Red Rocks-Nighthorse Trail (North)

The northern section of Red Rocks-Nighthorse Trail connects Ute Road to Smith Mountain Road, traveling along a rough, bumpy, and extremely scenic ridgeline on the edge of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. Red Rocks-Nighthorse is only open to 4x4 vehicles on the northern and southern ends of the trail. The middle section between Bobcat Road and Ute Road is restricted to single-track vehicles, so this northern section cannot be used as a full-size 4x4 connection to the southern end.

This section follows packed dirt mixed with protruding sandstone slabs and small rocks roughly 6 to 10 inches tall. The trail is not overly technical, but the constant bumps, embedded rock, and tight pinyon-juniper vegetation keep the pace slow. Pinstriping is very difficult to avoid. The route is highly scenic, with excellent views into the Gunnison Gorge and across to the West Elk Mountains.

Camping can be found at several of the scenic viewpoints along the trail, with nearly a dozen possible dispersed sites. Site size and quality vary. Some are rocky and uneven, while others offer enough level, rock-free dirt for ground tents or vehicle-based camping.