Colorado Off-Road Trails

Cottonwood Creek Road is an out-and-back trail following Cottonwood Creek up through the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area with access to dispersed campsites and two trailheads. Cataract Gulch Trailhead is located just 1.3 miles into the trail, and the Cuba Gulch Trailhead is found at the very end. Dispersed campsites are scattered along the trail with one featuring a vintage truck cab and others overlooking Cottonwood Creek, where it has carved down the rock. Although the beginning of the road is well-maintained after the first mile and a half, the surface becomes rougher with short climbs. This trail is a great spur for those trying to find camping off the busy Cinnamon Pass.

Little Government Creek Road, also known as North Sand Dunes Road, is one of the many enjoyable 4WD trails in the Walden, CO, area. The trail offers excellent views of Colorado's North Park and the sandy dunes of the North Sand Hills Recreation Area. The location is popular with OHV and 4X4 enthusiasts alike. The road climbs from the valley dunes into the Route National Forest. Both experienced and novice off-roaders will enjoy this ride.

Right around the corner from Bishop’s Castle, Ophir Creek Road takes you into the heart of the San Isabel National Forest. The views are limited along the trail, but at the end, the trail opens up to a spectacular view of the Sanger de Cristo Range. The trail is easy and sprinkled with dispersed campsites with established fire rings.

Forking off East Willow Creek Road, Phoenix Park Waterfall is a rough and rugged out-and-back trail ending in a large open meadow at the base of the La Garita Mountains, 0.75 miles from one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the Creede area. The trail starts with a rocky, loose climb and then meanders through thick groves of aspen trees as it follows along East Willow Creek. As the trail gradually ascends the valley, it remains rough and rocky through 70% of the trail, with limited sections of hard-packed dirt. The trail is one vehicle wide the entire way but does offer many pullout opportunities to pass oncoming traffic. After several creek crossings, the trail ends at an old hunting cabin where you must leave your machines behind and take off on foot to see the waterfall. Although you can see the falls from the cabin, the hike to the base of the falls is relatively easy and well worth the march. Drivers should anticipate 1 hour of travel in each direction.

Dispersed camping is allowed along the entire trail. However, the only suitable site observed would be at the end of the trail near the cabin. Although an experienced driver in an aggressive high clearance vehicle could make the drive, this trail is best suited for vehicles with larger tires and a small lift to avoid numerous belly-scraping rocks. The trail is very remote, with no cell service, and not as often traveled as other nearby roads. If an emergency should arrive, it would be a long, grueling hike for help.

Paradise Basin is a high-alpine offroad adventure that is most commonly run with Slate River Road and Gothic Road, unless you are feeling spicy and decide to tackle the infamous Schofield Pass. This trail offers scenery for days as it takes you up to Paradise Divide. Several dispersed campsites are on the way up to the top. The summit of this trail offers camping spurs at just over 11,000 feet of elevation, where the camping is plentiful, and the views from the top are unmatched. You will cross a few shallow, hard-bottomed creek crossings as you progress out of the forest toward the switchbacks. Any AWD vehicle should be able to complete this trail. You'll know you're at the top when you see a gorgeous crystal-clear lake and the sign telling you which way you're heading.

The Rio Grande National Forest is home to a multitude of outdoor activities. Ranging from fishing and hunting to hiking and off-roading, there is no shortage of activities to fill your weekend. Beaver Creek Road is one such trail that offers many, if not all, of these activities. This maintained trail, winding its way up almost 3,000 feet in elevation, is an outdoorsman's paradise. Beginning and ending at great fishing lakes, access to hiking, and being littered with campsites make for an amazing trail to begin your journey into the forests of Southwestern Colorado.

Rocky Point is a quick loop that is fun to explore, and provides great views to the south and east towards Winter Park and Fraser. As you climb into the trees on the north side of the loop, the views will be limited to the horizon, but it is a beautiful area. It is a less-explored spur, so you will find less traffic than the main trails off of Keyser Creek. It is very close to the Beaver Creek, Little Muddy Creek, and Cook Creek Rim, as well as other recreational trails in the area.

One Mile is a fun, flowy trail traversing an incredible high mountain desert south of Crested Butte. This trail is essentially the boundary for the Fossil Ridge Recreation Management area, with beautiful peaks to the east. One Mile takes you through various ecosystems, including forest, high mountain desert, and lush meadows, even with a few water crossing thrown in for good measure. If you enjoy feeling like the only person out there when you wheel, this is a great choice, as it doesn't see nearly as much traffic as the more famous trails in the area.

Perched west of the Tarryall Reservoir, Packer Gulch Road delivers a high-altitude off-roading experience amidst the predominantly flat landscapes of the area. This secluded trail ascends near-alpine heights, nestled between two 11,000 feet peaks within the expansive Badger Mountain Trail Network. Although the dense trees seldom part to unveil grand vistas, drivers relish the engaging switchbacks and the thrill of driving to the highest vehicular point within the entire network. Beyond the trail's terminus lies a spacious campsite, an ideal base for a weekend filled with exploration and adventure in the surrounding region.

At the trailhead from Highway 50, a stone plaque reads " Escalante Canyon, named after one of the two priests Escalante and Dominguez after their expedition in 1776. Rich in history, this canyon has seen its share of human beings, starting with the earliest Native Americans circa 700 AD. After the Civil War, Captain Henry A. Smith, a tombstone carver, made this canyon his home. The canyon hosted the Colorado Sheep War during March 1916, and a shootout left residents Cash Sampson and Ben Lowe dead."

Starting from Highway 50, one could take Escalante Canyon and travel to and through the Uncompahgre National Forest. The trail crosses the Gunnison River and then follows Escalante Creek. All that water provides the green pasture land you drive through before climbing into higher elevations. The first half along the creek is primarily private land with little to no camping, then once into public land, dispersed camping opportunities are available, as well as the Potholes Campground, which is reservable. There is a seven-day camp limit and no cutting or collecting firewood.

There are several historical sites, which include the Walker Cabin and Captain Smith's Cabin. Both of which are worth a stop and directly off the road.

The area is popular with climbers and mountain bikers and is suitable for any vehicle, but beware, there is no winter maintenance. It ends where 25 Road starts, where you can continue for a more extended trip.