Yankee Boy Basin Road is a 18.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ouray, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
kid friendly
fly fishing
hiking
ice climbing
mountain biking
off road driving
rock climbing
scenic driving
snowshoeing
trail running
walking
horseback riding
cave
forest
lake
river
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
rocky
snow
The first half of the trail is fairly easy. After that it gets a little more dificult, but a car with good clearance with a good driver will be able to make it. There are a few steep dips and some high points so a car with a long wheelbase or bad approch and departure angles would have a hard time. Once you make it to the rest rooms at the bottom of the basin it gets to be a moderate 4X4 road. A stock SUV with decent clearance and 4-low mode can make it if you drive carefully and pick the right lines. One of the most popular destinations in the Ouray area due to its stunning natural beauty, rich history and colorful wildflowers. At the height of spring color, photographers flock to the area. Popular landmarks include the Drinking Cup, Twin Falls, Atlas Mill, Camp Bird Mine and the rock overhang. Because the area is used so heavily, camping is restricted to designated areas and a fee is charged to camp. High Point 12,400 ft., Best time to go: Mid July-Sept. Located in Uncompahgre National Forest. For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. The lower portion of the trail is easy. Beyond the toilet, the trail gets rocky, narrow and steep, but is suitable for aggressive, high-clearance, stock SUVs. A gate for the upper portion of the trail is closed until the snow melts, usually in late June or early July.
Is it possible/allowed to park and camp at the Upper TH of the Yankee Boy Basin ?
I am planning for off roading in my Jeep Wrangler 4 dr JK
A little creepy in the dark! We drove up at 5am in an Acura sedan, made it just fine!
Had a great trip and amazing scenery. Took the Jeep all the way to the top with no problems. Beautiful trail with Twin Falls and many other sights along the way.
This IS the place for taking pictures. We will go back with that in mind. We prefer the Ouray to Yankee Boy to Imogene to Telluride route. Late lunch in Telluride. Then your preference back.
Amazing views and gorgeous wildflowers
Hopefully, I'm headed up there 7/11. Will a long bed 4X4 truck make it?
Fun drive. First time four wheeling. Own a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, no lift. Got high centered on a snowy patch at the top and needed some friendly folks from New Mexico to help pull me out. Flowers were not in full bloom though. Looks like they are going to be great in a couple of weeks. I'm new at it, but I'm guessing this drive is not too tough for the experienced drivers. Definitely gets more challenging and fun at the top. My kids (teens) loved it. Lots of great places to stop and take photos.
Beautiful basin. Still snowed in a the top, can't reach the last quarter mile or so with vehicle and would need to hike trough snow. Only small flowers, while I've never seen the full bloom, I expect it's still a couple weeks until the larger flowers open. Was a great afternoon picnic for the family.
Can anyone let me know if some wildflowers are out yet or is it still full of snow?
good trail. probably 1 until Governor Basin Tugn-off. passed that it is a steep one lane climb.
Heaven on Earth ❤️❤️
Drove and hiked portions of this trail in September 2015. Portions are rocky with high clearance a must. Fun driving, fun hiking, elevation kicked my butt, and beautiful scenery.
we got pretty close with our rental car. but I wouldn't recommend that for everybody. the road is one lane in sections so take turns passing other vehicles. a white knuckle drive!