Berthoud Pass in Colorado
The Ultimate Guide (By Coloradans)
Berthoud Pass in Colorado - The Nitty Gritty Guide To Everything You Should Know
The Full Guide to Berthoud Pass, With Expert Guidance From Coloradans
Berthoud Pass (part of US 40), the gorgeous scenic route connecting Empire to Winter Park, Colorado, is one of our personal favorite drives in the state. As Coloradans, there’s really nothing more satisfying than taking a scenic drive through the Rockies, and this road not only satisfies that craving, but also delivers on epic adventures, like gorgeous hikes with swoon-worthy alpine views.
In the winter, Berthoud Pass is a go-to for Colorado locals either looking to do some backcountry skiing or as a route to get into the ski town of Winter Park. In the summer, it’s home to camping, gorgeously green mountain views, and high elevation hikes sure to get the blood pumping and with views that make the heart race.
And the best part? It’s a short drive from i70 to the start of the pass, making it super accessible and easy to explore. Plus, it’s also located within a decent driving distance of so many other epic scenic drives (more on this later!) and mountain villages.
Needless to say, there’s a lot to do on Berthoud Pass, and in this guide we’ll break it all down, from the expert perspective of people who actually live in Colorado and have “been there, done that.”
And as we always do in our mountain pass guides, we’ll include plenty of photos from our adventures on this route.
Disclosure: We’ve included lodging and gear recommendations in this guide to Berthoud Pass in Colorado. If you choose to book or buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Shopping through these links helps support our small Colorado business and allows us to continue creating this free content.
All recommendations in our Berthoud Pass guide are crafted with love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures, both in the Colorado Rockies and beyond.
Where in Colorado is Berthoud Pass?
Directions From Both Empire + Winter Park
Berthoud Pass is nestled between the towns of Empire, Colorado (to the south) and Winter Park, Colorado (to the north), with super close proximity to i70.
If you’re traveling to Berthoud Pass from the Empire, Colorado i70 exit, you’ll take exit 232, and this’ll plop you onto US 40 (which is essentially Berthoud Pass). From the westernmost edge of Empire, it’s about a 13 mile drive to the summit parking lot, which’ll be on your right (where you’ll find the continental divide sign).
From Winter Park, Colorado, the directions are also pretty straightforward. You’ll simply take US 40 south and continue for about 10 miles from the edge of town before you get to the summit parking lot (which will be on your left).
- GPS Coordinates (Continental Divide parking lot):Â 39.798304, -105.776656
- Nearest Towns To Berthoud Pass: Empire and Winter Park, Colorado
- Berthoud Pass Length: 23 miles (this is from the west edge of Empire to the south edge of Winter Park, Colorado)
- Berthoud Pass Elevation: 11,307 ft
- Cell Service: Cell service on Berthoud Pass in Colorado is non-existent in many areas, and spotty at best in others. We’d recommend bringing along a satellite communication device like this brand we use, particularly if you plan on hiking, camping, or venturing into the backcountry.
Is Berthoud Pass Always Open?
When And Why Does It Have Closures?
While Berthoud Pass is open year-round, it does experience closures throughout the colder months due to inclement weather (as is common in much of Colorado).
If you’re driving the pass during the snowy months (which extends well beyond winter, by the way), an AWD or 4WD vehicle with all-weather or snow tires with a mud/snow designation is a smart move. If you have a 2WD vehicle, either you’ll want the aforementioned tires or we’d advise equipping your car with tire chains.
Note: The state of Colorado can implement its chain law any time during adverse weather conditions, so ensuring your vehicle is prepped with the necessary tires and/or chain gear is crucial when driving Berthoud Pass.
Also bear in mind that this is avalanche country, and avalanches have made their way onto this route before (yes, even when it was open).
It’s worth noting, the Colorado Department of Transportation has set up several webcams along Berthoud Pass, so we’d highly recommend checking the camera footage and road status before venturing out in the colder months to make sure the road conditions look okay.
Essential Things To Know About Berthoud Pass
Including Expert Tips For Getting The Most Out Of The Drive
If you want to see Berthoud Pass at its prettiest and not miss the best stops along the route, we’ve got you covered. Down below, we’ll break down the essential info you need to know.
We’ll discuss the best seasons to drive the pass, go over our favorite hikes in the area, share recommendations for lodging nearby, and review some common questions about this route (like details on the road conditions). Let’s get into it!
Our Guide To Seeing The Dreamiest Colorado Views
If you’re traveling to Colorado and have 2-3 weeks to spare, there’s no better way to see the best our state has to offer than through an epic road trip.
Our ultimate CO road trip guide is a full itinerary, broken down to cover some of our absolute favorite locations throughout the state, with plenty of advice on things to do.
The Best Season to Drive Berthoud Pass in Colorado
While Berthoud Pass is extremely popular in the winter time, as it’s a key route used by people traveling from Denver to access skiing in Winter Park, Colorado, we personally love this drive best in the summer. Why?
Not only is Berthoud Pass home to some gorgeous Colorado alpine wildflowers that only show up in the summertime (with the best time typically being from mid-July through the first half of August), but this is also when the hiking trails along the pass are the most accessible.
There’s something truly magical about the vast alpine vistas and mountain views of the Rockies in the summer months. It’s all very Sound of Music.
You also have the lowest likelihood of road closures due to inclement weather in the summer. The same can’t be said for fall or spring.
Plus, it’s worth noting that at the summit of Berthoud Pass, up at the continental divide, you’re above 11K ft in elevation. It never really gets truly hot up here, so the summer months tend to be the most comfortable, especially if you’re coming around sunrise or sunset when temps can drop quite a bit in the high alpine.
We will admit, Berthoud Pass is a stunning wonderland in the winter, and there are plenty of winter sport opportunities along this Colorado route. So if that’s your thing, this is a great spot.Â
As for fall colors, if you’re in the area, we’d actually recommend nearby Guanella Pass as a better option. This is our go-to for leaf-peeping.
And lastly, just steer clear of spring. This is what we call mud season. The hiking trails on Berthoud Pass are beginning to melt out and navigating muddy and slushy hikes is no fun. And the areas that have completely melted are still dried, dead, and brown from the winter. It’s pretty much a lose-lose.
Unsure Which Seasons Are Best For Seeing Colorado's High Alpine?
If you get your timing wrong, it’s easy to miss out on the best views throughout Colorado. From info on seasonal alpine road closures to details on when hiking trails are open and at their prettiest, our guide to Colorado’s seasons goes over all the info you need to know to see our state at its best.
Our Favorite Unique + Photo-Worthy Stops Along Berthoud Pass in Colorado
There are a ton of gorgeous roadside pull-offs along Berthoud Pass, and we highly recommend stopping at as many of them as you can to see those iconic Colorado mountain views.
But beyond those, there are two main spots along the pass that we’d call our favorites. Note: we also have a few top hikes we love, with gorgeous views. But we have the details on those in a later section.
Photo Pro Tip: If you want to see these spots at their prettiest, we highly recommend coming during golden hour. This is either the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. The golden light on the tips of the mountains is an absolute dream and makes for the prettiest photos to commemorate your visit.
An added bonus? You’ll also avoid some of the traffic and Colorado tourist crowds on Berthoud Pass when you plan your travels during these times.
Berthoud Pass Summit - Continental Divide
We provided GPS coordinates for the continental divide summit parking lot of Berthoud Pass earlier, but this is hands-down our #1 spot to visit along this road.
On the side looking toward Winter Park (the same side where the warming hut building is), you’ll find incredible angles of the road winding down below, with views of the mountains stretching out for miles and miles. This truly is “the” photo spot on Berthoud Pass, if you ask us.
Berthoud Falls Cascades
We love a good waterfall sighting, and these cascades are a lovely stop when coming up Berthoud Pass from the Empire, Colorado side. There’s a pull-off of sorts on a switchback at these GPS coordinates: 39.784132, -105.783714. Just park there, and it’s a short walk to the cascades.
The Best Hikes Along Berthoud Pass
Berthoud Pass is home to some seriously gorgeous hikes, so we highly recommend budgeting some time to hit the trails while you’re exploring this area of Colorado. If we could narrow it down to three top choices, it’d be these:
- Berthoud Pass Trail to Stanley Mountain – Two words: the views! If this hike doesn’t give those classic Colorado vibes, we don’t know what does. Highly recommend planning to get to the summit for sunrise so you can see the alpenglow.
- Second Creek Hiking Trail To The Broome Hut – Fun fact: there’s a hut you can rent that’s a mile of hiking off Berthoud Pass (expect a little over 2 miles round trip). The Broome Hut can be accessed via the Second Creek hiking trail, and is quite possibly the coolest way to experience sunrise on Berthoud Pass.
- Mount Flora Hiking Trail – This is considered one of the easier Colorado 13’ers, with stunning mountain vista views from the top that make you feel like you’re truly above it all. Plus, you can get some cool views of Berthoud Pass winding down below.
Hiking Pro Tip: Afternoon thunder and lightning storms are extremely common in the Colorado high country in the summer months, and this remains true for these Berthoud Pass hiking trails we’ve recommended above (especially since they all access areas above tree line).
These storms can quite literally be life-threatening, and the safest option is to hike before or at sunrise, when the weather tends to be more predictable.
Hiking Gear We Recommend Bringing When Adventuring On Berthoud Pass in Colorado
Hiking in the high country requires coming prepared. These are a few of our pack essentials we bring with us on hikes like the ones we’ve mentioned above. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it’s our core list of must-brings:
- Sunscreen – The higher the elevation, the thinner the atmosphere, which means it really is that much easier to burn. Add to it that our recommended Berthoud Pass hiking trails all go above tree line, and you’re very exposed. All of this to say: pack sunscreen. This is the one we love to use and it always has a home in our hiking packs. We also use this one for our faces, since it doesn’t cake on or clog pores.
- Satellite Communication Device – Our Garmin is our #1 piece of gear when exploring the alpine, especially since cell service is spotty or non-existent in these places. This allows us to send an SOS in case of emergencies and also lets us keep in touch with loved ones.
- Headlamp – We’re suckers for sunrise hikes. Not only is it the safest time of day to hike in the summer, but you get the prettiest views. But it does mean starting in the dark, which makes a really great headlamp (this is the one we love using, after testing several) crucial.
- Water – Obvious? Maybe. Commonly overlooked? Yup. Water needs go up at higher elevation. Bring along that insulated water bottle or hydration bladder to help avoid elevation headaches and dehydration. Definitely consult with your doctor first, but electrolyte packets can also be game-changing if you’re sweating a lot on a particularly strenuous hike.
It’s also worth noting, our recommended Berthoud Pass hiking trails are all pretty exposed, and the wind can get quite intense. We love our lightweight puffer jackets, as they provide some relief from the wind while also allowing us to layer up effectively for the massive temperature swings that can happen as you hike throughout the day.
Unique Colorado Lodging Options Near Berthoud Pass
Our Favorites Near Winter Park, CO
If you’re planning on exploring Berthoud Pass, we’d recommend booking lodging in Winter Park, Colorado. It’s such a cute little mountain town, with plenty of things to do, whereas Empire, CO on the south end of the pass won’t have nearly as many options.
Also, if you’re visiting in the winter, Winter Park is basically a hub for winter sports. These are our favorite lodging options in the area:
- Gravity Haus Winter Park – We love Gravity Haus and their Unravel Coffee cafes, so of course we had to include this one. The hotel is gorgeous (like all Gravity Haus locations), and it’s located directly on US-40, which will eventually turn into Berthoud Pass if you drive southbound out of town.
- This Modern Luxury Home Near Downtown Winter Park – Traveling with a large group or family and looking to have a base camp with all the essentials, like a stunning full kitchen, rooftop hot tub and fire pit, and the complete luxury experience? This Winter Park home is an absolute dream. Obsessed.
- This Modern Winter Park Mountain Home With Gorgeous Views – Not only is the interior design absolutely stunning, but the views from the patios on this property are stunning. But hey, don’t take it from us. This one was awarded Vrbo’s Vacation Rental of the Year award. A dream spot to lay your head after exploring Berthoud Pass.
Want The Local Perspective On The Best Mountain Towns in CO?
Colorado is huge, and there are tons of epic destinations to pick from. As locals, we’ve explored all over the state, and these are our picks for the best mountain towns in CO.
Berthoud Pass Colorado FAQs
How Long Should You Expect This Drive to Take?
It takes about 30 minutes to drive the full 23 mile length of Berthoud Pass from Empire to Winter Park, Colorado. However, this is assuming you’re not making stops at any of the scenic pull-offs, getting stuck in traffic (which can happen here, since this is a popular route to skiing in Winter Park), or dealing with winter driving conditions which inherently slow things down.
What Are The Road Conditions Like On Berthoud Pass? (Potholes + More!)
The harsh Colorado alpine winters really did a number on the road conditions on Berthoud Pass, resulting in some gnarly potholes. Thankfully, CDOT initiated and completed a construction project to repair a 10 mile section of the pass, which should help significantly improve the driving experience.Â
Is Berthoud Pass Dangerous?
Colorado mountain passes like Berthoud Pass are inherently dangerous. Steep grades, sharp switchbacks, and lots of drivers who don’t regularly drive mountain roads all combine to add to the danger.
But on top of that, one of the biggest dangers is the avalanche risk, and when you’re driving Berthoud Pass, you are in fact in avalanche country (in fact, one recently happened in early 2024).Â
Is Berthoud Pass Hard to Drive?
Berthoud Pass is fully paved, making it an easier drive than a lot of off-roading routes (e.g., Ophir Pass) throughout Colorado, where you have to navigate past obstacles and bumpy road conditions.
That said, if you’re not used to mountain driving, with its many twisting and turning switchbacks and steep grades, we’d rank this drive as more on the moderate side. And if you’re not accustomed to driving in Colorado winter conditions, navigating Berthoud Pass in the winter can be a challenge.
Dream Of Calling Colorado Home?
We love living in CO, but it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. If you’re thinking about moving here, our guide breaks down all the pros and cons of calling Colorado home.
Curious About What Other Scenic Mountain Drives Are Nearby? We've Got You Covered.
We’re suckers for the scenic route, which means we spend a lot of time exploring Colorado’s many stunning mountain passes and high alpine drives.
These are some of our favorites not too far from Berthoud Pass:
- Trail Ridge Road – This drive is the crown jewel of Rocky Mountain NP, if you ask us. A gorgeous trek that cuts through the entirety of the park, with iconic views of the famous 14’er Longs Peak.
- Loveland Pass – A favorite year-round for locals and travelers alike, and home to some dreamy hikes (including one of our fave 13’er hikes: Mt Sniktau).
- Guanella Pass – If you’re not doing a fall colors leaf-peeping drive up Guanella Pass, you’re missing out. It’s an absolute dream. Come in the summer for some seriously top-notch high alpine hikes.
And if you still need some more Berthoud Pass inspo in your life, keep on scrolling for some of our other favorite photos from our adventures on this gorgeous Colorado mountain road.
We're Your Guides To Colorado's Most Beautiful Spots
We’re Sheena and Ed: Colorado-based hikers, adventurers, and professional photographers.
When we’re not out exploring Colorado mountain spots like Berthoud Pass, we’re writing about the outdoors. There’s nothing we love more than sharing the best of the state (including the gems you won’t find on the big travel sites).
Planning your travels to the Rockies? These are some of our favorite resources to get you started:
- Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado’s most loved places, but the park is huge and it can be overwhelming to choose what to do. Our guide to the best things to do in Rocky Mountain goes over our top picks for anyone who’s never been.
- Haven’t narrowed down where in the state you want to travel to? We’ve traveled and worked all throughout CO, and these are our favorite Colorado mountain towns.