Back
Cumbres Pass: Antonito to Chama, San Juan Mountains, Colorado and New Mexico
Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0 · cropped

Drives Colorado Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado

Cumbres Pass: Antonito to Chama

CO 17 · Antonito → Chama

Leisurely46 mi55 min3,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 10,200 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

CO 17 climbs southwest from Antonito on US 285 toward 10,022-foot Cumbres Pass in the San Juan Mountains, then crosses into New Mexico and ends at Chama on NM 17. The long grades run through meadow and spruce with steady curves.

The road runs near the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which the Denver and Rio Grande built in the early 1880s. Since 1970 the railroad has run the Chama to Antonito section, with trains over the pass in the tourist season.

The drive is 45.8 miles and about 57 minutes, climbing about 3,150 feet. It runs west from Antonito.

Along the way

  1. Antonito (US-285)
  2. Chama (NM-17)
Elevation
3,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 10,200 ft
AntonitoChama
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
AntonitoChama
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The pass is rarely closed in winter, but CDOT has closed Cumbres and La Manga passes for snow removal, so check COtrip.
  • The highway crosses the Colorado and New Mexico line near the pass and becomes NM 17.
  • Winters are cold at the summit; carry layers outside summer.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check COtrip (CDOT).

Questions about this drive

How long does Cumbres Pass from Antonito to Chama take?

Cumbres Pass from Antonito to Chama is 45.8 miles and takes about 57 minutes.

Is Cumbres Pass open in winter?

CO 17 over Cumbres Pass is rarely closed in winter, though CDOT has closed it for snow removal. Check COtrip before you go.

How high is Cumbres Pass?

Cumbres Pass is 10,022 feet.

Does the Cumbres Pass road follow the railroad?

It runs near the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which crosses the same pass between Antonito and Chama.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 42 drives in Colorado ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route
Map of Cumbres Pass: Antonito to Chama, from Antonito to Chama