5 Best Off-Road Trails in Colorado
If there’s one thing the state of Colorado is known for, it’s adventure. Whether you’re hiking up to Estes Park or biking along the beautiful scenery of Red Rock Canyon, the Centennial State has plenty to offer those looking for an adrenaline rush.
Road Trip Ready: Take a scenic cross-country drive in your Chevy
[wptab name= “Ophir Pass”]
Ophir Pass
Hours of Operation: 24 hours from June to November, unless closed due to snow
Location: 5.1 miles northwest of Anvil Mountain off U.S. Highway 550
Cost of Admission: Free
Types of Vehicles Allowed: All motorized vehicles
Located in the southwestern region of Colorado and considered a Jeep Badge of Honor trail, Ophir Pass is rated an easy to moderate difficulty trail and offers breathtaking scenery along the way. The trail is 10 miles long and connects U.S. Highway 550 to the mining town of Ophir. Although Ophir Pass is open to all motorized vehicles, many adventurers on TripAdvisor have warned to be extra careful while driving due to a few spots that require some technical maneuvering.
[/wptab]
[wptab name= “North Supply Creek Trail”]
North Supply Creek Trail
Hours of Operation: 24 hours, unless closed due to snow
Location: Grand County
Cost of Admission: Free
Types of Vehicles Allowed: All motorized vehicles, except snowmobiles and bicycles
This 11.1-mile trail is located just 15 miles northwest of Grand Lake and is rated a moderate difficulty with a rough and rocky terrain. The peak of North Supply Creek Trail is recommended for high-clearance 4WD SUVs because of how steep and narrow it is, but there are separate ATV and dirt bike trails in the area as well.
[/wptab]
[wptab name= “Red Elephant Hill”]
Red Elephant Hill
Hours of Operation: 24 hours from March to October, unless closed due to snow
Location: 40 miles west of Denver
Cost of Admission: Free
Types of Vehicles Allowed: All motorized vehicles; recommended for high-clearance SUVs
About 40 miles west of Denver, along the Empire Trail, is Red Elephant Hill. This off-road trail, rated a difficult endeavor, is an 11.9-mile loop that offers beautiful views from March to October. The trail is narrow and steep in some places, leading to an aggressive, rocky Empire Loop, so it’s best for drivers of high-clearance SUVs with some off-road trail experience.
[/wptab]
[wptab name= “Schubarth Trail”]
Schubarth Trail
Hours of Operation: 24 hours from March to October, unless closed due to snow
Location: 25 miles northwest of Colorado Springs
Cost of Admission: Free
Types of Vehicles Allowed: All motorized vehicles
Nestled between Pikes Peak and the U.S. Air Force Academy is the 13.8-mile Schubarth Trail. This is a great experience for new off-road drivers, as the trail is rated easy and offers water/mud crossings, rocky roads, and not much traffic. Set aside approximately two hours to complete this trail.
[/wptab]
[wptab name= “Corkscrew Gulch Pass”]
Corkscrew Gulch Pass
Hours of Operation: 24 hours from March to November, unless closed due to snow
Location: 9.6 miles north of Silverton
Cost of Admission: Free
Types of Vehicles Allowed: All motorized vehicles
Corkscrew Gulch Pass is a 4.8-mile trail located in the San Juan Mountains and offers off-roaders with a dirt road, minimal water crossings, and small rocks to traverse. This easy rated trail is recommended for 4WD vehicles but some drivers have completed the pass with 2WD under good conditions and adequate ground clearance. Corkscrew Gulch takes about two hours to complete and connects to Hurricane Pass, if you’re looking to continue on for the day.
[/wptab]
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Is Your Vehicle Prepared? Get the right accessories for off-roading
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