Mountains

Boreas Pass Road is a seasonal dirt route over the Continental Divide

Cars and driving Summit County scenic drive continental divide seasonal road

Above Breckenridge, Boreas Pass Road climbs to the Continental Divide on a gentle, steady grade. It is a graded dirt road, fine for ordinary vehicles when it is open, and it offers a calmer way over the divide than the steep, winding passes nearby.

The thing to plan around is the season. This is not an all-year road. It opens to highway-legal vehicles in the warmer months and closes to motor traffic in winter, when deep snow takes over and cross-country skiers and snowshoers use the route instead. The exact open and close dates depend on snow and on Summit County’s decision each year.

Why this matters for a newcomer: a map may show Boreas Pass Road connecting Breckenridge toward Como in Park County, but for much of the year you cannot drive it. It is also a dirt road that can be rough or muddy in shoulder seasons, so it suits an unhurried drive, not a shortcut in a hurry.

Before driving Boreas Pass Road, check the White River National Forest and Summit County for the current seasonal road status.

Sources

Official or primary sources used for this note. Local details can change, so confirm before acting.

Reviewed: June 11, 2026 U.S. Forest Service summitcountyco.gov

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