Best Off Roading Trails In Colorado

When you want off roading trails that offer spectacular views and various difficulties, Colorado has tons of places. Some of the best places to go off roading in Colorado also have camping areas, go through ghost towns, and share the trails with hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikes and more. Some of the trails are closed during the winter because of the amount of snow the area gets, but you might find some that are open to snowmobiles. Of course, snow and cold do not stop some people with four-wheel drive, though some of the more difficult and steep trails are best left for spring, summer and fall.

Some trails are in and out, while others have so many connecting trails that you might want to consider a week or more of vacationing and camping. Colorado trails are often run by forestry management, and they require “no trace left behind.” Whether you decide to spend a few hours or several days, be prepared to take your trash with you.

Wagon Wheel Trail System

Skill Level: Beginner to Difficult
Distance: 250 miles
Elevation: Various
Seasonality: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (depending on the trail)

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

This set of off roading trails covers 250 miles and consists of 13 main trails that interconnect. You’ll find trails for all levels, including the difficult Fawn Creek to Dead Horse Loop, which has narrow trails and is steep and rocky.

No matter which trails you take, you’ll find tons of panoramic views. If you go to the Hay Flats trailhead, you might see elk calving. The Yellow Jacket Trailhead will take you to Lake Avery and Lost Park.

Some trails are OHV trails, which are dirt and usually one-lane trails through the Rocky Mountains. Ripple Creek starts at 10,282 feet, and trail #1804 accommodates vehicles of 50 inches or less. This trail is only open from June 21 through August 31. The overlook at Ripple Creek does have restroom facilities, limited parking, and restroom facilities. Most of the trails in this system do not have amenities.

Starting and Ending Points

Access to the trails includes several trailheads which can be seen on the trail map listed here. In several areas, the trailheads do not have parking – you’ll have to park your trailers in town. These trails are open to the public. Meeker and Rangely are OHV-friendly, so you can drive your vehicle on the paved roads, though there are rules you must follow.

Obstacles on the Trail

Depending on the trail, you might find obstacles such as rocks, steep hills, sharp curves, and even mudholes. The trails are in the White River National Forest. The combined venture between the White River Bureau of Land Management and Chambers of Commerce manage the trails.

Loch Lomond

Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation: Gain of 895 feet
Seasonality: Summer

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Another great place for off roading in Colorado is Loch Lomond. It is close to Empire, CO, and features a lake. The trail does allow you to bring your dog, but it must be leashed at all times. Hikers and OHVs alike share this trail. The trail is high on the Continental Divide, so the views are spectacular. Your vehicle must be street legal or registered through the Colorado State Parks’ OHV registration program. Motorized vehicles are restricted to routes designated for them.

Starting and Ending Points

You’ll need to enter GPS coordinates for the starting and ending points. The lower gate is 39.81235, -105.6619. The seasonal gate, which is closed in the snowy months, is 39.8221, -105.67208. The lake at the end of the trail is 39.83309, -105.67774.

Obstacles on the Trail

The trail is rocky, though a commenter had no problem getting his stock 4Runner through the trail.

Elk Park #720

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Distance: 2.29 miles
Elevation: 9,890 at the meetup with Elk Park #800a
Seasonality: Summer

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Once you reach the top of the trail, you’ll have a scenic view of the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forests, making this one of the best off road trails in Colorado. The trail continues as the Elk Park Trail #800a, but that part of the trail is not maintained for OHV use. Hunters use the Elk Park #720 trail for hunting during big game seasons. During the summer, traffic is light. The trail is restricted to OHVs less than 50 inches in width. The trail is near Collbran, Colorado.

Starting and Ending Points

The lower access is through the East Leon Trail #730. Travel 1.5 miles on the East Leon trail to the Elk Park lower trailhead. You can access the upper trailhead is about 0.9 miles from the Fairmont Park Reservoir. There is no separate access – you must take the trail to get to it.

 Obstacles on the Trail

The trail is mostly easy, as it travels through intermittent open meadows and spruce and fir stands. However, there are some hills you’ll have to navigate, as well as hikers and horseback riders.

Yankee Hill OHV Road

Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance: 9.5 miles
Elevation: Gain of 2,427 feet
Seasonality: Summer, Fall, Spring

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

The Yankee Hill OHV Road is heavily traveled and is near Idaho Springs, Colorado. You can bring your dog, but you must keep it on the leash. There are few hikers on the trails, as it’s primarily for OHV use.

Your vehicle must be street legal or registered through the Colorado State Parks’ OHV Registration Program. Other trails intersect with Yankee Hill, but you cannot take them unless they are designated for OHV use. Bullwackers Casino is nearby in Black Hawk. The trail is closer to Central City than Black Hawk.

Starting and Ending Points

The main route starts near the Columbine Campground. You unload near Bald Mountain Cemetary, then ride NFSR 273.2 to 175.1, then west to Alice. You can also enter the trail from Forest Road 175.3.

Obstacles on the Trail

The trail starts easy – almost boring, but gets steeper as you start climbing.

Alpine Loop

Skill Level: Intermediate to Difficult
Distance: 63 miles
Elevation: Varies – has two 12,000-foot passes
Seasonality: Summer, Fall, Spring

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Part of the trail does require four-wheel drive, so don’t think of taking a two-wheel drive Jeep through here. The terrain is very rugged on parts of the trail. The Alpine Loop is south of Telluride. You’ll find tons of ghost towns and ruins along the trail, though they are only accessible off road.

You’ll also find excellent views of the Rocky Mountains, hiking trails off the main trail, places to camp, and lots of solitude. The roads are old mining roads. You can explore the abandoned towns and structures.

Starting and Ending Points

The trail forms a loop with two ends. You can catch the trail at the BLM-Gunnison Resource Area at 216 N. Colorado in Gunnison, Lake City and Hinsdale County Visitor Center at 800 Gunnison Ave in Lake City, the Ouray Visitors Center at 1230 Main Street in Ouray, or the Silverton Visitors Center at 414 Greene Street in Silverton. 

Obstacles on the Trail

The two passes on the Alpine Loop require a high-clearance vehicle. Additionally, many parts of the trail are very rocky and steep. You might be better off with a side-by-side or an ATV, rather than a Jeep.

Roaring Creek OHV Trail

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation: 495 feet
Seasonality: June 15 through November 30  

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

This trail offers tons of camping and joins to several other OHV roads. It has a relatively flat spot at the top for camping. It has moderate traffic and is near Red Feather Lakes. You’ll have plenty of scenic views. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but remember to keep them leashed.

Starting and Ending Points

Start on Deadman Road and head south. The trail ends at Bald Mountain Road.

Obstacles on the Trail

The trail has several sharp curves, small embedded rock and mild ruts.

Ruby Jewel Route

Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 10,365 feet
Seasonality: Year-round.

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

The road is moderately trafficked and is near Walden. Views include wildflowers if you take the trail at the right season. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash. The trail area also offers bird watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, and forest views. This area does have a fee. Some of the road is a two-track road, and some of it is unpaved. The trail has waypoints for other trails.

Starting and Ending Points

The trail starts at the Ruby Jewel yurt on CO-14 and ends at the Ruby Jewel.

Obstacles on the Trail

The road is rocky, and at one point, you need a lift. You can park before the road narrows and hike the rest of the way up if you don’t have a lift. It is also quite steep.

Bull Mountain Loop

Skill Level: Easy
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 9,681 feet
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Bull Mountain has several trails. It is located in the Colorado State Forest. The dirt road goes to the ridge of Bull Mountain. During the fall, hunters use the road, and during the winter, snowmobilers use the road. You could see horses on the road during the spring, summer and fall. At the trail split, take a right to head out toward the lake, which is just off 41.

Starting and Ending Points

The trailhead is just after the maintenance facility for the park. You must pay a fee at the entrance.

Obstacles on the Trail

You might see some cows on the road as it goes through an area where cows graze.

Mendenhall

Skill Level: Moderate
Distance: 15.7 miles
Elevation: 10,363
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Mendenhall connects the Medicine Bow Mountains to North Park Valley just outside of Walden. You’ll go through a dense forest and have excellent views of the Zerkel Wilderness area. Experienced riders might find the trail more of a scenic drive, though beginners will find it more difficult.

You can access Medicine Bow Trail from this trail. Hunters frequently use this trail during hunting season. Once you get to the top, you can see Wyoming. Dispersed camping is allowed.

Starting and Ending Points

The trailhead is marked as FR 881 and is on Hohnholz Lakes Road. It ends at County Road 8 near the ridgeline.

Obstacles on the Trail

The route is smooth at the beginning, but turns rocky. You might find trees down on the road because of weather or fires.

Hardscrabble and Williams Lakes

Skill Level: Difficult
Distance: 5.8 miles
Elevation: 1,318 feet
Seasonality: May through October

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

This moderately trafficked road is near Snowmass. Most people hike the trail, but you can drive it. You’ll see excellent views of the valley and wildlife. If you decide to drive it, you’ll need a vehicle with high clearance. Dogs are allowed, but be sure to keep them leashed.

You can also visit Hardscrabble Lake, though if you skip it, you knock some miles off. If you count the mileage from Capitol Creek Road, it adds another 1.5 miles.

Starting and Ending Points

The trail branches off Hell Roaring Trail and takes you to Williams Lake.

Obstacles on the Trail

The road to the trailhead is steep and rutted.