Colorado Off-Road Trails

Upper McClellan Spur Road, branching off Leavenworth Creek Road, provides a thrilling and scenic journey for seasoned off-road enthusiasts. Perched above the timberline, this extreme off-camber trail showcases top-notch panoramas but demands skill with its extreme angle and bare terrain. Though camping is not an option due to the steep trail, a turnaround at the mine tailings is available. This intense and breathtaking trail is not for the faint of heart.

Elephant Skin Road travels through the heart of the Flat Top-Peach Valley OHV Area and connects to numerous ATV and single-track trails. It is entirely in an adobe landscape where clay and dirt make up most of the road. Given that, if wet and soggy, the road can quickly become impassable. The erosion from rain has left several ruts and washouts that you must slow down to drive across, and mud can form on the road from natural springs seeping out.

As you drive the trail, it meanders around adobe hills, each unique and individual. There are also views of the San Juan Mountains in the distance. The Elephant Skin Staging Area and Road are closed to vehicle camping to protect sensitive soil, scenic, and watershed values. 

High-clearance vehicles are recommended, and 4WD if it's wet. In soggy weather, it's best to avoid this area altogether.

Napoleon Pass is a high-altitude mountain crossing in the Sawatch Range of Gunnison County, Colorado, reaching 12,034 feet at its summit. Named after “Frenchy” A. Napoleon Perrault, a 19th-century saloon owner from nearby Tincup, the route was first developed in 1882 as a vital wagon road connecting the gold mines of Tincup with the railhead in Pitkin. Today, it endures as a rugged off-road trail (Forest Trail 540), offering a more technical and adventurous alternative to the nearby Cumberland Pass. Drivers will navigate rocky sections filled with basketball-sized boulders, narrow tree-lined stretches, and loose shale climbs, all while taking in sweeping, 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and Taylor Park Valley. Along the way, remnants of the region’s mining past, such as the historic Tincup Cemetery and the remarkably preserved Gold Cup Mine, add a vivid sense of history to this high-country journey.

Soap Creek Road (FS #721) starts as a maintained gravel road, but transitions to a rocky but easy out-and-back trail for any high-clearance 4x4. Once gates open (often by mid-May or June depending on conditions), the first 7 miles are maintained well enough for passenger vehicles and trailers. It follows Soap Creek most of the way, ending at a trailhead into the West Elk Wilderness.

Canyon walls give way to rolling hills as you climb. A few narrow, rocky sections keep things interesting without adding real difficulty. There are a few steep climbs and descents with loose gravel and rocks. During the wetter months, there could be slick mud and shallow water crossings. Plenty of pull-offs make it worth stopping just to take in the view.

Ample dispersed campsites, both big and small, line the creek along the entire route. There is a variety of wooded, overlook, and wide-open meadow campsites. Ponderosa Campground and Soap Creek Campground (Gunnison Ranger District) sit near the start if you'd rather have a designated site.

Bear Lake Road is an out-and-back trail that branches off from the north side of Turquoise Lake Road and provides access to the Bear Lake hiking trailhead and Uncle Bud's Hut, one of many 10th Mountain Division Association huts in these mountains. As you climb the mountain further into the forest, this trail takes you past a few destroyed gold and silver mines that helped put the nearby city of Leadville, CO, on the map. Overall, this trail is easy, but a few steep grades and loose rocks require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. While there aren't any good campsites on this trail, quite a few are scattered around nearby Turquoise Lake.

One of the more difficult trails in the area, Burn Road, should only be driven by a high clearance 4WD vehicle. When traveling from Little Froze Road, in the north, towards Deer Peak Road, in the south, the majority of the trail will be uphill. There are multiple large rocks the size of a beach ball that you will have to climb over, and if the trail is wet, front and rear lockers may be needed. All but the very south end of the trail is tucked in amongst the dense pines of the San Isabel National Forest. Upon intersecting Deer Peak Road, you are greeted with spectacular views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains to the west. There are not any campsites along Burn Road, but Deer Peak Road and Ophir Creek Road both have numerous designated campsites available. 

Wanna get away? Blue Mountain is a true hidden gem for camping and easy trails close to Colorado Springs. Unusual for Colorado, this area was not heavily mined during the gold and silver rushes. Instead, it was dominated by cattle ranching from the late 1800s through the middle of the 1900s. 3 Bears passes through the heart of a trail system that primarily provides access to some excellent, trailer-accessible, dispersed campsites open year-round.

This connector provides the only short cut between the Preston Road/Galena Gulch corridor and Prospect Hill and the western side of the Golden Horseshoe. It is part of the Golden Horseshoe trail system which covers over 8000 acres between the Swan River and French Gulch. The area has a rich history and is dotted with countless mines, mills, and cabins dating from the late 1870s through the 1950s. The Golden Horseshoe is crisscrossed with 4WD, ATV, single track, mountain bike, and foot trails. Keep a sharp eye out for other folks using this network and, as always, be considerate. Stay the trail, and pack out what you packed in.

Penrose Commons is a BLM OHV recreation area near Penrose, Colorado. The area is full of crisscrossing full-size and ATV trails of varying difficulty. BLM 6102E is a 1.2-mile long out-and-back trail through open meadows and juniper groves, leading to a couple of side spurs and the southern edge of the BLM land. The trail ends at a locked gate to private property, do not proceed past this gate. There is a very small turnaround area at the end. The moderate rating of this trail is due to rocky climbs and deep washed-out ruts. This trail is suitable for any 4x4 with good clearance.

Camping within Penrose Commons is limited to designated sites only, which are marked with camping signs. No campsites can be found along this trail. Vault toilets are located at the entrance to the OHV area.

Departing from Kendall Mountain, Deer Park heads south into the Weminuche Wilderness Area and towards the Montana Mine. Although the trail is not difficult, a low-range transfer case will help drivers navigate the steep inclines scattered with loose dirt and rock. Once at the end, a couple of hikes are available, though they are generally strenuous. No camping was found along the length of this trail, though Kendall Mountain did have a few options. If you are exploring the Kendall Mountain trail, then Deer Park would be a good addition for a bit more exploring away from the other more crowded trails in the San Juans.

Locke Mountain begins as a well-maintained forest service road in the south, but as soon as you cross onto San Isabel National Forest property, the trail immediately becomes rougher. The overall make up of Locke Mountain is smooth dirt and loose and embedded rocks. The loose rocks are about the size of baseballs, while the embedded rocks can be as large as a beachball; tire placement can be very important with a lower clearance vehicle. Higher clearance vehicles should not have any issues along this trail. Airing down would drastically improve ride comfort along this trail. At the south end of the trail when it makes its turn north, you are greeted with a notable hill climb over loose and embedded rocks. Upon reaching the top, you are rewarded with your first view of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. The trail then enters the dense pine and aspen forest of the San Isabel National Forest, and you remain here until you reach the north end of the trail. At this point, you enter a large grass meadow dotted with yellow wildflowers, which feels like a scene out of the Sound of Music. The views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains are some of the best in the area at this point of the trail. There are plenty of campsites along the trail. The largest site is near the south end of the trail which has enough room for multiple vehicles and multiple ground tents. This trail can be very busy with side by side traffic, so be mindful of oncoming traffic and quicker moving traffic from behind.

Just around 30 miles long, Buzzard Divide spans two National Forests and crosses the Buzzard-Muddy Divide. The road is historical, as it was once part of the famed 1776 Dominquez-Escalante expedition. In a few locations, signs mark where the expedition had set up camp.

The road can be driven in any direction. The northern half, starting near Collbran, lies in the Grand Mesa National Forest, where campsites are more plentiful. On the southern side, in the Gunnison National Forest, private property intermixes and limits camping opportunities, and the road terminates at Highway 133, where you can make your way to Marble and the famous Crystal Mill and other famous Colorado trails.

The fauna changes with the terrain: When lower in elevation, scrub oak is intermixed with open prairie views, and when higher, Aspen trees and pine take over. Overall, the route is mainly through a wide-open country, with sage and grassland supporting cattle grazing.

The route is suitable for any high-clearance vehicle.

Forest Service Trail 204 offers a rough and rocky ride that's as challenging as rewarding. Part of the China Wall Trail System loop with Box Road and China Wall Road, this trail is known for its rugged terrain that tests both driver and vehicle. Heading south, you get incredible views of Pike's Peak and the Tarryall Mountains, making the bumpy ride worthwhile. It's important to note that no camping is allowed along this trail, and all visitors must stay on the trail to protect the surrounding environment. Perfect for those who enjoy a good challenge, Forest Service Trail 204 completes the loop with a fun yet demanding adventure showcasing some of Colorado's best scenery.

Jenny Lind Gulch goes downhill to the northwest from Moon Gulch. The trail is shown as 413.1 on the MVUM, but signage at the trailhead shows 413.2. The trail descends gradually for the first half mile before making a sweeping turn to the north. The trail crosses a beautiful open hillside full of wildflowers before entering the forest to follow the gulch downhill for another mile and a half.

There are rocky sections and two very tight corners between trees. The second of these is the hardest because it includes a root and rock ledge about 12 inches tall. Jenny Lind Gulch ends just before a muddy bog, according to the MVUM. There are tracks across the bog, but you shouldn't follow them. Turn around and return the way you came. It is a good idea to bring a saw with you. Tree falls blocking the road are quite common.

There are no established campsites on this trail.

Tucked away within the expanses of Pike National Forest, Phantom Sale 1 Road serves as an engaging link between the popular Rule Ridge Road and Phantom Road. This trail offers a unique blend of mild off-road challenges, perfect for a quick journey through Colorado's mesmerizing wilderness. As you break through the curtain of lush trees, you're greeted by expansive vistas of the Hayman Burn area, a poignant testament to the power of nature. The panoramic view stretches far into the valley, offering an awe-inspiring perspective of the fire's scale and its transformative effects on the landscape. Phantom Sale 1 Road, while presenting subtle challenges, primarily offers an effortless journey through Teller County's trail system, inviting all levels of drivers to absorb its unforgettable scenes and engage in an immersive off-roading adventure.

Crystal Creek Road travels from Cedar Mountain Road to County Road 32, providing an alternate way in and out of the local trail network. The trail connects to multiple smaller trails that crisscross the area. The real gem on this trail is the water crossings and fantastic scenery in and out of the Hayman Burn scar. Dispersed camping is allowed in the area, and several established sites are along the way.