Boreas Pass Section House
Facility · Colorado ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Pike National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 11,504 ft
- Elevation
The section house is located at the summit of Boreas Pass and in the late 1800s and early 1900s served as the main building for the Denver, South Pacific, and Pacific Railroad when it made its way over the pass. This area was the site of the highest narrow guage railroad in the United States. During the period between 1870 and 1920, a town of 150 people existed at Boreas Pass helping to maintain the railroad and the trains that passed by.
Today the Section House is restored to its former glory. Visitors may see what life was like in such an unforgiving environment.
Overnight reservations can be made during the winter months at: www.summithuts.org
Getting there
From Fairplay travel north on US Highway 285 to the town of Como. Turn left onto County Road 33 and follow this until you reach Forest Service Road 33, and turn right. Follow this road for about eight miles until you reach the summit of Boreas Pass where the section house is located.
39.41050, -105.96766 · 39°24'37.8"N 105°58'3.6"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Boreas Pass Section House
- Can you reserve a site at Boreas Pass Section House?
- No. Boreas Pass Section House is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Also listed by
Boreas Pass Section House also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Boreas Pass Section House's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
Accessibility:
- This site is available year round; however, there is a seasonal gate closure that affects the road. You may have to ski or snowshoe in.
Camping near Boreas Pass Section House
- Selkirk 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Michigan Creek 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Roberts Cabin 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jefferson Creek 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lodgepole (Jefferson Lake, Fairplay Colorado) 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Aspen (Co) 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- French Gulch #2 3.9 mi · Facility
- Georgia Pass Road (South Fork Swan) #355 4.3 mi · Facility
- Spruce Creek (Mohawk Lakes) #58 4.8 mi · Facility
- Burro #80 6.2 mi · Facility
- Crystal Lakes #44 6.7 mi · Facility
- Lodgepole Campground 6.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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