Colorado Off-Road Trails

Castle Rock Gulch Road is located within the San Isabel National Forest, approximately ten miles east of Johnson Village. This area of the National Forest, commonly referred to as “Fourmile” or "the Castles", contains dozens of roads and spurs which provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. Castle Rock Gulch is noted for its rock outcroppings, broad stream-filled meadows, and twisty roads. The rock features offer splendid viewing and photography. This road is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Its accessibility to RVs and horse trailers, the multiple outdoor activities it invites, and the visual contrasts between stone and green meadows are Castle Rock Gulch's greatest attractions.

South of Silverton lies Kendall Mountain, a 13,000-plus peak casting a shadow over the valley. Kendall Mountain trail winds up the western slope, stopping shy of the jagged, barren peak. Titusville and Kendall Group Mines are found along this narrow shelf road before reaching the radio tower. Once at the tower, park and walk the remainder of the trail, as there is virtually no room to turn a vehicle around at the end. Views of Silverton are quite impressive, especially on a clear day when you can see all of the colorful hills that surround this mountain town. Camping was available in dispersed sites along the first mile or two of the trail. If heights or narrow shelf roads aren't your thing, this may not be the trail for you.

County Road 5 is an easy, mostly graded dirt trail with great views of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness and San Isabel National Forest. The road provides easy access to a few trail systems between Fairplay and Leadville, CO, and takes you directly to the Weston Pass TH. About halfway down this trail, a few small areas have small ruts and rocks protruding, but these are easy to drive over. While traveling on this road, you may see elk, black bears, moose, and other wildlife that call this area home. A handful of free dispersed camping sites along this trail are large enough for campers and larger groups. As you travel deeper into the mountain, the campsites get smaller and more remote, but dispersed camping is abundant in the surrounding area.

First discovered in 1896, Cashin Mine had a long history of silver and copper mining within this scenic slot canyon. Comprised of numerous mines, the mine buildings at the end of this short trail are a time capsule of the old days. After dropping down to the creek from the blind turn along Highway 90, you're immediately enveloped by the colorful sandstone cliffs and dense vegetation along La Sal Creek. The trail can be driven in 2WD in dry conditions with durable tires and high ground clearance. The sporadic shallow mud puddle may be the most challenging point. You will find camping at 4 to 5 different pull-off type campsites. One special campsite is on the creek with a large boulder, shade trees, and room for 2 to 3 vehicles with tents. You have your choice of where to end the trail to turn around. At the first set of wooden buildings, there is room for a few vehicles to park; beyond that, the trail ends at a mine entrance in tight brush. Either parking area is a short walk along and across the creek to reach the large production building.

Rupp Gulch Road is a deeply rutted and twisty trail that takes you deep into the heart of Rampart Range's lush forest. This trail offers a rugged and adventurous drive, perfect for campers seeking an authentic wilderness experience. While primarily a camping trail, Rupp Gulch can be combined with Soldier Mountain Road to form a loop, providing a challenging drive and access to serene, secluded camping spots. Whether you are looking for a thrilling offroad adventure or a peaceful nature retreat, Rupp Gulch Road delivers a memorable journey.

Amid the expansive Badger Flats Trail Network, Confirmed Road is a less-traveled gem for serious off-roaders looking for an alternative to busier trails like China Wall Road. This trail, untouched by regular maintenance, presents a stimulating blend of difficulty and technical demands that inject a thrill into the journey. The trail's peak unfolds after a challenging hill climb towards Figure 9 Road, where a stunning mountain panorama of Pike's Peak awaits. This breathtaking view, unfolding on the descent, is the cherry on top of the thrilling ride, making Confirmed Road an enticing pick for adventurous wheelers seeking a memorable offroad experience in Colorado.

The trail to the Golconda Mine and Boarding House is a fun, moderate side trip off of Engineer Pass to excellently preserved mining ruins. It follows County Road 21 up what is a rocky but reasonably wide shelf road to the head of Hurricane Basin, to the Golconda Mine Complex. While the road continues a short distance further up a rougher section of loose shale to a dead end with good views above the main mine complex, a turn-off to the left takes you to the site of the Golconda Mine's blacksmith/compressor house and boarding house.

Originally built in 1920, both structures were restored and partially reconstructed in 2014 by the BLM and Hinsdale County and are now among the best-preserved examples of historic mining buildings in the San Juans. The boarding house is especially interesting, as it has multiple large rooms to explore or look into on two different floors as well as furniture, including bed springs and tables.

The scenery on the trail is first-rate, and the road should be passable to stock SUVs. There is only one small campsite right off the trail that didn't look very level, so this trail is not recommended for camping.

With its grassy hillsides, this off-road trail offers a different type of scenery than most of the trails within the Empire Loop. The Empire Loop is a network of trails just above the historic town of Empire. The area offers amazing alpine scenery and all types of off-road trails. This particular trail is good to combine when doing Bill Moore, Red Elephant, and Mill Creek.

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right... this isn't a video game, it's Old Stage 220 near Divide, Colorado. Carving through Wildcat Canyon, this trail traverses the haunting yet beautiful aftermath of the Hayman Fire. Amidst the landscape, burned-out tree trunks stand as stark reminders of the past, while new aspen groves burst with life, showing nature's resilience and renewal. The trail's technical challenges include twisty rock sections, and relentless off-camber turns demanding precision driving and skilled patience. Each trail segment tests your off-roading abilities and offers a vivid encounter with the dynamic natural regeneration cycle. Old Stage 220 provides a unique blend of adrenaline and reflection, making each journey a profound experience amid Colorado’s recovering wilderness.

Guernsey is one of the main routes into the network of trails that parallels Kenosha Pass on the west side of highway 285. The trail begins as a right turn off US 285 just past Lininger Lake Road (County Road 58). While technically an out-and-back trail, it does intersect with

Foreign

and Wahl so only last segment, after the intersection with Wahl, is truly out-and-back. The road surface is mostly rough dirt with small ruts and rocks. Along the first section of the trail, as you climb up to the ridge, there are a couple of bigger ruts and steeper climbs. Good tire placement will be important. The section from the top of the ridge down to Wahl is relatively smooth and easy. After the intersection with Wahl, as the trail climbs to the dead end, it becomes narrower, steeper, and rougher, with a couple of steep, loose climbs that may challenge a stock vehicle and a few tight turns between the trees as you near the top. Camping is only allowed in designated sites until you get near the top of the ridge, but there are several very nice sites designated. After you cross the ridge, dispersed camping is allowed, and there are several more nice sites. As with all the trails in the network, Guernsey is a great trail for viewing fall colors.

Soldier Mountain Road offers an engaging drive through the scenic forests of Rampart Range. As part of a loop with Rupp Gulch Road, Soldier Mountain Road leads to excellent camping spots in the area's natural beauty. Whether looping back from its more challenging partner or driving this trail on its own, Soldier Mountain Road is a delightful and relaxed drive through the woods.

The Mount White Trail is unique in that the entire trail is above timberline. If you love elevation and being in the center of several 14ers and 13ers, this area will not disappoint! The views along the entire route are amazing and perfect for photographing several major Central Colorado Peaks. As you travel toward Mount White (13,667'), to the north, you have Mount Antero (14,275'), to the south are Mount Shavano (14,232') and Mount Tabeguache (14,163'), and to the west is Cronin Peak (13,877'). As you come to the end of the trail the views into the Arkansas River Valley are equally impressive. Mount White is a nice addition to the Mount Antero Trail, making for a full-day adventure.

Stoney Pass Road climbs gently from the Goose Creek area into the pine-draped ridges and open hills of the South Platte high country, tracing the edge of the Hayman burn scar with big views and a steady, scenic rhythm. Once a wagon path into the South Platte gold belt of the 1800s, the route now links Matukat Road to the Wellington Lake area as a relaxed forest drive. Dispersed campsites dot the area, and while the memory of one of Colorado's largest wildfires still remains, the quiet regrowth of the forest brings a great sense of solitude to users of Stoney Pass Road.

Aspen Mountain Summer Road is a hard-packed dirt and gravel service road climbing up the side of Aspen Mountain, rolling across the ski slopes and under the chairlifts. The road connects Richmond Hill to the town of Aspen and is generally 2+ vehicles wide with no obstacles beyond the occasional pothole and washboard stretches. The road is steep in sections, and a low-end transfer case will be extremely useful in avoiding undo stress on the mechanical parts of your vehicle. This road can become extremely muddy and slippery after a rain storm, making four-wheel-drive necessary. This road is suitable for any high clearance passenger vehicle.

The road is only open during the summer months and is subject to closure at any time due to ski resort operations. Because the road travels entirely on Aspen Resort property, no camping exists. Aspen Mountain Summer Road is exceptionally scenic, with fantastic views of Aspen and the surrounding valleys.

West Pine Creek Road is graded dirt accessible by all street-legal vehicles.  While traveling on this route, be cautious to avoid the soft shoulders. This road connects Jarre Canyon Road to the north and South Platte River Roads inside Pike National Forest. There is no camping on this road, and it travels primarily through private lands. You can use this road to connect to the Rampart Range Trails System to the east and the Platte River to the west.

Paines Ridge Road is a primary spur off the

Historic Waldorf Wagon Road (AKA McClellan Mountain)

near Georgetown, Colorado. The moderate trail climbs up the side of Paines Mountain, even riding along a shelf for a short distance. Paines Ridge Road provides nice views and gets you away from the crowds on the nearby trails.

Located less than an hour from Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Patriot Trail traverses one of the toughest 0.1 miles in the state of Colorado. With continuous car-sized boulders from start to finish, this trail will be an unforgettable experience that tests your skills and pumps your veins with adrenaline as you put your vehicle through the ultimate durability test. If tackling extreme trails in a purpose-built vehicle is your thing, Patriot should absolutely be on your "to-do" list.

Gardner Road provides easy access into the San Isabel Nation Forest from Colorado Highway 69. Gardner Road repeatedly alternates between national forest land and private property belonging to the Centennial Ranch Aspen Mountain Ranch Association. As always, be respectful of the area and keep an eye out for the free-range cattle that graze in the area. There aren't any campsites along Gardner Road, but there are plenty of designated campsites along nearby Deer Peak Road and Ophir Creek Road. For maximum viewing pleasure, Gardner Road should be driven from north to south. Views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range are absolutely spectacular.