🚙 Off-Roading the Scenic Last Dollar Road: A Telluride Loop Adventure from Ridgway, Colorado
- Switching Gears RV Diary
- Aug 10, 2025
- 4 min read
By Mark & Paula | Off-Grid Travelers
The drama of volcanic peaks, winding U-shaped canyons, and a landscape steeped in cowboy and mining history — topped off with a dash of off-roading excitement — makes this scenic loop in southwest Colorado one for the memory books. If you’re RVing, overlanding, or just dreaming of exploring one of the most underrated regions of the Rockies, buckle up. This ride through Ridgway, Last Dollar Road, and Telluride is pure magic. ✨
🏡 Start in Quaint Ridgway, Colorado
We began our adventure in the charming town of Ridgway, Colorado. Nestled at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, Ridgway is a hidden gem full of Wild West vibes, great food, and quiet natural beauty. It’s an excellent home base for RVers, with nearby campgrounds and full amenities.
🛻 RV Tips for Ridgway:
Ridgway State Park offers full hook-ups and spectacular lake views.
Stock up on essentials here before heading off-road.
Visit the True Grit Café, a nod to the John Wayne classic filmed in the area.
🏞️ San Juan Scenic Byway to Last Dollar Road
Heading west out of Ridgway, we picked up the San Juan Scenic Byway (CO-62) toward Telluride — but instead of taking the highway all the way, we turned off for an unforgettable off-road experience along Last Dollar Road (County Road 58P).
📍 Turn-off to Last Dollar Road is about 12 miles west of Ridgway.
🚗 Note: The first stretch is passable by regular cars, but conditions quickly change!
🐴 Historic Ranches & Movie Sets 🎬
This area is packed with Old West charm. The first ranch you’ll see — a sprawling 392-acre beauty — was the setting for Marlboro Man, Coors, and Anheuser-Busch ads. Just down the road, the Cal Lewis homestead was used as the Ross family ranch in True Grit, starring John Wayne.
⛰️ As the landscape opens up, keep an eye out for Hastings Mesa to the right and the Heath Ranch homestead cabin ahead.
🚧 Last Dollar Road Trail Conditions & Off-Roading Tips
This iconic route is a favorite among beginners looking for their first true Colorado trail experience. But don’t underestimate it.
🛻 Trail Composition:
25% graded gravel
60% rutted and rocky
15% narrow mountain paths
💡 Traveler Tips:
✅ High-clearance 4WD is highly recommended.
❌ Avoid during or after rain — this trail gets slick fast.
📉 Air down your shocks (we did!) for a smoother ride.
🚲 Watch out for mountain bikers — it’s a shared trail.
Pro Tip: One traveler in a sedan got stuck in a rut. Fortunately, Hubs helped pull her out — but it was a reminder that this road isn’t for low-clearance vehicles.
🌲 Scenic High Point & Overland Camping on Last Dollar Road
As you climb through golden aspen groves, the forest transitions to lodgepole pine, especially near the Alder Creek Trailhead — the trail's high point at over 10,000 feet.
🏕️ Just past this point, you’ll find scattered overlanding campsites perfect for small rigs or van lifers. Larger RVs will need to wait until the trail evens out.
📍 Best camping is near the 9,700 ft elevation point just before Telluride. The airport's below, but noise is minimal.
🕗 Morning is best for this drive to avoid sudden afternoon mountain rains.
🎿 Telluride: Where Old West Meets Luxury Resort
Coming down into Telluride, we took a clever detour to avoid the traffic and parking woes of downtown: we headed for Mountain Village — Telluride’s upscale, purpose-built resort town.
🅿️ Mountain Village Parking Garage is free during summer for day use.
🚡 From here, take the free gondola into downtown Telluride — the only transportation system of its kind in the U.S.! It offers incredible views of the box canyon, ski slopes, and town below.
🏛️ Quick Telluride History
Founded in the 1870s as a silver and gold mining town
Population: ~2,500 (but booms in summer and winter)
First successful AC power transmission in 1891
🎩 Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank here in 1889
📍 Home to Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado
🍴 Where to Eat in Telluride
💲 On a budget? Grab a quick bite at the food cart at the gondola station.
🍽️ Want something local? Check out Cornerhouse Grille — popular with locals, tasty, and unpretentious.
🥾 Downtown is highly walkable. Stroll the Victorian architecture and quirky shops.
⛰️ Return via San Juan Skyway
After a relaxing lunch and some light exploring, we headed back to Ridgway along the San Juan Skyway — one of Colorado’s most spectacular scenic byways.
We just beat the afternoon showers. If you attempt Last Dollar Road later in the day, bring recovery gear. And a Plan B.
🔗 Helpful Resources for Your Trip
🛻 Colorado Off-Road Trail Ratings (OnX Offroad)
🧭 Final Tips for RVers
✅ Best Time to Visit: Late June–September
✅ Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance 4WD
✅ Camping Options:
Dispersed: Along Last Dollar Road
Full Hookups: Ridgway State Park
✅ Fuel Up in Ridgway — few services on the trail
✅ Weather Watch: Afternoon storms are common in summer
✅ Emergency Tip: Have a recovery plan — cell service is limited
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📌 Final Thoughts
Whether you're an RVer, an overlander, or just a weekend warrior, Last Dollar Road delivers big with jaw-dropping scenery, rich history, and one-of-a-kind Colorado charm. From high alpine meadows to rugged off-road thrills and Victorian streets, this loop is the kind of trip you'll be talking about for years.
Don’t forget to pack your camera, a recovery kit, and your sense of adventure. This is Colorado at its finest.
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