Colorado Off-Road Trails

On a remote edge in the arid expanse of the McInnis National Conservation Area, B South Road provides an easy passage through the enchanting desert landscapes. This mild dirt road stands out for the distinctive sandstone canyon walls rising dramatically 400 to 500 feet at certain spots, demonstrating the region's geological might. Enveloped in the refreshing aroma of dense sagebrush, the route unveils captivating views of the nearby mountains and canyons at every turn. B South Road may have a limited number of nearby trails, but it certainly holds its own with its unique scenery and effortless drive.

Meandering at the foot of Farnum Peak and its namesake Schoolmarm Mountain, Schoolmarm Mountain Road is a tranquil, undulating offroad experience. Rocky terrains that demand careful navigation are compensated by striking panoramas and abundant camping opportunities with its plentiful minor spur roads. Whether setting up camp for the weekend or seeking a shaded respite on summer trails, Schoolmarm Mountain Road adds a unique and rewarding dimension to any expedition within the Badger Mountain Trail Network.

The Cutoff is the newest trail edition to the Bangs Canyon Management Area, located in Grand Junction Colorado. This extreme trail should only be attempted by the most modified of vehicles. At just over 300 yards long, this trail could leave your vehicle in pieces sitting on a trailer on it's way back to town. Colossal boulders will test the limits of your driving ability, and uncover any mechanical weakness your vehicle might have. Do not attempt this trail alone, and be prepared for body damage. The Cutoff trail was opened just a few years ago by the Grand Mesa Jeep Club, in partnership with the BLM.

37"+ Tires, a winch, dual lockers, and rollover protection are highly recommended for this trail.

Situated within the Pike National Forest, Beryllium Road is a key connector trail within the Badger Flats Trail Network that offers more than just functionality. This trail is rich in picturesque scenery and provides excellent camping opportunities, particularly towards the western end. Beryllium Road is a bustling thoroughfare for both small and large off-highway vehicles and serves as a gateway to 10 different connecting trails. Despite its utilitarian role, the semi-maintained trail and diverse surroundings make Beryllium Road an engaging and vital part of the offroad journey in this area.

Quickly climbing up the rim of Grand Mesa National Forest, Lands End Road is a scenic zigzag up to breathtaking views from the old observatory site. The views on the climb are unobstructed by trees. You can see for miles as you crisscross the hillside. The trail is a well-maintained gravel road with numerous switchback turns that can be completed in 2WD. The washboard corrugation on the climb can be pretty rough. Airing down tire pressure and 4x4 helps reduce the effects. Seeming out of place, there is a long section of pavement after the summit and observatory. The trail returns to gravel as you travel further east.

Camping on the climb is limited to a couple of small single sites. Once up on Grand Mesa, camping can only be found along the side trails, not immediately along this route. The best camping is found deeper into the National Forest, east along Trail 121.

Although sharing its name with a more famous trail near Colorado Springs, Eagle Rock Road, located an hour northwest, promises a gentler offroad experience. With its undulating two-track layout, this serene trail skirts the petite summits of Eagle Rock Mountain and Baker Mountain. The mountains and rocky outcrops punctuate the landscape with captivating vistas for photography enthusiasts. Set off the main trail just north of Puma Road, Eagle Rock Road is perfect for an easygoing afternoon drive, sparing your vehicle's suspension and back. Linking with the myriad trails in this region, it invites a full day of exploration through these historical mining routes.

Meadow Divide meanders through the foothills of the San Isabel National Forest. When starting from the west, you’re greeted with expansive views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west. The trail dips in and out of Aspen groves and open meadows. The majority of the track is a rough dirt road with a few rocky sections that could be troublesome for 2WD or low-clearance vehicles, depending on the weather. When traveling eastbound, a spur road at about the 2.6-mile mark has an established fire ring with a campsite large enough for multiple rigs. MVUM states the trail is open from 05/01 - 12/01.

Die Tryin' is a notorious rock crawling trail in Montrose, Colorado that consists of constant technical rock crawling through large boulder fields and severe obstacles. It's rated a 9 out of 10 for the area trail system.

Alpine Plateau connects US50 on the north to Alpine on the south. Traveling from north to south starts through a beautiful residential area with open fields and hardwoods spaced well from the road. It then passes the Arrowhead Lodge, which offers full-service lodging and dining. As you gain elevation, the road becomes less residential and more wooded as you enter public land and the Darrell Duncan Memorial Forest. As you enter this section, look closely for a sign that reads: "Planted in May 1969. This Lodgepole Pine forest is in memory of a Montrose Colorado Boy Scout killed on an outing near Grand Junction. Boy Scout Troop No. 472 and The United Methodist Fellowship planted 12,000 seedlings purchased with memorial funds."

Once the road levels near the plateau, majestic views of the San Juans and Uncomppahgre Peak are in view. Numerous dispersed camping opportunities and a few side roads are also available.

As you begin to descend, the forest becomes sparse due to disease, fire, or wind, offering continued views of the famous San Juans. It finally meets Alpine, where you can turn west to a beautiful valley or return east towards the pavement.

The southern 7 miles of this road are closed during the spring months.

Figure 9 Road is a moderate offroad trail nestled amidst verdant forests and open grasslands within the vast Badger Flats Trail Network. This trail balances fun and challenge, allowing 4x4 enthusiasts to test their skills without the high technical demands of nearby trails like the China Wall. It's an ideal choice for a leisurely day off-roading, blending the thrill of the drive with the landscape's natural beauty, making Figure 9 Road a worthy start to any outing in the area.

Black Mountain Road takes you west from Gardner Road and weaves you through the piñon pines of the San Isabel National Forest. The trail is fairly easy and unassuming during drier weather, but based on the deep dried-up ruts, this trail could get pretty muddy after heavy rain. Although the majority of the trail is well maintained, do not let your guard down, there are about a dozen blind curves to navigate with no way to tell if there is oncoming traffic until they are right in front of you. When you exit the gate from the national forest land, the trail becomes more rugged. As you climb, you navigate large beach ball size boulders embedded in the ground. A stock high clearance 4x4 will not have any issues. Something shorter, like a Subaru, may struggle or scrape.

Once you get to the top of the ridge line of Black Mountain, the views are incredible in almost every direction. Camping is limited on the trail, with only one campsite large enough for one to two vehicles if parked in tandem. 

Beginning at the scenic Vega State Park near the small town of Collbran, Park Creek is the northern portion of a beautiful, challenging route across a remote portion of the Grand Mesa National Forest. Combining this trail with Leon Lake, 127, makes for a challenging all-day 4x4 adventure. Traveling south from the state park, the trail is easy for the first 1.2 miles. After that, the trail is muddy year-round. Numerous creeks and natural springs bubble out of the ground and flow into Park Creek, which runs parallel to the trail. All this runoff creates a challenging and slippery journey across the meadows, requiring aggressive mud terrain tires, high ground clearance, and self-recovery equipment (a winch).

The endless water crossings, creeks, and remote lakes are a true highlight of this region of Colorado. Camping is limited to only a few spots. Early in the route, a massive open area exists for a sizeable overland group. A small campsite sits at the junction with Monument Creek, and another beautiful site at the junction with Leon Lake, 127.

Berry Creek traverses a couple of ridge lines north of Edwards, Colorado, connecting Power Road to June Creek. At one time, it accessed the Dead Buck Reservoir, which no longer exists. The west end of Berry Creek begins as a dirt road and quickly switches to two-track. There are no obstacles, and the trail can be driven in 2-wheel-drive. There are very few trees, so the views of the Beaver Creek ski resort to the south are pretty epic.

Westcreek Road in Colorado is a scenic route that winds through picturesque meadows and runs alongside the serene West Creek. It connects Painted Rocks Road to Rule Ridge Road and What Road trails. Although camping is not permitted on the county road, nearby trails offer ample opportunities for camping.

Horse Mountain Road travels through the Hell's Pocket BLM range to the Castle Peak Wilderness. Along the way, it offers excellent views of the mountains to the southeast, a dazzling wild-flower meadow, a few large campsites, and finally accesses Blue Lake and Welsh Reservoir 4WD trails.

This short trail connects Fern Creek and Missouri Gulch. It's a rutted drive-through forest with some deep cuts into the roadway that don't present much of a challenge but can make this trail narrow in spots. Dispersed camping is allowed in this area, but no established sites were seen along the way, and it may be too narrow to be a good area to camp.