Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area sits four miles southwest of Gunnison, Colorado, spanning roughly 14,000 acres of high-desert public land jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the City of Gunnison, and Gunnison County. With granite outcroppings, slickrock, and sagebrush terrain, it’s a gorgeous area to do off-roading and camping.

This route is an easy network of roads and two-tracks that wrap around Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. Use this as your main route and choose any of the spur roads for more adventure or camping spots. Expect varied terrain, including hard-packed gravel, sand, slickrock, small rocks, and short ledges. The hardest section on this specific route is a steep hill with loose gravel on the McCabe Lane side. However, some spur roads have harder sections that could include technical obstacles such as washouts and mild to moderate rock crawling. A high-clearance 4x4 is recommended, but not necessary for this route. The area offers 45 miles of off-road trails open to full-size 4x4s, ATVs, dirt bikes, and SxSs. 

The area has 50 designated dry/primitive campsites. The McCabe Lane entrance is easily reached by vans and even large RVs and toy haulers. The hill into the east side Base Area may be too steep and narrow for larger motorhomes and fifth-wheels, especially when wet. Designated dispersed sites are scattered throughout the area. Claiming one is as simple as pitching a tent, with many spots featuring picnic tables and fire rings. However, vault toilets are sparse.

No fees or permits are required for offroading or camping.

Like the trails in the surrounding areas, seasonal closures apply, so plan around wildlife protections and mud season. All roads and trails south of Powerline Road are closed to motorized and mountain bike use from March 15 to May 15 each year to protect Gunnison Sage-grouse breeding habitat. During this closure, Hartman Rocks is typically closed to all motorized use.