Rimrocker

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4.6/5 (65 reviews)
Montrose, Colorado (Montrose County)
Last Updated: 06/13/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Camping Category Icon Camping
Desert Category Icon Desert
Forest Category Icon Forest
Ghost Town Category Icon Ghost Town
Iconic Category Icon Iconic
Mine Category Icon Mine
Mud Category Icon Mud
Overland Category Icon Overland
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
Water Category Icon Water
The Rimrocker Trail is a route of connected trails that allows you to enjoy 160 miles of off-pavement travel while experiencing the many different stunning landscapes that connect Montrose, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The trail is an especially vibrant destination to travel through the aspens during their fall color changes as well as stopping for the fantastic views at the overlooks. Towards the west end of the trail, the Manti-La Sal National Forest provides beautiful scenery and wildlife as well as gorgeous views of the La Sal Mountains. As you approach Moab, the landscape quickly turns from forest into desert as it transitions to some shelf roads built of the signature Moab red sand. Rimrocker travels through some historic areas of Colorado, highlighting the areas that reflect the mining days of the early 20th century. One area, in particular, is the old, abandoned company town of Uravan. Uravan is a contraction of Uranium and Vanadium. The town was a company town established by U. S. Vanadium Corporation in 1936 to extract the rich vanadium ore in the region. As a byproduct of vanadium extraction, small amounts of uranium were also produced. You will notice a green hue to many of the rocks as you travel through this region. The green hue is an indication of the presence of uranium ore. This trail is an overlander's dream trail offering multi-day camping opportunities, scenic vistas, impressive flora/fauna (absolutely massive swaths of Aspen stands), and a multitude of ever-changing biomes and landscapes. This trail is definitely one to take your time on, soak up the glorious sights and sounds, and make some new incredible memories. Whether you are brand new to overlanding or a seasoned wheeler, this trail has something for everybody. Don't forget the camera!

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

The Rimrocker Trail is a 160-mile trail that is an organization of mostly US Forest Service and BLM roads to form an off-pavement route that connects Montrose, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The road travels through high mountain forests, rocky, mining environments, and high desert terrain. The route can be divided up into four distinct parts as you progress through this classic off-road adventure. Montrose, CO to Nucla, CO (Waypoints 1-21) The first 59 miles proceeds through the Uncompahgre National Forest. Between Montrose and Nucla, CO, the roads that you travel are graded dirt and gravel roads, two-vehicles wide, that would be suitable for most vehicles. Rain and snow could make the roads slick or impassable at times. Along this segment, there are countless trail spurs on each side of the road. Logging trucks are active in this area so be alert for the trucks and machinery on the trail. The terrain is a forest with a variety of trees and many options for dispersed camping. During the fall season, the Uncompahgre National Forest is a popular hunting destination. Nucla, CO to Manti-La Sal Forest (Waypoints 21-52) Approaching Nucla, Colorado, you will move from dirt to pavement as you pass through the town and then revert back to dirt just west of the town. Nucla, CO will be the only spot along this entire trail when you will be able to pick up supplies and fuel. Directly west of Nucla, you will travel on rougher dirt roads where higher vehicle clearance and 4wd would be recommended. These trails are mostly single vehicle width but there is almost always an area to easily pull over for faster-moving traffic behind you or oncoming vehicles. This is desert terrain, with a history of uranium mining, and you will find very few shade trees but many open ranges and cattle sharing the trail. About halfway between Nucla and the Manti-La Sal National Forest, you will come to the water crossing at Tabeguache Creek. Depending on the season, this crossing is 12-24" deep and the water is moving swiftly. The trail continues to be rocky until the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Manti-La Sal Forest to La Sal Pass Road (Waypoints 52-58) In the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the road is well-graded and only has gravel, small rocks, and some ruts and potholes after rain. This section is suitable for most vehicles. This section of the trail is just east of the La Sal peaks and is among the most beautiful parts of the entire route. Most of the camping in this area is relegated to designated camping spots only. Without prior planning, finding a camping spot hear (near Buckeye Reservoir) will be difficult as the area is popular and easily accessed. La Sal Pass Road to Moab (Waypoints 58 to 74) Much of this final push into Moab is bumpy and slow, especially between Waypoints 59 and 63. When you turn west from the La Sal Pass Road (Waypoint 59), the trail becomes a rough and rocky two-track. There are areas to pull over for oncoming traffic. The trees and shrubs are close-in on the trail and will brush along one or both sides of your vehicle. Some pinstriping is likely. There are tight corners, climbs, and descents and larger rocks along the trail to navigate through. A higher clearance vehicle is necessary here. As you get closer to the Moab and turn onto Black Ridge Trail (Waypoint 63), the trail will become less bumpy dirt and gravel suitable for most vehicles. The trail eventually becomes pavement as you enter the south edge of Moab, UT. Additional information about the Rim Rocker can be found on the official website Rimrocker.org.

Trail Reviews

4.6/5 (65)
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Visited: 09/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Started in Moab, to get the slow rocky section out of the way, camped at MM59 my first night. In the morning headed east was a nice smooth fireroad and making some good time. I only put my truck in 4wd for 20' of the whole trail, which I probably could have backed up and went up a different line in 2wd. It is a cool adventure trail and you should check it out, but don't expect rock crawling.. I think it would be possible in a 2wd/AWD SUV/crossover type vehicle.. Maybe not in rain or snow, though.
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Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/26/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I started in Montrose Monday morning around 10am and made it Buckeye Reservoir in plenty of time to set up camp in daylight. This trail will go down on my list as an all-time favorite, though not one I'll frequent on the whole due to its length. After seeing how various access roads (Two Mile) allow easy on/off the trail I can see jumping on different sections for shorter excursions. On the whole the trail is relatively easy, with only a few sections requiring really paying attention - namely descending to 141. It was pretty steep and rocky, but 4-low wins the day and it's not difficult. There was no water in the main Tabeguache crossing(s), but there was a deep mud hole towards near Buckeye. With two trees on either side, the only option was to power through it. A stock vehicle may have had trouble. My dog struggled with the jostling along Paradox Canyon Rim, but wasn't deterred. The structure at "Epic Campsite" is still there, with on one around. It's clear someone is living there. There were a lot of hunters this time of year, but posed no threat or problems. Many dispersed camp sites were full on hunt camps but there was still more than ample camping along the way. Rimrocker is epic - overlander/off-roader should experience it. I'm glad I had the opportunity. TrailsOffroad app worked flawlessly in off-line/GPS mode guiding me at every turn in the trail Thanks guys & gals!
Trail Review: Rimrocker - John Crane (JeepPoet)
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200
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Visited: 09/04/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran most of the trail starting at Divide road and leaving at dark canyon road. The epic camp site at waypoint 47 appeared to have a structure built on it recently looks like someone may be living there and trying to hide it.
Trail Review: Rimrocker - ross
Trail Review: Rimrocker - ross
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Official Crew
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2600
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Rated 3/5
Visited: 07/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We ran it east to west, not much traffic, pretty hot during the day and nice and warm in the evening. No major obstacle, spent the majority of the time in 2WD. Sadly all the water crossing were dried up. Overall a decent trail but nothing amazing. It took us 2 full days to complete this, not sure I will ran this again.
Trail Review: Rimrocker - Carlo Donzelli
Trail Review: Rimrocker - Carlo Donzelli
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1800
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Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/24/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We did Moab to Montrose. It was a good drive. .25 miles before (If coming from MOAB, after if coming from Montrose) waypoint 25 has been destroyed by the flooding this spring creating the MOAB side of the river, needing a little better rig than normal and spots. Would not recommend it without after markers lift and a knowledgeable sporter. The culvert was destroyed leaving a 5-foot wide gap in the road 3 feet deep. It has been filled in with wood and stuff but is still not stable. There is an easy bypass if needed. At the Moab River crossing, our buddy with a stock taco got high-centered and had to be pulled out but overall a fun and worth a more relaxing drive after a week in Sand Flats.

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