A designated National Scenic Trail, Vail Pass Trail offers many panoramic views of the Gore Range. Vail Pass Trail links to Tenmile Canyon Trail at Copper Mountain. The trail is paved and approximately seven feet wide.

The trail is designed for multipurpose recreation including: family activities, running, and bicycling. It also serves as an access point for fishermen and hunters.

Cooperative engineering work was done in it's planning stage between the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado State Highway Department. The Highway Department maintains most of the trail.

It should be remembered that the trail is designed for multi-use recreation. We ask that safety be stressed when using the trail. Bicycles may loose control quickly, with the many steep grades and tight corners. The difficulty in many portions of the trail may demand good physical shape for bicyclists.

Directions from Vail: Travel east on I-70 approximately 4 miles to exit 180, the East Vail exit. Turn right (south) from the off-ramp onto a frontage road. Follow the frontage road to the road closure gate, approximately 2 miles. This is the start of Vail Pass Trail.To access the trail at the top of Vail Pass, follow I-70 east to the Vail Pass exit. Park at the rest area and follow the frontage road to Black Lakes. The Frontage Road turns into the bike path. Vail, Frisco, or Glenwood can be accessed from this point. The trail can also be accessed from bicycle paths in the town of Vail or from Copper Mountain.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel east on I-70 to the east Vail exit, (#180). Turn right (south) from the off-ramp onto a frontage road. Follow the frontage road to the road closure gate, approximately 2 miles. This is the start of Vail Pass Trail.To access the trail at the top of Vail Pass, follow I-70 east to the Vail Pass exit. Park at the rest area and follow the frontage road to Black Lakes. The Frontage Road turns into the bike path. Vail, Frisco, or Glenwood can be accessed from this point. The trail can also be accessed from bicycle paths in the town of Vail or from Copper Mountain.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Summer through Fall (NOTE: Seasons vary depending on weather and snow depth. The trail is not maintained in the Winter months) .

Gore Creek General Forest Area - The Gore Creek General Forest Area includes the entire Gore Creek drainage, which runs from Dowd's Junction to Vail Pass and the Gore Range.

Heaton Bay Campground - Heaton Bay Campground has 72 sites. It is located between Dillon and Frisco on Dillon reservoir. Heaton Bay has one handicapped accessible site.

Shrine Pass Road - The Shrine Pass Road is an improved gravel road which runs from Redcliff, over Shrine Pass, to the top of Vail Pass.