Grays Peak Trailhead

Front Range

Road Difficulty

3 Easy 4WD/AWD, good clearance

Location

11,280 feet
39.66087, -105.78462

Driving Directions

Take I-70 to the Bakerville exit (#221). Leave the highway and drive south over to the dirt parking area near the start of Forest Road 189. This is the winter trailhead and even if the upper road is open, low-clearance passenger cars should park here. It's almost 3 miles to the summer trailhead. Continue up the Grays Peak (189) road. After 1 mile, stay straight at a junction. Continue another 2 miles to the trailhead, at 11,280'. There are restrooms and a few dispersed camping spots near the parking area.

Notes

Normally it's Rough 2WD to the TH but some years it gets rough and might require 4WD. It always requires good-clearance. Don't attempt this road in a low clearance 2WD vehicle.

Trailhead Status Updates

Most Recent Update 11/7/2026:

Road almost entirely dry to the 4WD trailhead except one very short section of rather inconsequential ice. The road is in the best condition I've ever seen - gone are the days where you have sketchy ruts you have to have 4WD to get past - it's hardly anything worse than a bumpy dirt road at this point - still need some clearance here and there, but incredibly mild compared to what it use...

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Winter Access

Closed at the start of the 189 road, near I-70.

Trailhead Facilities & Fees

Parking: Parking for about 40 cars and it fills up very early in the morning. There are a few more spots up past the restrooms.
Camping: No official campgrounds but there are a number of dispersed camping spots near the parking area and up past the restrooms.
Restrooms: Yes
Fees: No

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