Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Downieville-Lawson-Dumont, Colorado

Among the old mining trails stretching from Idaho Springs to Silver Plume, Bard Creek Road offers an enchanting journey through the region's history. As you traverse its bumpy climb, you'll uncover vestiges of Colorado's vibrant past, most notably, the Bard Creek Mine with its remarkably intact ore ...
Learn more about Bard Creek Road

Virginia Canyon Road is a simple dirt road with scenic views and lots of leftover mining equipment. While the road is generally plenty wide, there are occasionally times when you will share the road with mining company trucks hauling large vehicles and taking up space. This may require some maneuver...
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A short drive from the town of Empire and just down the road from the popular Bill Moore Lake Trail, Mad Creek is a great off-road trail that gets passed up by many off-roaders. Whether seeking quiet summer seclusion or deep tire-swallowing winter snow, don't let this trail fall off your radar. Alon...
Learn more about Mad Creek Road

Two Brothers Road is a simple dirt road with scenic views, lots of leftover mining equipment as well as sealed mine shafts littering the road, and, depending on the time of year, wash-boarding so bad your fillings will rattle out. At the north end of the road, concrete briefly interrupts the dirt be...
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Apex Road is a scenic, graded gravel road that runs from south to north through Colorado's historic mining country. The southern portion is smoother and well-maintained, suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. As you continue north, particularly after turning onto Elk Park Road, the trail beco...
Learn more about Apex Road

Nevadaville Loop is a graded, wide gravel road that offers a flowy and easy drive through Colorado's historic mining country. The route is washboarded in places but remains free of obstacles, making it suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. Along the way, you'll pass through the residential a...
Learn more about Nevadaville Loop

This trail is an offshoot from Apex Road. If you want something slightly more technically challenging than Apex, this is a fun alternative to explore. The trail is fairly tight. 4WD is required in a couple of steep sections with loose rock. Some of the trail runs through private property, but there ...
Learn more about N Clear Creek Road

This is an easy, one-way trail with a few places to pass and some rocky and washed-out sections. You'll find a handful of dispersed campsites and great views of Idaho Springs. The end of the trail is a gate leading to private property, and there is plenty of room to turn around.
Learn more about Santa Fe Trail

This trail begins off Highway 119 and just south of the start of the Pickle Gulch trail. The majority of this trail consists of a dirt road, with some single-lane sections winding through private property. Pay attention to and respect private property signage. You'll see many ruins of old mining act...
Learn more about Missouri Gulch Road - CR 15S/15N

The Michigan Hill trail starts from the Pickle Gulch Campground. This trail is a relatively easy trail for most off-road vehicles, although there are some narrow points on the trail. This trail winds through mining country. There are lots of mines in this area, and the usual holes and tailings piles...
Learn more about Michigan Hill

This trail is easily accessed off of Squaw Pass Road. As the name hints, the trail takes you takes you to Squaw Mountain fire lookout which is about a 1-mile hike from the end of this trail. The trail consists of a 1-mile dirt road that is relatively maintained. It is passable by most passenger vehi...
Learn more about Squaw Mountain Lookout

This trail can accessed from either the Squaw Mountain Lookout trail or the Old Squaw Pass East Trail. The trail is blocked in the middle by a gated section of private property which prevents you from accessing the full trail at one time. The trail consists of dirt and rock road that is easily acce...
Learn more about Old Squaw Pass Central

This trail begins off of Squaw Pass Road. At the trailhead, you will see a sign for "Historic Arapaho Springs". This is an easier trail in dry conditions, accessible by stock 4WD vehicles and higher clearance 2WD. In wet or snowy conditions, 4WD is recommended. The trails are comprised of dirt and r...
Learn more about Old Squaw Pass East

Little Bear Creek Road (FS 151) provides an excellent scenic alternative to paved routes when traveling between the CO-103 corridor and Idaho Springs. This 6.2-mile well-maintained dirt road offers stunning mountain views while remaining accessible to any vehicle - despite intimidating warning signs...
Learn more about Little Bear Creek Road - FS 151

Rollins Pass East is a rugged, historic trail that follows a former railroad route over the Continental Divide, offering a challenging drive with significant elevation gain. The road is characterized by its rocky surface, potholes, and a steady, bumpy climb, making it suitable for high-clearance veh...
Learn more about Rollins Pass East

This route begins just north of Mary Jane Road off of Highway 40. It follows the Fraser River diversion canal with access to numerous hiking trails and dispersed campsites along the way. There are great views of Winter Park Ski Resort as well. The route terminates with the Rollins Pass West trail, w...
Learn more about Waterboard Rd - FS 128

This trail is mainly used to get to Torrey's Peak and Gray's Peak trailheads. Most of it is dirt with small rocks, and could be done in a small car, but as you get further up, it begins to get rough. A few deep ruts would require at least some clearance or very skilled driving by smaller vehicles,...
Learn more about Stevens Gulch

A fun, out and back trail with a great campsite a few hundred feet up the trail, and an abandoned mining site just past that. The trail is fairly narrow. 4WD wasn't required, but definitely helpful on the loose rock and dirt. The trail culminates at the border with private property and a closed gate...
Learn more about Buckeye Mountain Road 512.1

Jones Pass is a gravel and rocky mountain road that climbs steeply out of the Clear Creek drainage near Empire, Colorado. The route is generally wide with no major obstacles, though its steady grade and exposed shelf road sections require attentive driving. Along the way, travelers will find dispers...
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Kids will love this small area with intersecting forest roads and camping. To camp, enter at the north end. No dirt bikes allowed on this trail. Open May 15 to November 30.
Learn more about West Magnolia

Among the old mining trails stretching from Idaho Springs to Silver Plume, Bard Creek Road offers an enchanting journey through the region's history. As you traverse its bumpy climb, you'll uncover vestiges of Colorado's vibrant past, most notably, the Bard Creek Mine with its remarkably intact ore ...
Learn more about Bard Creek Road

A short drive from the town of Empire and just down the road from the popular Bill Moore Lake Trail, Mad Creek is a great off-road trail that gets passed up by many off-roaders. Whether seeking quiet summer seclusion or deep tire-swallowing winter snow, don't let this trail fall off your radar. Alon...
Learn more about Mad Creek Road

Apex Road is a scenic, graded gravel road that runs from south to north through Colorado's historic mining country. The southern portion is smoother and well-maintained, suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. As you continue north, particularly after turning onto Elk Park Road, the trail beco...
Learn more about Apex Road

This is an easy, one-way trail with a few places to pass and some rocky and washed-out sections. You'll find a handful of dispersed campsites and great views of Idaho Springs. The end of the trail is a gate leading to private property, and there is plenty of room to turn around.
Learn more about Santa Fe Trail

Among the old mining trails stretching from Idaho Springs to Silver Plume, Bard Creek Road offers an enchanting journey through the region's history. As you traverse its bumpy climb, you'll uncover vestiges of Colorado's vibrant past, most notably, the Bard Creek Mine with its remarkably intact ore ...
Learn more about Bard Creek Road

A short drive from the town of Empire and just down the road from the popular Bill Moore Lake Trail, Mad Creek is a great off-road trail that gets passed up by many off-roaders. Whether seeking quiet summer seclusion or deep tire-swallowing winter snow, don't let this trail fall off your radar. Alon...
Learn more about Mad Creek Road

Apex Road is a scenic, graded gravel road that runs from south to north through Colorado's historic mining country. The southern portion is smoother and well-maintained, suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. As you continue north, particularly after turning onto Elk Park Road, the trail beco...
Learn more about Apex Road

The Michigan Hill trail starts from the Pickle Gulch Campground. This trail is a relatively easy trail for most off-road vehicles, although there are some narrow points on the trail. This trail winds through mining country. There are lots of mines in this area, and the usual holes and tailings piles...
Learn more about Michigan Hill