Colorado Off-Road Trails

Hidden Lakes is an out-and-back trail directly off of Buffalo Pass. It mostly travels through open meadows and clear-cut areas. The road surface is relatively well-maintained and suitable for high-clearance vehicles when the road is dry. At the far end, the trail opens up just enough to provide a less-than-stellar view of Rabbit Ears Peak. The road's name would suggest many lakes to see, but there are not. Two lakes can be seen by taking the side trails, and one of those is the Hidden Lakes Campground, with a few sites on the water. There are several dispersed camping areas south of the campground, of which a few are large enough for fifth-wheels.

Easily traveling up into Grand Mesa National Forest, FR 125 is a quick way to access camping, renowned fishing, and numerous 4x4 trails atop the world's largest flat-top mesa. The road can be completed in 2WD high clearance vehicles in dry conditions. The route is often used by trucks towing campers. The trail can be narrow with numerous blind turns. Please use caution. From the south, the trail begins at the forest service boundary marker and info board. At that point, there is one pull-off campsite with room for two vehicles with tents. Beyond that point are numerous large campsites for groups or individuals with RV's. The area is popular for "boondocking" or parking for the season. Finding a site on the trail or even on the side trails in the immediate area may be challenging on weekends.

House Canyon is a bumpy dirt road leading back to Regal Lake. The trail starts as maintained since it serves as the driveway to Wilderness Ranch. The trail crosses onto private property and continues briefly before a gate marks the return to Forest Service land. Please be respectful when on private land! Once through the gate, the trail becomes tight with young aspens. The pines burned down from wildfire. Rocky patches and pinstriping are common until you reach the lake, with multiple camping opportunities along the shoreline.

Bruno Gulch is a short camping spur alongside Upper Geneva just off Guanella Pass. It offers designated camping sites set amidst the mountain peaks. This tranquil spot is ideal for campers seeking a serene escape surrounded by nature's grandeur. With easy access to nearby trails and scenic views of the encompassing mountains, Bruno Gulch Road provides a perfect base for those looking to enjoy a peaceful outdoor experience.

Located in the vicinity of the Tarryall Mountains, Observatory Rock Road presents an alternative Colorado trail experience. This modest dirt road navigates the high-altitude mountain prairies, creating an immersive journey amidst peaks just a stone's throw away from the road. This lofty setting ensures panoramic views, making every twist and turn a visual treat. While it may be a more straightforward trail than its neighbor, the famed China Wall Road, Observatory Rock Road, is an intriguing route worth exploring for those traversing the Badger Mountain Trail Network, adding diversity and scenic vistas to any offroad adventure.

Adobe Peak is a moderate trail consisting of hard-packed dirt and both loose and embedded rocks. The majority of the trail is through the dense pine and aspen forest of the San Isabel National Forest, with a few expansive views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. There are no obstacles to note, but there are a handful of climbs and descents over loose baseball-sized rocks. Airing down and having a higher clearance vehicle will definitely make the ride more comfortable. There are about a half dozen campsites along the trail. They are all spaced out and provide plenty of privacy. The spur in the track depicted here has one good campsite and requires 4WD and high clearance to reach it.

Rocky Gulch Road, also known as the road to the Buffalo Boy Tram House, is a dead-end, winding, narrow, rocky spur road off of Stony Pass that takes travelers to an area of incredibly rich mining history along Galena Mountain, just outside Silverton. This road passes the remnants of the Gary Owen Mine, Old Hundred Mine, and the Buffalo Boy Mine. Near the trail's end, travelers will see the 1930 tram house and suspension cables that were once used to take ore down the mountain to the Niegoldstown area mill.

This trail isn’t for the faint of heart, but confident drivers with high-clearance 4WD rigs will find it rewarding. The road begins with narrow shelf sections carved into the mountainside, flanked by steep drop-offs and loose rock that demand attention and a steady hand. It quickly climbs in elevation through a series of switchbacks, offering stunning alpine views as the terrain becomes increasingly rough. There are long stretches with blind turns and no suitable passing areas. Keep an eye out for pullouts when driving in both directions.

Though not especially long, the trail’s combination of exposure, steep sections, and rocky shale terrain makes it a solid intermediate challenge. Stock 4x4s with good tires and low-range gearing can complete the trail with careful driving, but vehicles with some lift will be more comfortable. Avoid during or after storms, as the trail can become hazardous quickly.

Offroaders seeking a scenic adventure should explore this Pike National Forest trail near Elevenmile Reservoir and Thirtynine-Mile Mountain. The easy trail offers stunning views of the Sawatch Mountain Range to the west, including the famous Mt. Elbert. With towering peaks and rocky terrain, this must-visit destination provides a unique and unforgettable experience for anyone seeking a mildly adventurous offroad experience.

Sawmill Canyon is a maintained 4-mile offshoot from the east side of Stony Pass. There are no obstacles along the trail which is wide enough to pass throughout. This trail ends at a hiking trailhead, as well as FR533.1V, Lost Lakes Road, a public road that dead-ends at private property. There are campsites in multiple locations along the trail, from smaller sites tucked away to more prominent sites that can accommodate RVs and trailers.

19-1/2 Road is a rugged and remote route crossing southern Colorado's once-abundant uranium mining region. Also called Uranium Road or Outlaw Mesa, the trail was once a county road but has now deteriorated into a nice 4x4 trail wide enough for all full-size 4x4 overland vehicles. The trail has steep dirt grades that require four-wheel drive for added traction in the washouts and deep ruts. The trail is bumpy and slow going at higher elevations, with loose rocks on the surface. Camping was limited and only found at the higher elevations in the big trees. You can find several campsites with room for large overland groups. During winter, an old gate higher in elevation within the National Forest appears to be in use, and the lower elevations are not maintained from Oct. 15 to June 1. Navigation note: the southern trailhead is marked as 14 Road for a short distance and turns into 19-1/2 Road.

Driving on Lost Road in Colorado is like stepping into a grand panoramic painting. This trail offers a relatively easy off-roading adventure, suitable for various skill levels, traversing a sparse yet captivating forested landscape. As you venture further, the trail presents a spectacle like no other - breathtaking views of a dramatic canyon and the expansive Hayman Burn area, a stark reminder of nature's fury and strength. The trail, set against the backdrop of the vast open sky, culminates in a mesmerizing view as it emerges from the sparse tree line. This unique blend of off-roading excitement and natural beauty makes Lost Road a must-visit for every off-road explorer seeking to experience Colorado's remarkable landscapes.

Deadhorse is a dead-end spur road off Coffee Pot Road, along the Flattops in White River National Forest. The road is a rough and rocky, lightly used two-track, cutting through the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar. Consistently smooth granite rocks the size of softballs and footballs, barely poking through the soil surface, create the trail's roughness. When not traveling through burnt trees, Deadhorse offers fantastic views across Glennwood Canyon, all the way to Mount Sopris and the Elk Mountains Range. Dense ground vegetation, including Aspen saplings, squeeze tight against the trail's edge, making it nearly impossible to avoid pinstriping your paint. The trail ends abruptly at a small turnaround, only large enough for a few vehicles.

This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle. 4WD is not necessary. Airing down is highly recommended to make for a smoother ride.

Dispersed camping is allowed along the entire route, with plenty of open, level areas. However, no previously used campsites were observed, most likely due to regrowth that has occurred since the fire.

Texas-Cottonwood connects Texas Creek with the paved Cottonwood Pass. The trail gets a moderate rating due to the crossing of Texas Creek, where the water can be swift and high. Be mindful of crossing early in the season or during significant rain events. Scattered along the trail, several campsites are large enough for a couple of vehicles.

Hudson Ditch is an extremely scenic, short, 1-mile dead-end spur trail off Medano Pass that skirts the eastern boundary of the Grand Sand Dunes National Preserve. The trail is a rocky, steep, prolonged climb traveling through thick aspen forest. Exposed and loose rocks up to baseball and softball size will be encountered the entire length of the trail, necessitating the need for high clearance and low-range 4WD. The trail offers around a dozen dispersed campsites, most of which offer incredible views and vary in size from suitable for a single vehicle to several vehicles.

You come to Wylie Gulch Road at about the halfway point of Gardner Road. Once on Wylie Gulch Road, you are greeted by half a dozen large campsites with established fire rings. All of the campsites are large enough for multiple vehicles. Past the campsites, the trail climbs into the rolling hills of the San Isabel National Forest. Wylie Gulch Road offers dense pine forests and rolling meadows providing views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Due to basketball size rocks scattered along the trail, a high clearance 4WD vehicle is a must. 

Trout Creek is an excellent, easy "get-away" that offers summer wildflowers, excellent fall colors, and wide views of peaceful, pastoral Park County. On the way to Trout Creek, users will experience huge meadows and great views of the mountains to the north and west, including Mount Silver Heels. Along with its sister trail, Crooked Creek, these trails offer some of the best primitive campsites in the area and are also a favorite among hunters.

Chimney Rock is named after the towering rock formation in the middle of the trail. The best views of the formation come if you drive the trail from south to north. However, it can be driven in any direction and is suitable for any high-clearance vehicle. It follows the Continental Divide Trail; you will typically see thru-hikers in summer. The trail has several aspen groves to drive through and would be an excellent leaf-peeping trail. It has a handful of pre-disturbed campsites scattered throughout the National Forest-managed area. The southern third of the route is less wooded and follows through state trust land, and camping is prohibited. It is common to see moose in the area, and it's best never to approach them.