Colorado Off-Road Trails

Spring Creek is a maintained forest service road that takes you up through the wild and scenic Gunnison Basin and provides a plethora of recreation opportunities such as camping, hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking, boating, and fishing. Passenger cars and vans will enjoy this trail as it is well-maintained and easily accessible no matter what you drive. This trail has an abundance of dispersed camping opportunities off its spurs as well as several campgrounds, such as Spring Creek Campground at the trailhead and Mosca Campground, about halfway through the trail on the shores of the Spring Creek Reservoir. Both campgrounds are no reservation, first-come/first-serve and charge a nightly fee. You can expect weekends in the prime season to be busy, so plan accordingly.

Lake County Road 6A is a nice, remote connecting road that follows Iowa Gulch to the Julia Fiske Mine. The forest is thick throughout the entire route, but there are a number of good Aspen viewing spots along the road.

Climbing 17 miles into the White River National Forest, Coulter Mesa begins just north of Rifle Falls State Park and follows East Rifle Creek through a narrow canyon within Rifle Mountain Park. In this lower section, the road is also named Little Box Canyon Road, winding beneath towering limestone walls that have made the park one of the premier sport climbing destinations in North America. Visitors from around the globe come here for the rock climbing, with more than 250 bolted routes and campsites tucked along the creek. Stopping in the park requires a fee, but there is no charge for driving straight through to the National Forest. Once through the park and up into the pines, the route opens into free camping, sprawling views, and a more remote backcountry feel. Inside the National Forest, the trail is not maintained, with ruts, tight switchbacks, and long dirt climbs. Coulter Mesa is ideal for stock high-clearance 4x4s equipped with durable tires.

Ensign Gulch Road, situated just outside Monument, Colorado, invites offroad enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the tranquil setting of Pike National Forest. This trail offers an enjoyable ride over varied terrain, with rutted and washed areas providing opportunities to challenge your vehicle's articulation and tire placement skills. Open throughout the year. Ensign Gulch Road brings a different adventure each season: the crisp winter months transform it into a thrilling icy trail requiring winching skills, while summer offers a peaceful drive amongst verdant evergreens and aspens. This trail's appeal lies in its beauty and the test it poses to driver and vehicle alike, ensuring a memorable off-roading experience.

Lookout Road offers a spectacular and often scenic drive as it winds its way up the slopes of Badger Mountain. While it doesn't reach the summit, the road ascends above 10,000 feet, providing breathtaking views of the South Park Valley and the distant mountain ranges. On clear days, the vistas are particularly spectacular, with expansive views that stretch across the Colorado landscape. This road is a favorite for those seeking a high-altitude experience in this area, and it has exceptional panoramic views, making it a must-visit for photographers and nature lovers alike.

Located just above the historic Camp Hale in the White River National Forest, Pearl Creek is a fantastic place to pitch camp whether you are spending the week or just the weekend in the area exploring all of the nearby trails. The road offers plenty of dispersed camping options whether you are in a ground tent or a 5th wheel camper. This off-road trail follows the Pearl Creek drainage across an easy 4.3 miles to an access point for the Jackal Hut, one of the many 10th Mountain Division Huts in the area. This is a dead-end road not widely used, so you are offered great seclusion from the crowds on other nearby routes. The trail also rewards you with spectacular views of the mountain peaks to the west, including Holy Cross Ridge and Mount of the Holy Cross.

Deep in Pike National Forest, Grouse Road offers a versatile off-roading experience through Colorado's wilderness as the trail winds through dense forests and open meadows. Along the way, it presents engaging challenges with steep inclines and rutted patches. However, the true highlight is the awe-inspiring views of the landscape, with the top of Pikes Peak peaking out majestically on the horizon. With its serene escape and thrilling adventure blend, Grouse Road is a testament to Colorado's adventurous spirit and natural beauty, making it a must-visit for off-roading enthusiasts.

Swan Road, FSR 339.1, is a lesser-known out-and-back trail in Northern Colorado within striking distance of Fort Collins. It offers offroad enthusiasts year-round access through its western gate. Not many people are aware of this area, and the gates can make it seem private, but it is not. Please close any gates after passing through them. This trail features several sections of loose and undulating terrain, providing enough challenge for a stock, high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle or a novice driver. Numerous camping opportunities can be found along this trail, overlooking the surrounding peaks, such as Grey Rock, and offering views of the Poudre River to the south.

At the midway point of the trail, you will intersect briefly with road 339.0, which is a private property access road on both ends of its terminus. Please drive this section of the trail respectfully.

Keyser Ridge offers panoramic views as you gain elevation and travel along the trail. There are a few campsites along the trail, with the biggest perk being the access to multiple recreational trails along its length. The panoramic views would be especially rewarding when the aspen leaves are changing colors. The abundance of trail spurs and recreational trails can keep you busy for a whole weekend outing.

Beaver Reservoir Road is an easy, well-maintained, graded dirt road that offers access to the private Beaver Reservoir, the southern terminus of Coney Creek Road, and other area trails and dispersed camping. The views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Beaver Reservoir are quite nice for how easy the drive is. Just past the small parking area where the road connects to Coney Creek Road, the road is marked as a private road with signage for no trespassing.

Please note that there are several sections of private property along Beaver Reservoir Road, including the privately owned Beaver Reservoir, so make sure if you are camping or recreating in the area that you are respecting any signage and doing so legally.

Camway Trail is a fantastic option for logging more miles while exploring the Stillwater Pass Trail There are many campsites along the trail that would accommodate multiple vehicles. While you are driving on NFSR 190.1, be sure to look to the south and east for breathtaking views of Trail Mountain, Apiatart Mountain and Lake Granby,