5 Places to cross the Continental Divide in Colorado

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When traveling through Colorado you cannot avoid hearing about the beauty of the Continental Divide. Continental Divide points of interests are great spots to stop and take pictures while soaking in the scenery on a Rocky Mountain road trip.

When checking with locals and visitors, we discovered a lot of confusion regarding what the Continental Divide actually is.

The History of the Continental Divide

The Continental Divide has shaped North America’s landscapes, cultures, and travel routes for millions of years.

The Rocky Mountains, which form much of the Great Divide, began rising over 70 million years ago due to tectonic activity, directing rivers toward either the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Indigenous tribes like the Ute and Arapaho used the divide as a natural boundary and travel route for hunting and trade.

In the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark crossed the divide at Lemhi Pass, Montana, marking a major milestone in westward exploration. As settlers moved west, the divide presented a significant challenge for travel and trade. By the late 19th century, railroads and roads made crossing the divide easier. The Transcontinental Railroad provided a faster route, while modern highways like I-70 and Trail Ridge Road turned it into a scenic attraction.

Today, the Continental Divide is an iconic landmark, drawing hikers, road-trippers, and outdoor enthusiasts eager to experience its breathtaking landscapes and rich history.

Understanding the Continental Divide

A continental divide is a watershed boundary where the drainage basin on one side feeds into one ocean or sea, while the other side feeds into a different ocean or sea.

 North America’s Continental Divides – The Great Divide

The most famous Continental Divide of the Americas is also called the Great Divide. It separates the watersheds of the Pacific Ocean from those of the Atlantic Ocean.

It runs from Alaska, through western Canada along the crest of the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. From there, it follows the crest of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental and extends to the tip of South America.

However, this isn’t North America’s only continental divide, there is also the Northern Continental Divide, the Eastern Continental Divide, the Saint Lawrence River Divide, the Great Basin and the Laurentian River Divide.

Some towns you can’t miss along the way include Leadville, Aspen, Buena Vista, Estes Park, and Breckenridge!

.See the map below to learn more about America’s Continental Divides.

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Continental Divides of the World

Depending on your definition of ocean, Eurasia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica have multiple divides.
The map below shows drainage of the major oceans and seas of the world…

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Myths and Misconceptions About the Continental Divide

The Continental Divide is one of North America’s most famous natural landmarks, but it’s also surrounded by myths. From water flow to weather patterns, let’s set the record straight on some of the most common misconceptions.

Water Swirls in a Different Direction at the Continental Divide

False. Despite the legend, standing on one side of the Continental Divide won’t make water swirl differently than on the other. The Coriolis effect, which influences massive weather patterns, is far too weak to impact water in sinks, toilets, or small streams. Instead, factors like bowl shape, movement, and pressure determine which way water drains—not geography.

The Continental Divide Is a Single, Unbroken Line

False. The Great Divide is just one of several continental divides in North America. Other significant divides, like the Northern Divide, Eastern Divide, and Laurentian Divide, also play a role in directing water to different oceans and basins. In Colorado, the Great Divide follows the Rocky Mountains, separating waters that flow toward the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Wind Always Changes Direction at the Continental Divide

False. While it’s true that high-altitude passes along the divide, like Loveland Pass and Independence Pass, experience unpredictable winds, the divide itself doesn’t control wind patterns. Wind is shaped by global atmospheric circulation, terrain, and local weather systems, not an invisible force at the Continental Divide.

It’s Always Colder on One Side of the Continental Divide

False. The Continental Divide itself doesn’t dictate temperature, but it does influence regional weather patterns. The Western Slope of Colorado tends to be drier due to the rain shadow effect caused by the Rocky Mountains, while the Eastern Slope gets more moisture and precipitation. However, temperature differences are primarily due to altitude, seasonal changes, and regional climate patterns—not just the divide.

The Continental Divide Causes Earthquakes

False. While the Rocky Mountains were shaped by tectonic activity, the Continental Divide is not a fault line and doesn’t cause earthquakes. Most seismic activity in the United States is linked to active fault zones like the San Andreas Fault in California or the Wasatch Fault in Utah.

You Can See the Continental Divide from Space

Partly true. The Rocky Mountains, which form much of the Great Divide, are visible from space. However, the divide itself is not a distinct line but rather a natural watershed boundary that follows ridges and peaks. While astronauts can spot the mountain range, the divide is not a visible landmark like a road or a river.