Colorado Off-Road Trails

Bassam Park Road, FS Road 187, is located within the San Isabel National Forest, approximately ten miles east of Johnson Village. This area of the National Forest, commonly called "Fourmile" or "the Casles", contains dozens of roads and spurs supporting a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. Bassam Park is noted for its high buttes and volcanic stone towers ("castles"), spring-fed creeks, and numerous beaver dam ponds. It is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The area includes maintained dirt roads suitable for stock vehicles (it is not uncommon to see ordinary passenger sedans and minivans on some trails) and more difficult 4WD roads. The greatest attractions in this area are accessibility, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and expansive views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River valley.

Located less than an hour from Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Independence Trail travels through a skinny canyon filled with massive drops and giant boulders. Part of a small rock trail system renowned as one of the most challenging rock-crawling destinations in Colorado, this trail was developed for the hardcore and the fearless. Though short in length, it’s packed with adrenaline-pumping obstacles that will test your skill and nerve. Navigating this trail requires precision and care to avoid damaging your vehicle, making every moment a high-stakes thrill.

Hidden in plain sight and rarely visited, the Mogul Mine is an incredibly scenic backcountry road in one of the most popular areas of Colorado. Overshadowed by the more popular Corkscrew Pass and Hurricane Pass It follows the eastern side of Cement Creek from the Gladstone area, up towards Ross Basin. The Mogul Mine was known for silver, gold, and lead. The structures of the mine are slowly returning to the earth, but equipment remains to be seen for curios and history buffs.

Maggie Gulch is a relatively short dead-end trail with very similar scenery and mining history to the area's larger, more well-known trails. Being a dead-end trail, Maggie Gulch does not share the tourist traffic of those other trails. This creates a relaxing journey.

The imposing 13,278-foot Mount Galena looms overhead to the south. Snow is often present late into the summer and never fully melts in a few areas. Maggie Gulch ends at the well-preserved Intersection Mill. Built in the late 1890s, the Intersection Mill is one of the few in the San Juan mountains with its stamps still standing. The boiler and winches can also be seen. Many of the mills in this area were stripped of their iron workings during a scrap metal boom around World War 2. Finding a mill with these workings still intact is truly a unique sight.

Considered the last remaining active volcano in Colorado, Dotsero Crater is a unique drive that you cannot experience anywhere else in the state. Located just west of Eagle, before entering the beautiful Glenwood Canyon, Dotsero last erupted around 4,200 years ago. Although extremely small in comparison to other volcanos, this relatively easy drive takes you over former lava flows, past large volcanic boulders, and up to scenic vistas with views of several nearby mountain ranges. This trail is the perfect early season opportunity as it sees relatively small amounts of snow and dries out rather quickly.

South Halfmoon Creek, also known as Iron Mike Mine, is a must-do trail known for its natural beauty and technical driving demands.  It is located southwest of Leadville and follows the namesake tributary of the Arkansas River. Trekking along the western shadow of Colorado's tallest peak, Mount Elbert, you will encounter several water crossings, steep climbs, narrow paths, continuous rocky terrain, and one major rock obstacle that takes its job as the gatekeeper seriously. The breathtaking scenery at the end of this trail takes work and is a hard-earned reward.

Branching off from the well-traveled Gold Camp Road, Seven Lakes serves as a scenic three-mile connector to Bull Park and Frosty Park. Panoramic views and plentiful campsites amid dense forest are a bonus. While other, more difficult nearby roads capture the spotlight, Seven Lakes awaits your return, offering scenic beauty, a peaceful creek, and campsites suited to solo adventurers or an overland-style crew.

Located just a few minutes from Woodland Park, CO, Hell Creek Spur Road is a rugged, rock-laden trail that presents a scenic yet challenging offroad adventure. This trail winds through stands of mature aspen trees, transforming into an arresting spectacle of golden hues in the fall. An established campsite awaits at the trail's end, boasting fantastic views of the Air Force Academy and the stunning area below just through the trees. Despite its rough terrain, the payoff in serene camping and natural beauty makes Hell Creek Spur Road a compelling destination for more adventurous wheelers.

Rat Creek is a breathtaking side loop off of the popular and iconic Bachelor Loop Historic Driving Tour in a lesser-known area of the scenic San Juan Mountains. This rough offroad trail begins at the headwaters of Willow Creek, gives panoramic views of the Continental Divide, and passes through lush meadows and dense forest as it snakes its way down a long valley back to Bachelor Road. If you are seeking a more exciting route in the Creede area but also want to experience the Bachelor Loop, this side spur is the trail for you.

The San Juan mining district produced over $65 million in ores between 1882 and 1918. The hills surrounding Silverton are dotted with hundreds of mines created by prospectors hunting for their fortunes. Prospector Gulch is a hard reminder of the difficulties miners faced. A plethora of mining operations scatter the landscape here with tailings galore, abandoned equipment, and buildings left only to rot in the harsh environment. With serene beauty and spectacular views, it's a surprise this trail is not more widely used.

Within Pike National Forest, Wellington Lake Road provides a scenic drive through classic Colorado woodlands, leading you to the stunning Wellington Lake. This 167-acre private lake is highlighted by its iconic rock formation, "The Castle," a captivating focal point. Though the lake is private, a range of outdoor activities are accessible for a fee, including camping, fishing, and paddleboarding. This charming trail offers more than a drive through the forest—it's an idyllic retreat featuring a landmark that never fails to impress. Don't miss this must-see trail when exploring the Pike National Forest.

This optional obstacle off of Poughkeepsie Gulch is an absolute backbreaker. Ill-equipped vehicles are often forced to winch or stack rocks to conquer this brutal rock wall. The multiple lines across the face require good suspension articulation. This obstacle can be impossible in wet conditions. Several winch anchors are scattered along the top for those requiring a little help. With a large parking area at the base, this is an excellent opportunity to snag lunch and watch vehicles take on different lines.