Colorado Off-Road Trails

Lost Canyon is an offroad trail connecting Gunnison to Almont in a nice, scenic detour through BLM and National Forest land. This trail is a great option for a stock rig with a transfer case to camp and enjoy the great outdoors. This is one of those trails with an easy side and a harder side. The harder side starts in Almont and takes you up a few narrow, steep switchbacks with amazing views of the mountains north of Crested Butte. The easy side of the trail starts in Gunnison, which any passenger car can do, and ends up on the top of an Aspen-filled plateau that would be wonderful during the autumn season when the colors are changing. There are a handful of nice camp spots along this trail if you are looking for a quiet place to spend the night, as this trail doesn't see nearly as much traffic as the remainder of other popular trails in the area.

Just an hour from Denver, Crossons Trail offers a secluded escape within the bustling Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. Initially an old mining road, this route presents a tranquil alternative for those seeking solitude and expansive mountain vistas. The trail initially winds through a forested landscape before opening into a burn-scarred expanse, revealing breathtaking views of Pike's Peak and surrounding mountain ranges. While the remnants of Crosson's town are now private property, a 2.5-mile walk from the trail's end grants public access to those willing to be respectful. Offering both a serene backdrop and a tangible connection to Colorado's mining history, Crossons Trail is an unmissable, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Gunsight Pass is a lesser-known but highly scenic trail near Crested Butte that spurs off the Paradise Divide loop. It starts at a parking area and trailhead for several nearby bike trails. The trail fords the Slate River next to a bike/pedestrian bridge, then climbs up through Wolverine Basin to a saddle with panoramic views at the summit of Gunsight Pass. The northern side of the pass is open to all vehicles, while the southern side is a mountain bike trail that descends to Kebler Pass Road.

The whole trail is moderately difficult and drivable by any four-wheel-drive vehicle. The lower part of the trail is mostly rocky dirt as it climbs through an aspen forest with gorgeous fall colors in late September. It passes historic mining ruins in Wolverine Basin and then turns into a rocky shelf road above timberline for the final ascent to the pass's summit. While this section is intimidating, but it is not off-camber, and there is plenty of room, though passing would be difficult anywhere except at switchbacks. The view from the summit of both the Slate River and Kebler Pass valleys is stunning.

Camping is not allowed. Multiple designated campsites are nearby along the Paradise Divide Road and the Poverty Gulch Road.

This is a well-groomed gravel road that takes you into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and travels along the northern edge of the Black Canyon. The road is easy and suitable for any vehicle. It offers many pull-out viewpoints but has no camping options.

Sawmill Gulch is a rough and rocky straight-through road that connects the end of Switzerland North Trail to Sawmill Road, which can then be used to create a loop back to the start of Switzerland North, or used as an exit to Lefthand Canyon Drive. This road has a couple of steep, rutty climbs and offers a small handful of good campsites ideal for tent campers, car campers, and small offroad trailers. This road is suitable for any high clearance vehicle, with the most difficult spot being a short rocky climb with a slight camber of 13 degrees. 4-wheel drive will be necessary.

Winding gently through a wide valley, Beaver Creek S. H. Road is the kind of trail that’s less about challenging terrain and more about soaking in the scenery. Rolling meadows, pine-covered hillsides, and the namesake creek meander nearby. However, the main attraction here is the camping with a multitude of dispersed spots along the trail, many of them roomy enough for small group setups. Beaver Creek is a great place to set up a weekend basecamp to play on Rampart Range or just look for a quick overnight under the stars.

The area around Dakota Hill and Oregon Hill was mined extensively in the late eighteenth and early twentieth centuries. Dakota Hill East boasts several relics of that rich mining history. The one the trail is most noted for is the Shaft House at the Mareau Mine, but there is also a large set of diggings and tailing piles from that mine and a collapsed adit lower on the trail, which has recently been re-staked as an active mining claim. In addition, the lower portion of the trail adds fun challenges as you make your way up the loose, rocky ascents. Using Dakota Hill East as access or egress from the network of trails around Dakota Hill and combining it with other trails in the area can provide everything from a quick afternoon outing to an all-day (or overnight) adventure. 

Red Dirt Road is primarily a graded dirt road that cuts through the Routt National Forest.  This road has a few dispersed campsites located along the southern end, but more are found on the spurs branching off to the west.  Since the road is made of soft dirt, be cautious of the sporadic deep ruts.  While the road is easily accessible in the summer by most vehicles, only skiers and snowmobiles are allowed during the Winter.  This road offers amazing views of the surrounding mountain ranges and is home to moose, bears, and other wildlife.  If you are looking for a place to air up or down, there are nice spots on the north and south end of the trail, but once you exit the forest, there are very few areas you can pull off.

Typically overshadowed by the popularity of Engineer Pass and other San Juan trails, Nellie Creek is one of the lesser-known trails off the Alpine Loop. This trail offers superb dispersed camping and provides access to one of Colorado's 58 14'ers, the 14321-foot Uncompaghre Peak. Its proximity to the wilderness boundary makes this an excellent trail for viewing wildlife, including deer, moose, and all of the famous wildflowers that high-country Colorado is known for. If you are looking for secluded camping off the Alpine Loop or want to get out and explore the Uncompaghre Wilderness on foot, don't miss Nellie Creek.

The Laramie River Valley Road is a picturesque route that meanders through the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado near the Wyoming border. Known as the gateway to the Rawah Wilderness, this road follows the course of the serene Laramie River. The Rawah Wilderness, spanning over 76,000 acres within the Roosevelt National Forest of Colorado, is a testament to nature's untouched beauty.  This route provides access from the Poudre River Road, near Cameron Pass, to Wyoming’s Snowy Range near Woods Landing. Dispersed camping and designated campgrounds are abundant and popular along this route.

American Basin Road spurs off Cinnamon Pass and makes a short climb up along the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area to its end at the American Basin Trailhead. Those looking for a place to camp are treated to a handful of stellar spots, all with views of American Peak and Handies Peak. Although the trail may be busy with hiking traffic, this is still a worthwhile trek when you're in the area. The area is renowned for its wildflowers in late summer.