Colorado Off-Road Trails

Denarious Mine Road, winding around the imposing Ganley Mountain, provides an exhilarating off-roading journey that challenges the nerves and awakens the senses. Skirting the mountain's flanks, this thrilling shelf road challenges drivers with narrow paths that overlook stomach-churning drops of over 3000 feet. But, the sheer adrenaline is balanced by the inspiring grandeur of the surrounding Colorado landscape. From your lofty vantage point, panoramic vistas reveal deep valleys, towering peaks, and the vast, rugged beauty of Colorado's wilderness. With its intense thrill and awe-inspiring scenery, Denarious Mine Road is an experience that can ignite an undying passion for shelf roads and forever serve as a humbling encounter that reminds us how nature commands respect for the balance of its beauty and danger.

Ohio Creek is a dirt alternative to Highway 135 between Gunnison and Crested Butte. The entire road is 23.2 miles long, with only 11 unpaved miles. The dirt portion of this road is not difficult and suitable for most vehicles, but the northern 6.7 miles of the road are extremely rough with many potholes, small protruding rocks, and severe washboard. In addition, the road is only 1.5 vehicles wide or slightly less along the northernmost 2 miles. This narrow stretch of road makes it unsuitable for trailer and RV traffic, and exceptionally wide vehicles might find it difficult to pass oncoming traffic.

Ohio Creek provides spectacular views of Ohio Peak and the Anthracite Range, part of the West Elk Mountains. The road passes the Beaver Ponds and Swampy Pass hiking trailheads, offering one vault toilet. A small handful of dispersed campsites can be found along the northern half of the road, but no campgrounds or other amenities can be found. Large, mature aspen groves showcase amazing fall viewing opportunities and provide heavy shade in the warmer months.

Baxter Pass is a historic corridor that follows the Uintah Narrow Gauge Rail Line built between 1905 and 1906. The rail line was originally used to haul an additive substance known as Gilsonite. Gilsonite was used in asphalt, inks, paints, and oil-drilling fluids. The rail line existed until 1939 when trucks were utilized for hauling. What remains today is a long stretch of road and one remaining building, a machine shop. The road is comprised of hard-packed dirt, with rocky sections near the top of the pass. On the near south side of the pass, the road narrows to only one vehicle width wide, where caution will be required for any oncoming traffic. It can be traveled in either direction and takes you through six wide canyons. As you drive through the canyons, an oil and gas line is a visual cue for most of the trip. Suitable for any high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions. As the r ad weaves mostly through private property, there is no camping.

Climbing up its namesake gulch, the Arrastra Gulch offroad trail is a narrow shelf adventure with plenty to see. No significant obstacles block this trail, but its steep grade on a loose talus shelf warrants a confident driver and a vehicle with a low-range transfer case. Cable towers and carts sit above your head, giving a glimpse into the past of how they once transferred the minerals from clear up top in the gulch down into the valley.

With thrilling rocky climbs and high alpine views, High Park offers the perfect mix for the stock 4x4 crowd. More challenging than nearby Crooked Creek and Beaver Creek, but less harrowing than Wheeler Lake and much shorter than Mosquito Pass, High Park is the perfect middle ground.

The Turret Trail leads to the old ghost town of Turret, Colorado, and is the only road into, rather than around, Browns Canyon National Monument. The first few miles are a graded county road until you get to the Turret ghost town, which is privately owned and has interesting old buildings you can view from the road. Turning left on the main road through town brings you to the hiking trailhead for the Austin Trail, which goes to one of the main attractions in Browns Canyon National Monument called Railroad Gulch.

Past Turret, Forest Road 184 becomes a one-lane dirt track. Though the road remains easy, the terrain becomes more rugged as you enter Browns Canyon National Monument. The trail winds through a series of scenic hills and valleys with frequent views of towering rock formations nearby and the Collegiate Peaks in the distance. The road eventually dead-ends at a washed-out gully a few hundred yards short of where the endpoint is shown on the MVUM. Beyond that point, it turns into a scenic but seldom-used hiking trail entering the Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

Dispersed camping is allowed along this trail, and there is one notable campsite up a short spur with spectacular views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas Valley. Even though it's in a national monument, this road is very lightly used and unlikely to be crowded even on holiday weekends. Turret Trail is a true hidden gem in the Salida area.

Washington Gulch is an easy trail that lies just north of the mountain town of Crested Butte. This trail will take you through picturesque meadows of wildflowers and jaggedly mountainous backdrops the area is known for. This trail is a camper's paradise if you don't have a built rig, with 47 different designated campsites to choose from. Camping is restricted to designated sites only. AWD vehicles and vans will have no problem completing the entirety of this trail. This trail has a bit of private land along the way, including the abandoned mining ghost town of Elkton, so if you see any private property signs, please respect them and do not camp or intrude on this land. If you are a biker or hiker, check out the Snodgrass trail network at the beginning of this trail. The biggest downside to this trail is that it is highly accessible, which means the campsites fill up fast, especially in peak season. Plan accordingly if you plan on camping out here, as it is a very popular spot.

Saint Kevin Road connects Turquoise Lake Road to Bear Lake Road and requires a 4WD vehicle. The trail begins as a county road and then enters the San Isabel National Forest. The scenic drive takes you by large mines that are no longer in use. This trail gets narrow, steep, and rocky as it weaves into the forest and further up the mountain. There are a few campsites along this trail closer to the base of the mountain. Additionally, there are several developed campgrounds on the western end of nearby Turquoise Lake.

Lower Rule Creek Spur, tucked away in the vibrant wilderness near Divide, CO, is a compelling trail that promises an immersive off-roading experience. As a tranquil off-shoot of the scenic Rule Ridge Road, this trail retains the charm of its parent route while offering a more isolated alternative. It winds through vibrant aspen groves and dense pine forests, creating an oasis of natural beauty untouched by past wildfires nearby. Despite its serene atmosphere, Lower Rule Creek Spur is not devoid of adventure. Mild rocky patches and inclines challenge drivers just enough to add a sprinkle of excitement to the journey. Ideal for drivers of all skill levels, this trail offers a captivating fusion of tranquil wilderness, stunning landscapes, and offroad fun.

The Boss Reservoir Trail is a short route off the east side of Monarch Pass. The route will take you two miles into the forest from Highway 50 to the reservoir's banks. Fishing access is convenient, as the trail ends right at the lake. The road surface is mostly dirt with some rocky sections. A stock high-clearance 4x4 can complete the trail. Passing is difficult along the middle of the route so be sure to watch for wide places in case you need to pass another vehicle.

East Willow Creek is part of the historic mining district north of downtown Creede and begins at the junction of West and East Willow Creeks, a bustling intersection during the booming mining days. Most of the route is an easy, hardpacked dirt road passing a few dilapidated mining structures and old rail lines that made up the cliffside infrastructure. The road is two vehicles wide most of the way. It follows along East Willow Creek through thick brush that could potentially scratch paint at times, depending on your vehicle's width, but there are plenty of opportunities to pass oncoming traffic. Once reaching the intersection with 502.1A, the Phoenix Park Trailhead, the trail becomes slightly more narrow to around 1.5 vehicles wide, turns east uphill, and slowly climbs a rutty steep grade, making several switchbacks. This section between 502.1A and 503 is the most challenging part of the trail but can easily be traversed by any stock vehicle with good ground clearance and low gearing.

There are two dispersed campsites along the trail west of Phoenix Park. Both are relatively small but level and suitable for vehicle, tent, or hammock camping.

Gould Creek Road is a dead-end trail that offers a tranquil escape from the bustling activity of Gold Camp Road. This mild-to-moderate trail is a hidden gem with its serene setting and classic Colorado scenery. The path leads adventurers into quiet, picturesque environments, perfect for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience.

Along the trail, there are excellent camping opportunities, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the area's natural beauty. Gould Creek Road is an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy a less crowded slice of Colorado's wilderness, with the comforts of great camping spots and stunning scenery.

Located in the White River National Forest, Nolan Creek is an easy off-road trail that offers great camping opportunities, with some excellent forest scenery, abundant serenity, and endless miles of hiking opportunities. This road passes by the historic town of Fulford, which is known as the least populated town in Colorado. This town once housed as many as 600 people in the early 1900s, but by 2010, it only had 2 full-time residents. Explore the surrounding wilderness, and maybe you will just so happen to find the lost mining treasures that so many men have sought to find over the years.

In the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area within Pike National Forest, EOS Mill Road is a lesser-known gem offering a serene drive-through of towering Colorado evergreens. This all-season trail owes its name to a historic sawmill that's been part of the local fabric since the early 1930s. As part of a diverse 25-square-mile network featuring multi-use trails and abundant camping opportunities, EOS Mill Road is a convenient connector to the renowned Colorado Trail (FS 1776). With an additional 50 miles of hiking and biking trails in the immediate vicinity, this trail serves as a tranquil gateway to many outdoor activities. It's an inviting route for those seeking both natural beauty and a touch of local history.

The Champion Mine trail is a continuation of the Halfmoon Gulch trail that takes users to a high vantage point overlooking the Champion Mill. The trail is far more challenging than its counterpart. It climbs sharply up an exposed, single-lane, rutty trail with several passing opportunities. Users will encounter a series of small rock obstacles while ascending to the saddle between Mount Champion and French Mountain. These obstacles could be difficult for stock SUVs, and skid plates are highly recommended for stock vehicles as they are nearly guaranteed to scrape the underbelly more than once during the trek. The official trail ends here in the saddle, before circling the backside of Mount Champion. Although a well-worn route continues up the mountain to the old Champion mine site, this is a private parcel and not open for public use.

It is not uncommon for lingering snow to keep this trail impassable well into the summer months. Snow blocks the trail at inconvenient locations, making it difficult to turn around. Users are encouraged to scout the trail for snow before attempting and reminded to always stay on the trail and not attempt to drive around snow drifts.

Since most of this trail is on steep slopes above the timberline, suitable camping is practically non-existent, but plenty of campsites can be found lower down along the Halfmoon Gulch trail.