update about current ground conditions, submit a photograph or video, or suggest an edit, please email us at authors@preserverollinspass.org. While your name will be visible to us, any information or media shared publicly will be anonymized unless we have your express permission.
Currently:
Transitional Season: Now through late November or early December
(see commentary in the salmon pink box, below)
Plan Your Visit • View our detailed map with 750+ custom-located features
Currently: Transitional Season (Late Autumn & Early Winter)—typically mid/late October through late November or early December each year
Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) | Transitional Season Commentary for Late Autumn & Early Winter:
Mother Nature is redecorating for winter.
After the first few snowstorms in late September, October, or early November, snow begins to stick in places—thin in some stretches, deeper in others—creating inconsistent conditions that make travel on Rollins Pass increasingly difficult. The accumulation becomes unpredictable for driving and not yet reliable for snowmobiling, except for very experienced riders familiar with navigating early-season terrain. No matter how dry and promising the initial grades of the west or east sides seem, a snow drift often waits around the next bend—particularly at higher elevations and in shaded terrain where early snow lingers and deepens with each new storm.
Sometimes the last bursts of warmth melt sections of early snow, but freezing temperatures return overnight—leaving glare ice across stretches of dirt and rock rather than firm traction. These conditions demand advanced driving skill and proper equipment, as several portions of the road hold sizable icy patches near steep, exposed drop-offs exceeding 200 feet. Hard freezes also turn car-sized puddles into solid ice. While the road is often impassable later in the season, short periods of accessibility can occur, but they rarely last, and conditions can shift from moderate to impassable within hours.
As temperatures drop, snow begins to accumulate into lasting obstructions that will likely persist until next summer. Rollins Pass becomes a landscape in transition. Avalanche danger is always a possibility; backcountry forecasts for Rollins Pass should be consulted.
When this transitional season is shown as “active,” travel on Rollins Pass is more difficult than it appears. What feels simple in July or August can, by late September or mid-October, become unpredictable and icy as shorter days, colder nights, and freeze–thaw cycles take hold—reducing traction and requiring slower speeds, greater awareness, and more capable equipment. As temperatures fall, even light snowstorms begin to accumulate instead of melting away, adding to the challenges of reaching higher elevations. Regardless of age, experience, or vehicle, travel during this period is often difficult—and at times, impossible.
On either side, vehicles often become blocked or stuck after autumn officially ends on Rollins Pass. On the west side, gates may be closed at the entrance, midway, or at the trestle; gates are always scheduled to close—regardless of road conditions—on November 15. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) typically begins publishing avalanche forecasts on November 1. This page will be updated as the next major season approaches or as conditions improve for winter activities. Typically, this transitional season lasts approximately six to eight weeks before winter fully sets in.
That’s it!
You’re up to date on current status for this season.
What do upcoming seasons on Rollins Pass look like?
↓ Read on ↓
Up Next: Winter/Spring Season—typically late November or early December through early/mid-April each year
Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) | Winter/Spring Commentary:
• WILDERNESS SNOWMOBILE BANS: Snowmobiles are prohibited in the James Peak Wilderness and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The area overlooking King Lake is congressionally-designated wilderness where snowmobiles are not permitted.
• DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE AREA: If you’re seeking to learn more about the area, order our first or second book on Rollins Pass—signed copies available with speedy shipping.
• HELP IMPROVE THIS PAGE: Noticed different conditions than what’s described? Let us know by email.
A consistent blanket of 6 inches (or more) of snow is needed for snowmobiles or any other over-the-snow motorized vehicles. This US Forest Service depth requirement not only helps keep your machine from getting damaged but also helps preserve the underlying road as well. The west side of Rollins Pass (near Winter Park) is designated as a snowmobile trail only, meaning no cars or trucks—only snowmobiles or over the snow vehicles are allowed. (An over-snow vehicle is a motor vehicle that is designated for use over snow and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis while in use over snow.) Some trails do require 12 inches of snow (or more); be sure to observe posted signs carefully and rely on the snowmobile use map.
⚠️ There are many blind curves—expect a snowmobile, person (skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, snowmobiler), or animal around each one and please keep within the speed limit—multiple snowmobile wrecks with “significant traumatic injuries” typically occur each season. Always ride on the right side of the trail—especially around corners, do not drink and drive/ride, don’t ride in wilderness, and respect speed limits. ⚠️
From typically late November to mid/late-April, expect winter/spring conditions with snow, snowdrifts, ice, and slush—suitable for snowmobiling, particularly on the wetter west side of the pass. The west side of the pass is generally groomed for snowmobiling from late November through late March, covering the route from the 4-way intersection near the Arrow townsite to the top of Ptarmigan Point, known as the Corona Bowl during winter. (Overall, expect winter/spring conditions and potential for avalanches through early summer.)
Please stay safe and be backcountry smart; avalanches and avalanche deaths occur on Rollins Pass. Don’t rely on luck. Be prepared and carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe—as well as an avalanche airbag—and know how to use each in an emergency. Snowmobiling tips on what to pack can be found here.
❄️ View CAIC Avalanche Backcountry Forecasts for the region encompassing Rollins Pass; official backcountry avalanche forecasts are issued each afternoon by 4:30pm daily from November through May. Per CAIC, “Each forecast will have avalanche danger ratings for three elevation bands and two days, as well as up to three avalanche problems…. The afternoon forecast will have this information for the following two days. So the forecast issued on Friday afternoon will have danger ratings and problems for Saturday and Sunday. Don’t worry, we’ll still be in the office each day at 4:00 AM. If it snows a lot more, or a lot less, than we expect, we’ll update the backcountry products. Whether you plan your backcountry outing over pint glasses or coffee mugs, there will always be a valid forecast.”
For more avalanche resources from CAIC, including how to find avalanche training courses, how to use the avalanche forecast, and other avalanche education resources, please tap here. Always monitor snow conditions and exercise extra caution on steep slopes, above timberline, and while navigating through drainages.
More Winter Resources: CAIC Avalanche Field Reports | CAIC Colorado Avalanche Accidents | CAIC Avalanche Explorer Map
Did you know this page also provides updates for the summer/autumn season on Rollins Pass?
Tap here to view the Snowmobile Use Map for the west side of Rollins Pass (Corona Pass West). Per Stay the Trail Colorado, these are the legal trails you can recreate on—anything off that is out-of-bounds. Please abide by these limitations for the benefit of our continued access.
Rollins Pass Avalanche Forecast Information
Recognizing Avalanche Hazard from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Obvious Signs of Instability: 1) Recent Avalanches: Avalanches are a sure sign of a dangerous snowpack. Fresh avalanches mean more are possible on similar terrain features. 2) Collapsing and Cracking: When you feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, it is a clear sign that you can trigger an avalanche. Avoid similar terrain features. These collapses often make a whumpfing sound and produce shooting cracks.
Factors that Increase Avalanche Danger (Red Flags): 1) New Snow: Most avalanches happen during and immediately following snow storms. 2) Recent Wind-Drifted Snow: Drifting snow can create dangerous conditions on wind-loaded slopes. 3) Rapid Thawing/Rain: Rollerballs, pinwheels, or a slushy snow surface are clear signs the snow is rapidly losing strength. The danger of a wet avalanche is increasing if you see any of these signs.
Ways to Reduce Your Risk From Avalanches: 1) Discuss the avalanche forecast and avalanche conditions with your group. Determine what terrain you will avoid on your trip. 2) Avoid travelling on or underneath slopes steeper than about 30 degrees if you see recent avalanches, cracking or collapsing, or any of the red flags. 3) Avoid travelling on steep open slopes with dense trees, rocks, gullies, or water bodies below them. 4) If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, expose only one person at a time to the avalanche hazard. 5) Do not stop or regroup in avalanche paths or runout zones.
Then Later Next Year: Transitional Season (Late Spring & Early Summer)—typically early/mid-April through early/mid-June each year
Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) | Transitional Season Commentary for Late Spring & Early Summer:
Mother Nature is redecorating for summer.
From early/mid-April through early/mid-June, Rollins Pass is a landscape in transition: there is generally not enough good snow for snowmobiling while at the same time, not enough of the road has melted out for wheel-to-ground vehicles (including motor bikes) to get very far. Avalanche danger still exists and backcountry forecasts for Rollins Pass should be consulted. No matter how dry and promising the initial grades of the west or east sides look, there is always an impassable snow drift around the next bend, particularly at higher elevations and especially in areas that don’t receive much direct sunlight. Road washouts, particularly on the west side, occur infrequently. For well over the past decade, Rollins Pass (Corona Pass) has never been open nor passable by the Memorial Day holiday weekend. (Even Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, with considerably more infrastructure and plowing teams, isn’t always open by Memorial Day weekend; in fact, it only opens on that date about 50% of the time.) To track the melt, click here.
Why does it take so long to melt? On average, the last day of frost in Denver (at 5,280 feet) is May 5th each year. Atop Rollins Pass, where the elevation surpasses Denver’s by more than 2.2 times, the snow’s reluctance to melt serves as a stark reminder of altitude’s effect on the pace of seasonal change. Furthermore, late-season snowstorms are a near-annual reality in Colorado’s high elevations. On Rollins Pass—rising well above 11,000 feet—snow events frequently continue into very late May and even early June. This recurring pattern isn’t an anomaly; it’s a defining feature of the alpine environment, where even basic access must account for winter’s extended hold.
When this transitional season is shown as ‘active,’ know that if you venture out, reaching the upper elevations on Rollins Pass will likely be challenging, if not impossible. On the west side, gates will be closed either at the entrance, midway, or at the trestle—gates are scheduled to open June 15th, and this is sometimes delayed a week or more due to late runoff or washouts that need repair. On the east side, vehicles get blocked/stuck before summer officially begins on Rollins Pass. This page will be updated often, starting in early June, as the next major season approaches and/or conditions improve for summer activities to take place. Typically, this transitional season lasts approximately two months before summer starts.
Webcams and Air Quality information are available on our Rollins Pass Weather page.
Later Next Year: Summer/Autumn Season—typically mid/late June through early/mid/late October each year
🔥 FIRE BANS/RESTRICTIONS AND RED FLAG INFORMATION 🔥
Just one unattended campfire can completely destroy the spectacular setting of Rollins Pass. Please recreate with care. Read more here.
When fire bans or restrictions are in effect, no campfires are allowed—regardless of how well-established a site may appear. There are no developed campgrounds on either side of Rollins Pass itself. All camping is dispersed, meaning there are no metal fire rings, picnic tables, numbered posts, toilets, or garbage service. Visitors must properly store and pack out all food and trash to avoid harmful interactions with bears and other wildlife. Rocks do not make a permanent fire ring. Developed campgrounds—none of which exist on Rollins Pass—offer designated campsites, amenities, and typically include fee collection and campground hosts.
Review details of any fire bans and fire restrictions:
US Forest Service | Grand County | Gilpin County | Boulder County
Not sure where the county lines are? View our detailed map to see exact boundaries.
Read more on: Fire Restrictions 101 and Red Flag Warnings | Campfire Safety Tips
Wilderness Campfire Bans/Restrictions: Campfires are always prohibited in the James Peak Wilderness per this US Forest Service page. Campfires are also prohibited in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on/near Rollins Pass by King Lake, Betty Lake, Bob Lake, Buttermilk Falls, Skyscraper Reservoir, Woodland Lake, and along the South Fork of the Middle Boulder Creek—these areas are in the Woodland BZ and Middle Boulder BZ where campfires are prohibited per this US Forest Service map; the only exception is on the ridge west of the Continental Divide (several hundred feet above Corona Lake), known as the Columbine Backcountry Zone (BZ).
Per a USFS Regional Order, “possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or pyrotechnic device” is prohibited in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. Exploding targets, tracer bullets, and fireworks are never allowed on National Forest System lands.
Railroad workers more than a century ago consistently mentioned high winds on Rollins Pass, which still experiences hurricane-force winds today. Times haven’t changed; please follow fire restrictions and, if allowed, keep any campfires small so the wind doesn’t spread fire and threaten the beauty and history of Rollins Pass. Drown your campfire with water, stir the embers with wet soil—ensuring all is soaked—then drown everything again. Everything (including the rock fire ring) should be cool to the touch—if it’s too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. Learn more here.
Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) | Summer/Autumn Commentary:
All of Rollins Pass:
• WILDERNESS FIRE BANS: Campfires are always prohibited in the James Peak Wilderness and in most of the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Rollins Pass. Review the information in the red box, above, for specific details.
• ARTIFACTS: Remember to Leave No Trace and preserve history: leave all artifacts behind and don’t pocket the past. If you find something significant, use our form to contact an archaeologist. If you’re seeking to learn more about the area, order our first or second book on Rollins Pass—signed copies available with speedy shipping.
• PLAN YOUR VISIT: Use this page to gather essential trip details and view our custom map.
• HELP IMPROVE THIS PAGE: Noticed different road conditions than what’s described? Let us know by email.
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Rollins Pass West: This information is in a dormant status; expect updates closer to mid-June 2026.
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Rollins Pass Summit Area (we define this as the ‘crown’ of the pass: the parking area at the summit, the Upper Boulder Wagon Road [501.1], and the small parking area overlooking Yankee Doodle Lake—by motorized vehicle, these areas are only reachable from Rollins Pass West): This information is in a dormant status; expect updates closer to mid-June 2026.
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Rollins Pass East: This information is in a dormant status; expect updates closer to mid-June 2026.
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Detailed route information is provided for each side of Rollins Pass, further below on this page. Read more on: Driving Etiquette and Outdoor Essentials and Plan Your Visit.
Did you know this page also provides updates for the winter/spring season on Rollins Pass?
Status of Autumn Colors (aspens, willows, as well as alpine and tundra grasses) on/near Rollins Pass
Offseason—Spring/Summer | No/Low Fall Colors | Moderate Fall Colors | High/Prime/Peak Fall Colors | Past Peak/Diminishing Fall Colors | Scattered Fall Holdouts | Dormant (active)
🍂
The first hints of autumn in the high alpine region typically occur between the last week in July and the first week in August when tundra grasses begin to change colors. Aspen trees on the lower portions of the pass tend to reach peak colors mid-to-late September.
Where can you find the most striking aspen colors on Rollins Pass? On the west side, the brightest aspen displays stretch from the front entrance at 9,000 feet up to the midway gate at 10,000 feet. On the east side, the finest views unfold along the three switchbacking legs of Giant’s Ladder, overlooking the timeless Tolland Valley.
Rollins Pass Route Information for Summer/Autumn
Reminder: It is not possible to drive from one side of Rollins Pass to the other—despite what outdated maps or navigation apps may suggest. Any appearance of a through-route is inaccurate. The area is actively monitored, including with high-resolution cameras capable of capturing license plates and registration stickers—even from surprising distances and angles. Additional monitoring methods may also be in place. Unauthorized crossings, travel on closed routes, and wilderness incursions are routinely detected, documented, and reported.
Respecting trail closures on Rollins Pass is essential to keeping access open for all users. Going around barriers not only carries legal consequences—like fines or impoundment—but also makes it harder for those working to maintain access through partnerships, meetings, and advocacy. When riders follow the rules, it strengthens the case for responsible recreation and helps prevent unnecessary restrictions. Land managers take note of patterns, and when trails are respected, it supports efforts to keep Rollins Pass accessible for future generations. With so many great legal routes in the area, there’s no need to risk access for everyone by ignoring closures. Protecting this historic corridor means honoring present-day access limitations. Your cooperation helps ensure that Rollins Pass remains a place of discovery and respect for generations to come.
Rollins Pass Road Status:
West (near Winter Park & Fraser)
Rollins Pass West Road Status:
- NFSR 149: in summer and early autumn (typically mid-June through late September), open from US Highway 40 to the closure at the parking area of the summit (Corona Townsite)—bidirectional traffic on a single-lane dead-end road
- NFSR 501.1: open in summer and early autumn (typically mid-June through late September) to the closure overlooking Yankee Doodle Lake—bidirectional traffic on a single-lane dead-end trail; permanent closure at NFSR 501, see below
- N76 Riflesight: in summer and early autumn to the closure on the backside of the collapsed tunnel below Riflesight Notch Trestle (typically late June through late September), this adopted bidirectional trail is open for hiking/bicycles—motorized traffic is prohibited per MVUMs
Permanent Closures: Year-round closures to travel by wheel-to-ground vehicles per 36 CFR 261.54a (Forest Closure Order 10-00-03) include:
• NFSR 149: Permanent closure 1 mile south of Needle’s Eye Tunnel to the Continental Divide
• NFSR 501: Boulder Wagon [Road] from its intersection with the Rollins Pass Road at Yankee Doodle Lake west to a point 1/2 mile west of the Needle’s Eye Tunnel
No motorized route connects across the Continental Divide. Tap here to view the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) covering Rollins Pass West. Per Stay the Trail Colorado, MVUMs are the legal trails you can recreate on—anything off that is out-of-bounds. Please abide by these limitations for the benefit of our continued access.
Typical Summer/Autumn Road Conditions: lower areas are mostly dry, dusty; some mud puddles and rivulets due to areas of rain/snowmelt; snowdrifts and slush at higher elevations
Rollins Pass Road Status:
East (near Rollinsville & Tolland)
Rollins Pass East Road Status:
- NFSR 149: in summer and early autumn (typically late June through late September), open from Tolland Road near the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel to the blockade before Needle’s Eye Tunnel (overlooking Jenny Lake) at approximately 11,238 feet above sea level—bidirectional traffic on a single-lane dead-end road; permanent closure, see below
- NFSR 501: in summer and early autumn (typically late June through late September), open for bidirectional hiking/bicycles—motorized traffic is prohibited per MVUMs due to a permanent closure, see below
- NFSR 502: open in summer and early autumn (typically late June through late September)—bidirectional traffic on a single-lane dead-end road
- NFSR 808 (Jenny Creek Trail and spurs): open in summer and early autumn (typically late June through late September)—bidirectional traffic on a narrow trail; special note, permit required: a $25.25 off-highway vehicle permit must be displayed on any full size vehicle traveling #808.1 for recreational use, even if that vehicle has a currently registered license plate from Colorado or any other state/province.
Permanent Closures: Year-round closures to travel by wheel-to-ground vehicles per 36 CFR 261.54a (Forest Closure Order 10-00-03) include:
• NFSR 149: Permanent closure 1 mile south of Needle’s Eye Tunnel to the Continental Divide
• NFSR 501: Boulder Wagon [Road] from its intersection with the Rollins Pass Road at Yankee Doodle Lake west to a point 1/2 mile west of the Needle’s Eye Tunnel
No motorized route connects across the Continental Divide. Tap here to view the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) covering Rollins Pass East. Per Stay the Trail Colorado, MVUMs are the legal trails you can recreate on—anything off that is out-of-bounds. Please abide by these limitations for the benefit of our continued access.
Typical Summer/Autumn Road Conditions: lower areas are mostly dry, dusty; some mud puddles and rivulets due to areas of rain/snowmelt; snowdrifts and slush at higher elevations
Per Stay the Trail Colorado, Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) are the legal trails you can recreate on—anything off that is out-of-bounds. Please abide by these limitations for the benefit of our continued access.
Looking for satellite, wilderness, and motor vehicle maps of Rollins Pass? Check out our Rollins Pass Maps page.
Have more questions? Need more answers? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
DISCLAIMER, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, AND AS-IS INFORMATION
The Rollins Pass Road Status (Corona Pass Road Status) page is provided as a courtesy to visitors of Rollins Pass and is intended for informational purposes only. The information on this page is offered “as is,” without any warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of safety or fitness for a particular purpose. In the event of any discrepancy between the information on this site and the rules or regulations on the US Forest Service site, the US Forest Service site shall prevail. Users and visitors of this page acknowledge and agree that Preserve Rollins Pass is not responsible or liable for any conduct or misconduct by any visitor. Although efforts are made to keep the information current, conditions and events can change rapidly, making the content on this page potentially outdated. Always consult official US Forest Service sources before visiting Rollins Pass and before losing cellular or wireless coverage.
The primary purpose of our work is to inform the public.
