Colorado Off-Road Trails

This trail is an easy and accessible drive, suitable for 2WD vehicles. The path is straightforward, with no difficult sections. You'll find wildflowers along the way, and the trail connects to a separate, moderate-rated road.

The trail has three camping spots. There is one large campsite about 0.3 miles in, another large one at the end of the trail, and a smaller, more secluded spot in the middle. All the campsites are quiet and near the water, so you can hear the creek while you're there.

Marksbury Road West is a gentle, rolling trail that is a crucial connector within the trail system, linking Puma Road to No Hurry Road, which leads northward. This short spur facilitates seamless navigation between trails and offers scenic views in various directions, enhancing the journey. While it does not support camping, its strategic role and picturesque surroundings make it a valuable route for explorers looking to efficiently traverse the area and enjoy the natural beauty along the way.

This is a super-short, rollercoaster-like connecting trail with a very large and sometimes intimidating dirt hill. The large hill goes up and over a large rock formation, and when you drop down the steep descent on the other side of the hill, there is a beautiful meadow with a creek that you will cross on your way to Grouse Road.

As you wind along scenic Highway 141 in Western Colorado, the towering sandstone cliffs act as an impenetrable barrier to the mysteries above. Atkinson Creek is a short gravel road cutting into the cliffs, leading to two sizeable free camping pull-off areas within a colorful canyon. If you or a small group are traveling along the highway or the Rimrocker overland route, there are a couple of spots where several vehicles can set up right along the trail. The road is passable for passenger cars until the end of the marked track, beyond which the trail becomes more difficult.

Within the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Trail 4111 is a short and easy 2-mile shortcut-type trail between Lower Two Mile and Paradox Road. An interesting fact about the trail is that its western trailhead begins at the Utah and Colorado Stateline. The trail can be completed in 2WD with durable tires and high ground clearance in dry conditions. It is a mix of sandy dirt and small rocks with a couple of switchback turns in the dense pines. The forest is thick along the entire route, and no camping was found. You can find epic abundant camping at the northern end of Paradox Road at Buckeye Reservoir.

Safe Again Road is a scenic connector within the bustling trail network adjacent to the popular Gulch Trails Hackett and Longwater. This short spur, characterized by a mild dirt climb, offers a tranquil passage through an area marked by the remnants of the Hayman Fire, with fallen trees lining the route. While the environment doesn't lend itself well to camping due to the extensive tree-fell, the road provides a picturesque drive, perfect for those looking to navigate the network efficiently. Users will find Safe Again Road a practical route and a serene journey adorned with the regenerative beauty of nature.

Box Canyon Road is an easy, well-maintained, out-and-back road that connects to several other roads in the area. It is primarily used to access primitive campsites and a large network of hiking trails located above the town of Mancos. The end of the trail offers a very large, open area for camping, suitable for big groups or several individuals. Four-wheel drive is not required; the entire route can be completed by high clearance 2WD vehicles in dry conditions.

Located near Tennessee Pass, northwest of Leadville, Colorado, Wurts Ditch is an easy graded road that connects Highway 24 to the Wurts Ditch Trailhead, following a small portion of the historic transmountain water diversion trench. It is a short road popular for winter recreation. In the summer months, the road is used to access additional dispersed camping spur roads and other more challenging 4-wheel-drive roads. Camping along Wurts Ditch is limited to a few roadside pullouts and a large open area at the western end, where you can find sites suitable for any camp setup. This road is suitable for any passenger vehicle.

The Wurts Ditch was built in 1929 by Warren Wurtz. The ditch captures water from tributaries of the Eagle River on the Western Slope and carries it across the Continental Divide into Tennessee Creek, part of the Arkansas River Basin, to support agriculture, municipal use, and growth on the drier Eastern Slope. Pueblo Water purchased the ditch in 1938 and extended it in 1953.

This scenic camping spur off Mill Road offers a serene getaway with designated camping spots nestled along its route. Each site is thoughtfully placed to maximize privacy and scenic views, making it an ideal choice for campers seeking solitude and natural beauty. Perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, this camping spur provides a peaceful retreat surrounded by picturesque landscapes, where campers can relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Dinosaur Road is a short camping spur off Peach Valley Road that climbs to a ridgeline vehicle camping area on the edge of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. The road begins through dried mud hills with moderately deep crosscutting erosion ruts before climbing sharply toward the ridge. As the road gains elevation, the surface becomes rougher and rockier, with sharp, frying-pan-to-softball-sized rocks keeping the pace slow and the ride consistently rough. A high-clearance 4x4 with rugged off-road tires and low range is recommended. The end of the road offers two good-sized campsites with spectacular views down into the Gunnison Gorge and west toward Olathe.

Bobcat Road is a short access road connecting Peach Valley to the Bobcat hiking trailhead on the edge of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area. The road is commonly used by hikers accessing the wilderness and the Bobcat hiking camps located down in the gorge. The road surface is mostly hard-packed dirt, with a few sections of exposed sandstone that create a slower, bumpier drive. The hiking trailhead parking area is large enough for several vehicles and includes picnic tables, shade shelters, and a restroom. At the hiking trailhead, Bobcat Road connects with Red Rocks Nighthorse Trail South, a much more difficult road.

Bobcat Road is best suited for high-clearance vehicles. The best camping opportunities are found near the lower end of the road in the Peach Valley area, where large, level dispersed sites are available. Two small pullouts along the road may also work for compact camping setups, such as a high-clearance van or rooftop tent.

6040A is an out-and-back spur off of BLM Road 6040 in the northwest section of the Texas Creek OHV Area. It features grass and forested hills, with rocky outcroppings to explore on foot. 6040A has two good campsites; one atop a hill at roughly the midway point of the route, and one at the end of the route. The lower section of 6040A has some scrub oak and therefore the potential for pinstriping. This route gives you panoramic views of the Sangre de Christo mountain range to the south/southwest.

Norwood Cutoff A & B (259.A / 259.B) forms a remote half-loop along the southeastern edge of the Boggy Draw trail system, offering a quieter alternative to the area's more heavily traveled forest roads. Winding through dense stands of Ponderosa pine and passing several small reservoirs, the road is most popular with hunters and explorers seeking a more secluded corner of the San Juan National Forest. Wildlife sightings are common, and while you won't get sweeping vista views, the appeal of this trail lies in its peaceful forest setting and sense of backcountry isolation.

The trail is rated moderate due to its narrow, single-lane character, frequent erosion ruts, and scattered protruding rocks up to softball size. Deep ruts ranging from 6 to 10 inches are common in places, and muddy sections can develop quickly after rain or snowmelt. When wet, the clay-rich surface becomes extremely slick, like peanut butter, and may be impassable. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, though the minor obstacles are generally manageable for drivers with basic off-road experience. Vegetation often crowds the trail corridor, creating a very high potential for pinstriping, particularly on the tighter sections of the loop along the southern end.

Dispersed camping opportunities are plentiful throughout the route, with the highest concentration of established sites found along the northern leg of the loop. Many camps are tucked beneath mature pines or situated near open meadows, making them attractive base camps for hunting, wildlife viewing, or simply enjoying a quiet night in the forest. Typically open from May through November, Norwood Cutoff A & B is best suited for travelers seeking solitude, primitive camping, and a more rugged forest experience away from the area's main travel corridors.

BLM 713G is a short out-and-back BLM trail near Grand Junction, Colorado, sitting just outside the main corridors of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. It branches off Black Upper Ridge Road and quickly drops about 250 feet down a canyon wall, trading traffic for solitude and wide-open desert scenery as you descend.

This trail is a quick, scenic option for getting a little rock under your tires without committing to a long day. The payoff is in the views, especially looking south toward the Palisade Wilderness, plus a fun, short climb when you head back out. The trail ends at a gate, a short distance before the end of the BLM boundary. There are a few open areas suitable for camping, but the terrain is a bit rocky and uneven; thus, the best type of camp setup would be a vehicle-mounted tent.

This is a short, straight-through connector road between Wave Road and Eagle Road. It is a simple, easy road of primarily hard-packed soil, with one hill at the southern end that is lightly sprinkled with golf ball and baseball-sized rocks. It is primarily used to bypass and avoid the narrow and off-camber shelf road section of Eagle Road. Along the northern half, there are several large, flat, open areas ideal for boondocking setups.

Boggy Draw E (527.E) is a straightforward forest road that cuts through the heart of the Boggy Draw trail system, providing access to dispersed campsites, hunting areas, and a network of connecting roads within the San Juan National Forest. Surrounded by mature Ponderosa pine forest, the route is less about dramatic scenery and more about easy access to quiet backcountry camping and exploration. The trail passes through a mix of open forest meadows and shaded timber.

Under dry conditions, Boggy Draw E is an easy drive suitable for most high-clearance vehicles and drivers of any experience level. The surface is primarily hard-packed dirt, but conditions can change dramatically after rain or during spring snowmelt. Several low-lying sections are prone to holding water and developing deep mud, while erosion ruts up to 8 to 10 inches deep can require careful tire placement. When wet, the trail's difficulty increases to moderate, and four-wheel drive may be necessary to navigate muddy stretches safely. Vegetation generally stays back from the roadway, keeping pinstriping potential low.

Dispersed camping is one of the trail's biggest draws, with campsites found throughout its length and some of the easiest-to-access sites concentrated near the northern end. These camps range from small forest clearings to larger openings suitable for groups, making the route a popular choice for hunters, weekend campers, and travelers looking for a quiet base camp within the Boggy Draw trail system. Typically open from May through November, Boggy Draw E is best enjoyed during dry weather when its simple forest-road character makes for a relaxed day of exploration in Colorado's high-country pine forests.

Duncan Road is shaped roughly like a sideways H, with a southern branch, northern branch, and a short connector between the two. The road is primarily used to access the Duncan Trailhead on the edge of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, where hikers can descend into the gorge and reach non-motorized camping areas. The trailhead sits at the eastern end of the northern branch and includes a restroom with enough parking for roughly 5 to 7 vehicles. Most drivers enter from Peach Valley Road on the southern branch, use the middle connector to reach the northern branch, and continue to the trailhead. The southern branch is easy, with minor protruding rock, and is suitable for vehicles with decent ground clearance. It dead-ends at a small, sloped campsite near the Sidewinder singletrack trail. The northern branch, also marked as Duncan Spur, is a lightly used two-track that returns to Peach Valley Road. It is rougher than the southern branch, with more frequent small rocks and crossing cutting erosion ruts, but it remains suitable for any vehicle with good ground clearance.

Forest Road 929 is a short, dead-end spur that meanders east from Rampart Range Road, with a trail surface similar to other trails in the area. There are a few washouts and mildly deep ruts that could put you a bit off-camber if you choose. The trail is lined with dispersed campsites and ultimately ends 0.91 miles in at a large turnaround. There isn't much to see except dense pine forest with sporadic Aspens dotted in, but if you're in a large group looking for a secluded lunch spot, the turnaround can accommodate several full-size vehicles.

Dolores Norwood C is a 2.6-mile-long straight-through trail connecting Delores Norwood Road to Boggy Draw Road. The trail is one vehicle wide, with plenty of passing opportunities, and a sharp elevation change at the northwestern end. The trail surface is loose, rough, and bumpy, with protruding baseball and grapefruit-sized rocks, and it crosses multiple steeply pitched hills. Any high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle will handle the trail with ease during dry conditions. During wet periods, the trail can be slick and impassable.

Camping is limited to one dispersed site on the southern end, near the intersection with Boggy Draw Road. The campsite is slightly off the road, fairly large and level, and suitable for a small group.

Bean Canyon is a straight-through road that cuts through the center of the Boggy Draw trail system, linking Delores Norwood Road to Boggy Draw Road. It travels along a scenic, low-lying drainage through a mixed aspen and pine forest, offering open meadow views and spacious, dispersed campsites. The road surface is primarily hard-packed dirt, small protruding rocks, shallow potholes, and sporadic mud holes. Rocks and mudholes generally remain below 10 inches tall. This trail is considered a low-end moderate and is not suitable for low-clearance vehicles. It will require a high clearance vehicle with good ground clearance, where 4WD will be rarely used in dry conditions.

Dispersed camping is most dense at either end of the trail and becomes sparser the farther you travel into the trail. Between Lower Boggy and House Creek B, there are open meadow areas, but no previously established campsites.

Ute Road is a popular dead-end access road off Peach Valley Road that leads to the Ute hiking trailhead on the edge of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. The road begins alongside a cattle ranch and climbs steadily toward the ridge, where hikers can access the trail descending into the gorge and reach non-motorized camping areas. The Ute Trailhead has plenty of room to park more than a dozen vehicles and includes a restroom, shade shelters, and picnic tables.

Most of the road is easy and fast-paced, traveling over hard-packed dirt with small golf ball to baseball-sized rocks sporadically scattered across the surface. Near the top of the ridge, one chunky slickrock section slows the pace and is best handled with low gearing. Outside of this 5-yard, rough section, the road remains manageable for most vehicles with decent ground clearance.

Along the road are three good-sized campsites with great views back toward Olathe. The sites have plenty of level ground and are suitable for most types of camp setups, including tents, vehicle camping, and small groups.

BLM 1062, also known as Missouri Creek Road, Connects County Road 109 and West Creek Road, which will bring you out to Hwy 139. It offers a mix of easy, graded trail and more challenging off-camber washout crossings. This trail runs along the southwestern border of the Oil Spring Mountain Wilderness Study Area, so camping is limited, and shade is scarce. The southeastern section is rutted from rain and snowmelt, requiring careful tire placement. Overall, this trail is more challenging than the graded, smooth dirt roads in this area, but it remains suitable for most stock 4x4s.

FS188 is a narrow, rarely traveled road that travels through multiple eras of the Colorado timber industry. Starting from the east side with a steep climb, you reach the top and are treated to a meandering, deep-forest road that, in many places, is tight. Watch out for the trees along the road because one minor miscalculation could spell disaster for your fenders! The trail has many climbs, and as you go, you can see evidence of the area's former tie cutting industry. There are multiple abandoned homesteads (one area may be an old logging camp/town), abandoned equipment lying about, and a couple of small mines dotted around the area. The trail is a through trail that ends at a wide intersection that can accommodate a couple of vehicles. Nothing that should require 4WD, but a scenic and peaceful area. No camp sites were seen along the road.

Located within the San Isabel National Forest, just southwest of Nathrop, Browns Creek Road is a nearly 7-mile-long camping and hiking access road that travels along the eastern base of Mount Antero, Mount White, and Jones Peak. Camping is abundant along the entire length of the road, with sites generally large enough to accommodate any group size or any camp setup, including travel trailers, RVs, rooftop tents, ground tents, or hammocks. The first 3.5 miles are a well-maintained, two-lane, gravel road to the Browns Creek and Wagon Loop hiking trailheads. After the large parking area, the terrain gets a bit rougher, with small protruding rocks and shallow potholes dotting the road surface. The road remains suitable for any vehicle until the 4.3-mile mark, or the North Threemile Spur intersection. At this point, you will find a massive, level camping area where large trailers and RVS are advised to turn around. Beyond this intersection, the road narrows to a single lane, and large, low-hanging tree branches will prevent taller vehicles from continuing. Another large camping meadow can be found at the final intersection with East Fourmile Road, before the road finally dead-ends a short distance later at a small campsite next to Fourmile Creek.