Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Carbondale, Colorado

Outie is a short single-track trail in the Crown Motorized Trail System that goes through sagebrush and small trees in a low alpine/high desert terrain. It goes through a mix of small trees and grassy meadows. It's mostly smooth and flat, with one easy section of rocks, a couple of dips in and out o...
Learn more about Outie

Buckhorn is a fun and easy single track that goes through a mix of sagebrush and scrub oak and small trees near Carbondale, Colorado. It traverses across the sides of a bunch of rolling hills, with lots of big snaking curves that go down the hillsides. It has lots of big wide switchbacks that are gr...
Learn more about Buckhorn

This is a 2.7-mile-long easy single track that is a fun and curvy trail through sagebrush and scrub oak. It's mostly flat, with only a couple of sections of small hills with loose rocks. It curves through trees and bushes and goes through a couple of sections where the trees are really tight like a ...
Learn more about North Porcupine Trail

This is a 1.3-mile-long easy single track that goes along the rim of a mountain the whole way. It's really smooth, with rocks pushed to the side of the trail. There isn't much exposure because it's on a wide shelf but sometimes gets close to the edge. It goes through a low alpine terrain of rolling ...
Learn more about South Porcupine Trail

Buckhorn Traverse starts at the east end of Buckhorn and is a similar trail with many wide switchbacks and fun curves on a series of rolling low alpine hills. There are more switchbacks than on the Buckhorn trail, which makes it slightly more difficult, but they are wide. A couple of them have loose...
Learn more about Buckhorn Traverse

The Crown offers sweeping views of the Elk Range, Basalt, and Carbondale. See incredible views of Mount Sopris and Capitol Peak. This trail is generally one car length wide, and can get steep at times, but doesn't get very technical. Be on the lookout for mountain bikers, grazing cattle, horses, and...
Learn more about The Crown: BLM Road #8320

BLM Road #8324 provides a lengthy adventure around the crown and can act as an extension loop to BLM Road 8230. From this trail, you will see great views of Mt. Sopris, the Elk Range, Carbondale, and Basalt. This road is lightly used, and is overgrown at some points - so watch out for pin striping. ...
Learn more about Over the Crown: BLM Road #8324

Dinkle Lake Road is an easy dirt road that provides spectacular views of Mt. Sopris and access to Dinkle Lakes, Thomas Lakes Trailhead, and the Mt. Sopris Trailhead. This trail is mostly tame, with a couple of small rocks to get up and over. There are picnic areas located at Dinkle Lake for day use....
Learn more about Dinkle Lake Road

BLM Road #8334 is not challenging in itself, but presents great views. There are many spurs with plenty of space for camping. Each spur leads to a great view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and towns. Wild flowers are in full bloom during the spring. The road that travels west along the ridge...
Learn more about Light Hill Road

This short single track is mostly a fun, fast, flowy connector from North Fork Cattle Creek Trail to Red Table Mountain Road. This trail is much easier than Lone Pine and North Fork Cattle Creek. It's pretty smooth with only a few roots and not many rocks. There are a couple of really small stream c...
Learn more about Milepost One Trail

This trail is very rocky and you will find soft red dirt on this trail that will become mud in wet conditions. There are multiple water puddles; some can be deep with no bypass. It is a fun trail with rewarding views at the end. After mile 10, you will find the trail gets a bit more difficult with a...
Learn more about Red Table Road

Capitol creek road is a moderate trail that offers access to many trailheads for hiking, including Capitol Creek trail and Hell Roaring Trail. As a result, this area can get heavily trafficked as backpackers, horses, hikers, and peak baggers use this road to access these areas. This trail will give ...
Learn more about Capitol Creek Road

This road is pretty simple with a few spots to pull over and get a good view of the red rocks.As far as difficulty it's pretty easy, a little bumpy but nothing a stock 4wd rig couldn't do.During rainy season the road will become more difficult as it can turn into mud, there is also a chance for down...
Learn more about Red Table North 464

Coffee Pot Road is an easy, well-graded gravel route that generally offers smooth travel until the last stretch. As you near the top, the surface becomes rougher with occasional washboard sections. The road includes several blind corners and switchbacks—driving with caution and awareness of oncoming...
Learn more about Coffee Pot Road

Although this is a relatively short out-and-back route, it offers an outstanding off-road experience and is well worth the drive. The main trail is not overly difficult, though several side routes branch off along the way and feature steeper climbs that may present a greater challenge. The route tra...
Learn more about BLM 8466

Buzzard Divide Road is a graded gravel road that provides easy access from CO-133 to the Grand Mesa and eventually to the town of Collbran. The road begins with a short easement through private land, and then winds through open meadows and aspen forests before reaching other accessible forest roads....
Learn more about Buzzard Divide Road - FS#265

Cat Walk is a short narrow single track that side hills across a mountain in the Hardscrabble Trail system south of Gypsum, Colorado. From the west end of the trail, it starts as a narrow dirt trail through sage brush, then turns into a shelfy trail on the side of the hills. There is a sharp corner ...
Learn more about Cat Walk

This route branches off the main Dotsero Crater Loop and winds through rolling foothills, providing exceptional views of the surrounding mountains and high-desert landscape. The trail is easy to navigate and suitable for most stock high-clearance vehicles, making it a worthwhile side trip for those ...
Learn more about BLM 8465

This route branches off the main Dotsero Crater Loop and climbs to a scenic overlook with expansive views of Interstate 70, the town of Gypsum, and the surrounding mesas and bluffs. Along the way, travelers are treated to a variety of viewpoints showcasing the rugged landscape that defines this part...
Learn more about Gypsum Overlook - BLM 8463

The Maze Trail is part of the Hardscrabble Trail System in Gypsum, Colorado, and is one of the closest trails to the staging area accessed off of Spring Creek Road. It starts winding in and out of the pinyon trees near the staging area, the first section being more like a practice loop in a play are...
Learn more about The Maze Trail

The Crown offers sweeping views of the Elk Range, Basalt, and Carbondale. See incredible views of Mount Sopris and Capitol Peak. This trail is generally one car length wide, and can get steep at times, but doesn't get very technical. Be on the lookout for mountain bikers, grazing cattle, horses, and...
Learn more about The Crown: BLM Road #8320

BLM Road #8324 provides a lengthy adventure around the crown and can act as an extension loop to BLM Road 8230. From this trail, you will see great views of Mt. Sopris, the Elk Range, Carbondale, and Basalt. This road is lightly used, and is overgrown at some points - so watch out for pin striping. ...
Learn more about Over the Crown: BLM Road #8324

BLM Road #8334 is not challenging in itself, but presents great views. There are many spurs with plenty of space for camping. Each spur leads to a great view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and towns. Wild flowers are in full bloom during the spring. The road that travels west along the ridge...
Learn more about Light Hill Road

This trail is very rocky and you will find soft red dirt on this trail that will become mud in wet conditions. There are multiple water puddles; some can be deep with no bypass. It is a fun trail with rewarding views at the end. After mile 10, you will find the trail gets a bit more difficult with a...
Learn more about Red Table Road

The Crown offers sweeping views of the Elk Range, Basalt, and Carbondale. See incredible views of Mount Sopris and Capitol Peak. This trail is generally one car length wide, and can get steep at times, but doesn't get very technical. Be on the lookout for mountain bikers, grazing cattle, horses, and...
Learn more about The Crown: BLM Road #8320

BLM Road #8324 provides a lengthy adventure around the crown and can act as an extension loop to BLM Road 8230. From this trail, you will see great views of Mt. Sopris, the Elk Range, Carbondale, and Basalt. This road is lightly used, and is overgrown at some points - so watch out for pin striping. ...
Learn more about Over the Crown: BLM Road #8324

BLM Road #8334 is not challenging in itself, but presents great views. There are many spurs with plenty of space for camping. Each spur leads to a great view of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and towns. Wild flowers are in full bloom during the spring. The road that travels west along the ridge...
Learn more about Light Hill Road

This trail is very rocky and you will find soft red dirt on this trail that will become mud in wet conditions. There are multiple water puddles; some can be deep with no bypass. It is a fun trail with rewarding views at the end. After mile 10, you will find the trail gets a bit more difficult with a...
Learn more about Red Table Road