About this campground
The Shrine Ridge trail begins at Shrine Pass Road #709 and ends at Shrine Mountain Ridge. Follow the trail southwest as it climbs through pine-studded meadows. After about 1.3 miles the trail turns west heading through pine forest before the steepest part of the climb to the saddle to the west of you. From the saddle turn right and travel northwest to Shrine Mountain where you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views. Named “ Shrine” for its excellent view of the Mount of the Holy Cross,the pass was originally a Ute Indian trail and later used by silver miners and settlers. Views from Shrine Mountain include: North - Gore Range, Northwest - Uneva Peak, Southeast - Copper Mountain ski area, South - Ptarmigan Hill and Ptarmigan Pass, Southwest - Sawatch Range and Mount of the Holy Cross, West - The Flat Top Mountains. View a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail.
Getting there
Travel east from Vail on I-70 to Exit 190 for Vail Pass. Exit here and turn right, heading west, onto the Shrine Pass dirt road (FSR 709). Follow this easy road 2.3 miles to just past the indistinct Shrine Pass summit and forest boundary. The trailhead is on the left near the gravel driveway for the Shrine Mountain Inn.
Activities
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
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Shrine Ridge #2016 doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Colorado campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Colorado camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.