Yankee Boy Basin Trailhead

San Juan Mountains

Road Difficulty

3 Easy 4WD/AWD, good clearance

Driving Directions

Take US 550 to Ouray. 1/4 mile south of town, turn west onto Country Road (CR) 361 (2WD, Dirt) toward Yankee Boy Basin and start measuring mileage from this point. Your mileage may vary slightly, but the following list describes the turns and milestones:

4.6 miles: Stay right on CR 26.
5.2 miles: The road is cut into the cliffs like a "C" so there is rock hanging over the road.
5.9 miles: Stay right on CR 26 at the junction for Imogene Pass.
6.7 miles: Stay right at the junction for Governor Basin. The remaining drive is 4WD and 2WD cars should park at or near this junction.
7.5 miles: Reach the lower "trailhead" where there's an outhouse.

Driving beyond this point requires high-clearance 4WD

100 yards after the restroom parking area, pass a large rock and stay right at a junction.
8.0 miles: Stay right.
8.2 miles: There's a sign that recommends only 4WD, high-clearance, short-wheelbase. 4WD vehicles can continue another mile to the signed, upper trailhead at 12,460'.

Notes

2WD to the junction with Governor Basin. 4WD (3 rating, good clearance required) to the restroom parking. Difficult 4WD (5 rating) to the upper TH.

Trailhead Status Updates

Most Recent Update 7/22/2026:

Easy drive to the outhouse but glad we stopped there in our AWD trail rated SUV. I watched a Crosstrek get a couple wheels off the ground just past the outhouse. The page mentions dispersed camping along the road - we didn't see any! There were signs all over the place saying no camping allowed. We found one spot for a tent near the outhouse that seemed ok but otherwise we would have been sle...

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Winter Access

Usually closed low on the road.

Trailhead Facilities & Fees

Parking: Room for ~15 vehicles at the lower (restroom) parking. Some pull-offs and parking higher and room for 5 vehicles at the upper, 4WD trailhead.
Camping: Dispersed camping along the road.
Restrooms: Yes
Fees: No

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