Colorado Off-Road Trails

Alta Lakes is another in a long list of off-road trails in the Telluride area, which will stun you with its incredible beauty and easy access. Being that the beginning of the trail is a few feet off the highway, it is easily reached by anyone in the Telluride/Silverton area, and it should not be missed. As the road climbs to the Alta Ghost Town, it pops out of the trees every now and again to reveal breath-taking views of Wilson Peak, Lizard Head, Sunshine Mountain, and the Wilson Mesas. As you pass the Alta ruins and old mill site, the number of camping spots increases significantly. Although there are not many big camping areas, you will find countless double tracks traveling into the bushes, most of which are well worth exploring. The lakes themselves offer a great place to fish, paddleboard, swim, or camp. Although Alta Lakes Road is decently short (just about 5 miles), it is gorgeous and well worth the drive, especially if you are attempting to find a great dispersed campsite.

Named after the nearby Pierson Mountain, Pierson Park Road travels through the backcountry south of Estes Park, Colorado. This trail offers spectacular views of the Estes Park Valley, including the iconic 14er Longs Peak. With abundant recreational opportunities such as camping and hiking, this trail is a popular destination for those looking for a free alternative to Rocky Mountain National Park.

If driving through lush, forested pockets of the Colorado Rockies and no shortage of water crossings sounds like your style of offroading, look no further than Sevenmile Creek. Just one hour from the Fort Collins area, this trail offers almost year-round access (minus two months during heavy spring runoff) to offroad enthusiasts. Enjoying this trail in the summer is not to be missed as the stretches of wildflowers go on as far as the eye can see, as well as the occasional visit from the local moose, elk, and deer. As the season progresses, this trail offers leaf-peepers the deep yellow and orange Aspen trees the state is famous for. Once the long days of winter are here, you can experience the sound of snow compressing under your tires, the glistening of snow crystals, and the dead silence of winter.

The hard reality of this trail is that it hasn't always been paradise. Sections of this trail showcase the destruction of the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, the largest fire in Colorado history. Large sections near the top of the trail are burnt to a crisp, but the Forest Service and the local offroad clubs worked together and re-opened this trail in late 2024. Sevenmile Creek still holds much of its beauty from the days before the fire and is genuinely a one-of-a-kind Colorado adventure that is not to be missed.

South Mineral is a picturesque trail well south of the more popular routes in the Alpine Loop area and filled with its own natural gems. Visitors looking for easily accessible camping have plenty of options with multiple free designated camping areas, a large improved campground, and dispersed sites towards the trail's end. If you enjoy sleeping to the sound of running water, you're in for a treat. The trail directly follows South Mineral Creek for the entire journey. Traffic during the busy season can be high due to the camping and the very popular Ice Lakes hiking trail across from the South Mineral Campground. It's worth the time to travel past the South Mineral Campground and get to the heart of the trail with epic views of Rolling Mountain, multi-tier beaver ponds, and mining remnants.

Park Creek is a fun trail to do while in the Bunce School Road area. It will give you access to a few more camping areas that are not as obvious as the ones that are directly off of Bunce School Road. A few of the camp sites are also large enough for a small group of vehicles to fit comfortably. The stream crossings make for a fun yet short trail ride and would be a beautiful fall color trail with the aspens along the trail.

Located just south of Fairplay, Breakneck Pass is one of several hidden gems among Colorado four-wheel drive roads along the U.S. Highway 285 corridor. Breakneck Pass features easy to moderate climbs and descents within Pine and Aspen forests. The stretch that parallels Sheep Creek provides amazing views in all directions. This area of South Park is remote and far less traveled than other passes, making it a desirable destination for weekend overland exploration. Breakneck Pass closes seasonally, December 31st through June 15th.

Climbing into a secluded alpine basin near the historic Hancock townsite, the Hancock Lake trail follows Chalk Creek over a rocky, bumpy road framed by sweeping mountain views and remote high-country campsites. The route culminates at a pair of alpine lakes cradled beneath the Continental Divide and towering 13,000-foot peaks, where stark ridgelines, lingering snowfields, and a deep sense of isolation make the destination feel far removed from the valleys below. It is a rewarding side trip for those traveling Hancock Pass and searching for a quieter taste of Colorado’s alpine scenery.

Tucked away from the more frequented trails of Mount Baldy, Eagle Rock, and Saran Wrap, this offroad adventure promises a tranquil experience, rarely marred by crowds. As you ascend the trail's initial stretch, you'll be greeted with awe-inspiring vistas overlooking the valley below. Three key stopover points offer striking views, though the trail brims with photo opportunities. Nearing the end, the trail circles Bull Park, a marshy haven, and culminates at a unique rock formation resembling a stack of pancakes—accompanied by a cozy campsite. Those craving a bit more adrenaline will find their fill, too; the trail features a mix of rock ledges, occasional water hazards, and rutted areas to test your off-roading skills.

Situated in the Arapaho National Forest and close to Denver, Colorado, the Yankee Hill 4X4 network is filled with many four-wheel drive trails, but Yankee Hill itself is the crown jewel. While many refer to the area as Yankee Hill, this is the actual summit that gives you the thrill of a moderate hill climb along with incredible high-altitude views, including James Peak, Mt. Bancroft, and Mount Evans.

The Yampa Bench Road offers amazing panoramic views in a beautiful and remote part of Colorado. The switchbacks and smooth red dirt straight-aways lead you to significant historical sites and stunning seclusion on the floor of the canyon at the confluence of the Green River and the Yampa River in Echo Park. Steamboat Rock, visible from the Echo Park Campground is the centerpiece of Dinosaur National Monument. Pictured left is the view from the Harding Hole Overlook (waypoint 11) a popular stop along the Yampa Bench Road. As you stand on the point of Harding Hole Overlook, you contemplate the time it took for the Yampa River to carve the landscape laid out before you. Listen as the canyon's resident swallows and swifts dive through the air overhead and the only other sounds you hear are the rapids, the breeze and a distant 'moooooo'.

Wildflowers in summer. Excellent fall colors. Wide views of peaceful, pastoral Park County and mountains to the north and west. These features are what make Crooked Creek an excellent, easy "get-away" trail. It offers some of the best primitive campsites in the area, most large enough for big camper trailers and a few big enough for large groups. This also makes it a favorite for hunters. The trail winds through the hills, following Crooked Creek nearly to its source. There are no real obstacles, making this a great trail for anybody to enjoy!