Colorado Off-Road Trails

Located just west of Copper Mountain in the White River National Forest, Wearyman Road is a rugged 4x4 trail with steep climbs, tight pine forest, open alpine meadows, and panoramic views of the Gore Range on top of Ptarmigan Pass. The trail passes remains of old sawmills that once supplied nearby ranchers and farmers with building supplies in the early 1900s. Combine this trail with McAllister Gulch and Resolution Road to create an epic day full of views and history.

The longest, and arguably the most difficult and most scenic of the 4x4 roads in the Texas Creek OHV Area, BLM Road 6040 is the reason to visit this area. Over eight miles in length, this road gains 3,000 feet of elevation as it traverses a rocky canyon draw, a shelf road through forest, and the grassland plateau. From the shoulder of Table Mountain, expansive views to the southwest feature the magnificent Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Devoid of Colorado's grandeur, Chicken Park is located near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Locals like this area for its fishing, camping, and rock formations. The rock formations are unique: they are soft-edged blobs of granite pushed up from the earth millions of years ago. Finding camping sites nestled in lodgepole, spruce, and aspen trees is easy on this trail, or if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time, you can camp right on the edge of Creedmore Lake. This is an excellent trail for leaf-peeping on a Sunday afternoon, and be sure to bring your fishing pole.

Little Cottonwood Creek (FS 185D) is a natural rollercoaster of a trail winding through stands of Ponderosa pine and aspen forest, with constant climbs, dips, and sweeping turns that reveal one jaw-dropping view after another, giving peaks of the Arkansas River Valley below and a stunning skyline of Colorado’s fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, such as Shavano, Tabeguache, Antero, and Princeton, standing proudly to the west.

Set between Salida and Buena Vista, this scenic route is part of the expansive Fourmile Recreation Area, a playground for outdoor adventure. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a morning exploring rugged forest roads, an afternoon rafting the Arkansas, and an evening relaxing beside a campfire under endless stars.

The surrounding terrain invites you to stay awhile with ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and exploring nearby Brown’s Canyon National Monument. Every twist of Little Cottonwood Creek feels alive with that signature Colorado blend of wild beauty and endless possibility.

Miles of easy, winding roads with amazing views of the collegiate peaks on the west side and dispersed camping for tents, RVs, trailers, whatever you have. Most sites are in fir and aspen forests, but some are in open meadows that can accommodate larger groups. This area is close enough to Denver or Colorado Springs for an overnight camping trip, and the roads are fun for all sorts of off-road vehicles. Shields Gulch features campsites with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks and the hills and valleys of the Fourmile area. McGee Gulch runs along a small valley with streams and marsh areas, cattle graze along the route. Campsites here offer more protection from wind than the exposed sites on the ridges of Shields Gulch, and are closer to the main route. Small water crossings and muddy spots add diversity to the drive, which is beautiful and easy. This area is popular with ATVs and horses because it is possible to bring large trailers in safely. There are non-motorized trails for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

Located just north of Creede, traveling through the tight Willow Creek Canyon, West Willow Road is the eastern portion of the iconic Bachelor Loop Historic Driving Tour. This dirt road offers a captivating journey through rugged landscapes and past remnants of the region's once-booming mining industry. Travelers encounter numerous well-preserved historic sites, such as the Commodore Mine or the Underground Mining Museum, where you can delve into the fascinating stories of the miners who once toiled in these mountains. With breathtaking mountain views and intriguing glimpses into the past, West Willow Road is a memorable exploration of Creede's storied heritage.

BLM Road 6060 is a non-technical 4x4 road roughly midway between Canon City and Salida that takes you deep into the Texas Creek OHV area. It traverses semi-arid terrain and gains elevation through Juniper and Ponderosa forests. It features panoramic views of the Sangre de Christo mountains and some good dispersed campsites for small groups (3-4 vehicles). Surrounded by rugged mountains and rock formations, BLM Road 6060 is popular among several public lands user groups--4x4, motorcycle, ATV/UTV, hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile backcountry route stretching from Moab, Utah, to Grand Junction, Colorado. Kokopelli Road is a popular section of the trail from I-70 to the Utah border. Get ready for an epic off-roading experience as you navigate through the sand, desert foliage, and sandstone monoliths with fantastic views at every turn. Closer to the state border, the terrain gets wild, with deep canyons formed by millions of years of erosion. These canyons give you an up-close view of the Colorado Plateau's ancient geology. Bring your camera because Kokopelli Road is a scenic and most easily accessible piece of the Kokopelli Trail.

Owl Mountain is located south of Gould, Colorado, an area of the state famously known for its moose population. While traveling along in the area, keep an eye out for the giant creature as their population is abundant, and this easy offroad trek to the top of Owl Mountain will offer the opportunity to see them. The view of the Michigan River Valley from the top is worthy of a photo. Don't forget your camera.