Colorado Off-Road Trails

Nestled in the heart of Wildcat Canyon near Divide, CO, the Predator is a hidden gem that offers a blend of mild off-road terrain and breathtaking scenery. The trail passes through white-barked aspen groves and majestic pine forests with stunning views of Pikes Peak and the distant Sangre de Cristo Range. The trail provides both serenity and excitement, with the chance to spot native wildlife like mule deer and elk while tackling a few rocks and steep inclines. With this captivating mix of natural beauty and off-roading challenges, Predator promises to enthrall, challenge, and soothe.

An extraordinary off-road adventure, Signal Butte Road weaves through an enchanting landscape of dense forest and open meadows punctuated by mesmerizing views of towering mountains in the distance. Its mildly challenging terrain, with occasional rocky patches and minor inclines, provides an exhilarating journey for off-roaders, while the scenic beauty ensures a fulfilling experience for nature lovers. The trail's route also takes you past the remnants of the Hayman Fire, allowing a poignant glimpse into nature's resilience and regeneration. Whether tackling Signal Butte Road alone or as part of a more extensive off-road exploration, prepare for a captivating blend of thrilling adventure, awe-inspiring scenery, and a compelling insight into Colorado's natural history.

Located in the White River National Forest just above the historical Camp Hale, this trail provides users with endless amazing views of the Sawatch Mountains and takes you up a stunning dirt road drive that ends at one of the incredible 10th Mountain Division Huts. Not to be confused with the popular Ptarmigan Pass, Ptarmigan Road is a dead-end trail spur off of Resolution Road. Because this is not a through road, this trail is often overlooked by recreational users and provides a bit more seclusion. Two fantastic overlooks with plenty of open space will stomp exclamation points on your adventure down this off-road trail. Additionally, if you are in the Leadville or Red Cliff area and you are looking for an easy, short trail that will give you an epic sunset, this should be at the top of your list.

The Round Mountain trail is part of the Bonanza Off-Highway Vehicle Tour in a historic mining area. The trail begins immediately off Highway 285 near the abandoned town of Alder. The east half of the trail starts off smooth but becomes rough as it ascends over 3000 feet up Round Mountain on a narrow and sometimes steep trail with loose rocks. Passing opposing traffic is difficult in this area, and pinstripes are guaranteed in the tight sections. The summit of Round Mountain offers great views. Continuing the trail down the west side takes you past several historic mining sites and into the mostly abandoned, remote mining town of Bonanza. The west side is more mild than the east side and not as narrow.

The hardest part of the trail is on the east side approaching the summit, where it is steep, loose, and narrow, with limited passing spots. The trail can be traversed by any stock high-clearance vehicle with 4WD and a low range.

Camping is limited to only a few suitable spots along the trail.

Sportsman Road is a quiet trail that usually isn't busy, making it a great spot to escape from the crowds on its neighbors, Longwater and Hackett Gulches. The road is relatively easy but connects to trails that offer rock-crawling opportunities for more experienced drivers and thrill seekers. The road links directly to the Wildcat Canyon trails like Old Stage FS220 and Forest Service 202, so there's plenty to explore.

Burns Park Road presents an immersive offroad odyssey through panoramic landscapes and echoes of a storied mining past. As you traverse from rutted trails unveiling breathtaking mountain vistas into the heart of dense forests, the terrain grows richer, inviting challenges amidst its rocky expanse. A haven for solitude seekers or aspiring off-roaders eyeing tougher endeavors like the nearby China Wall, this trail is cradled in the Puma Hills of the Tarryall Mountains, once a bustling hub of mining exploits. Pair Burns Park Road with Thorpe Road and Puma Road for a full day of unforgettable adventure, uniting historical exploration and off-roading thrill.

Arguably the most difficult and extreme rock-crawling trail in Colorado, Ten Falls is a legendary buggy trail that will test the capabilities of any vehicle and the fortitude of any driver. Located within the Gypsum Hills Recreation Area north of Gypsum, Ten Falls travels up the dry canyon creek bed of Cottonwood Creek for 3 miles, tackling a continuous string of off-camber, high-angle vertical climbs. Although named Ten Falls, there are far more than just ten obstacles. Rumor has it that the first trail runners lost count of the numerous waterfall climbs and decided it was easiest to just say ten. Vertical climbs over 8 feet tall often undercut severely, and the potential for backward rollovers is very high. Drivetrain failures are common while attempting this trail, so spares are highly suggested. This trail is famous for people starting early in the morning and not finishing until 2 am the next day. Running it without damage takes several hours. 

This is an extreme trail that should only be attempted by highly skilled drivers in specialized, rock crawling-specific vehicles.

Traveling along the eastern edge of a spectacular high alpine lake, Heart Lake is a fantastic trail for dispersed camping, fishing, and awe-inspiring views of the famous Flat Top Mountain Range. The trail travels between Coffee Pot Road and Blair Mountain and offers numerous campsite options, both lake-side and tucked between the trees. The northern half of the trail, connecting to Coffee Pot Road, is fairly rough, with small ruts and exposed flat rocks the size of dinner plates. This section of trail travels past a small, remote alpine lake with a couple of campsites and will require a high clearance vehicle to access. The southern half of the trail, traveling directly next to Heart Lake and connecting to Blair Mountain, is a well-maintained dirt road with many campsite options ranging in size from large group sites to small single tent sites. The trail's southern half is suitable for any vehicle and camp setup, including passenger cars, large trailers, and RVs.

Beginning at the Ophir Creek Road and Gardner Road intersection, Greenhorn Mountain Road snakes its way southeast through the San Isabel National Forest. It is a well-maintained dirt road until the last half mile, where it becomes rougher with baseball size exposed rocks. There is an abundance of campsites, ranging from single-vehicle sites to sites large enough for an RV. As you travel from north to south, you are teased with views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountain. Upon reaching the end of the road at the Greenhorn Trail trailhead, you are finally rewarded with expansive views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Near the end of the road, two emerald-green lakes provide the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Although OHVs are not allowed on Greenhorn Mountain Road, there are four OHV-only trails that connect to the road with a parking lot large enough for multiple trailers.