If you crave alpine vistas, winding switchbacks, and cloud‑skimming peaks, these five mountain pass drives are your go‑to routes. Each offers breathtaking scenery, manageable fees, and camping or budget lodging options to keep your wallet happy.

1. Million Dollar Highway: Durango to Ouray, Colorado

Why Go?
Known for its dramatic drop‑offs and jaw‑dropping views of red‑rock canyons, this 25‑mile stretch of US 550 is an adrenaline rush—and easily accessible from both towns.

Route & Budget Tips

• Fees: No pass required.

• Camping: Silver Jack Reservoir Campground sites start around $20/night; nearby hostels in Ouray run $50–$70/night.

• Gas: Expect mountain‑grade prices; plan fill‑ups in Durango where rates are lowest.

2. Beartooth Highway: Red Lodge, MT to Cooke City, MT

Why Go?
Often called “the most beautiful drive in America,” this 68‑mile highway climbs to nearly 11,000 ft, traversing alpine lakes, meadows, and snowfields well into summer.

Route & Budget Tips

• Park Pass: No fee on the highway itself, but entering Yellowstone NP south of Cooke City requires a $35/vehicle pass.

• Camping: Beartooth Lake Campground is $20/night; back‑country sites are free with a permit.

• Timing: Open late May–mid‑October; watch GasBuddy for fuel updates before the climb.

3. Trail Ridge Road: Estes Park to Grand Lake, Colorado

Why Go?
As North America’s highest continuous paved road, this 48‑mile stretch through Rocky Mountain NP delivers tundra landscapes above treeline—plus elk sightings galore.

Route & Budget Tips

• Park Pass: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days).

• Camping: Moraine Park Campground starts at $29/night; budget motels in Estes Park from $60/night.

• Weather: Snow often lingers; check opening dates and pack layers.

4. Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road: West Glacier to St. Mary, Montana

Why Go?
This legendary 50‑mile drive bisects Glacier NP, showcasing sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and the ethereal Garden Wall.

Route & Budget Tips

• Park Pass: $35 per vehicle (valid 7 days).

• Camping: Avalanche Creek and Fish Creek sites are $20/night; private cabins nearby from $80/night.

• Scenic Stops: Pull over at Logan Pass and Bird Woman Falls for unbeatable photo ops.

5. Mount Evans Scenic Byway: Idaho Springs to Summit Lake, Colorado

Why Go?
Climbing above 14,000 ft, this paved byway ends just shy of the continental divide, offering tundra vistas and mountain goats at arm’s reach.

Route & Budget Tips

• Parking Permit: $10/day at Summit Lake parking area.

• Camping: Echo Lake Campground is $20/night; RV sites are $30/night.

• Health Note: Altitude sickness is real—ascend slowly and stay hydrated.

Tips to Travel Cheap in Summer 2025

• Plan with Key Websites: Use Roadtrippers to map routes and stops, GasBuddy to scout the best fuel prices, and Recreation.gov to reserve campsites early.

• Mix Stays: Alternate between free back‑country permits, established campgrounds, and budget motels to balance comfort and cost.

• Check Opening Dates: High‑altitude roads open later—verify dates to avoid closed passes.

Final Thoughts

From sheer cliff‑side drops on the Million Dollar Highway to tundra panoramas above Trail Ridge Road, these Summer 2025 mountain pass routes prove alpine adventures don’t demand alpine budgets. Pack your layers, fuel up smart, and get ready for some of the most thrilling—and affordable—drives of your life.