Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Garfield, Colorado

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Billings Lake

This is a very bumpy and rocky road, so those with stock vehicles should be cautioned. You will stay mostly in the trees until the North Fork Reservoir. The final stretch of road is only…
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Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Pride of the West Tunnel

This has to be the best mine portal ever! Fantastic granite stonework with a capstone inscribed "Pride of the West 1880". A two-story hotel was beside the tunnel when it was in operation.Follow the North…
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Total Miles
11.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Monarch Pass

Not all trails need to be difficult Jeep trails! This is a pleasant drive over a historic pass, through a large park and a bunch of forests, and into the town of Pitkin.Old Monarch Pass…
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Total Miles
50.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Mt. Shavano

The first half of this route follows CR 250 through BLM Land with great views of the Arkansas River Valley to the south. The road forks midway through as it enters Forest Service Land; stay…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Alpine Tunnel

The Alpine Tunnel was once the highest railroad tunnel in the world. At an altitude of 11,523 feet, it was the first tunnel to be built through the Continental Divide. The Denver, South Park and…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Chalk Rd (Co Rd 292)

This is an easy side road that connects Alpine, CO and St. Elmo, CO. It is drivable by most vehicles except cars with minimal ground clearance. As with most trails in this area, it is…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hecla Junction - Arkansas River Headwaters

Co Rd 194 is a graded road maintained May - September that ends at the Arkansas River with a beautiful campground and river takeout spot. Fee required for camping. Makes for a wonderful daytime swim…
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Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Slaughter House Gulch

This is a fun trail along the edge of Union Park before climbing through the trees. It passes an old mining cabin that is known as the Christmas Cabin. It is decorated with Christmas decorations…
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Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Slaughterhouse Gulch

This is a fun trail along the edge of Union Park before climbing through the trees. It passes an old mining cabin that is known as the Christmas Cabin. It is decorated with Christmas decorations…
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Total Miles
10.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Tin Cup Lily Pond

This is a very, short trail to a small, picturesque, serene lily pond. It has beautiful white and yellow lilies. The Tin Cup Lily Pond has a gorgeous backdrop of mountains including Cumberland Pass. It…
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Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Tin Cup Lily Pond Loop

The Tin Cup Lily Pond Loop Trail continues past the picturesque Tin Cup Lily Pond and winds through the forest until it reaches the edge of Willow Creek. It leaves Willow Creek and circles back…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Red Buck Mine

This is a short, easy trail to see the ruins of the Red Buck Mine. It was part of the Columbine Mining Complex. There is a descriptive placard of the complex on the first cabin.…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Rock N' Roll 1 (1434 A)

Closed to vehicles over 50" wide. This 2-mile track has a fun variety of just about everything - from dirt to sand to rock. There are one or two pretty technical spots that could be…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Cameron Creek

Nice start, as the trail is sandy rolling hills that are lots of fun. Great views of Union Park. The right turn along Cameron Creek begins as rocky and then becomes more difficult. The trail…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Fourmile Area

Very fun area for ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. The northwest corner is a spider web of roads that are great for exploring. There are options for beautiful dispersed campsites with incredible views of the…
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Total Miles
23.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

CR 304

This trail begins at the Collegiate Peaks Recreation site. This area has picnic pavilions and restrooms. Along the trail, there are several other trailheads for hiking and mountain biking trails. This is a maintained road…
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Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bald Mountain Gulch 2

Section 2 of the Bald Mountain Gulch trail in the Four Mile OHV recreation area. This 3 mile section leads you past Little Cottonwood Creek and Arnold Gulch where ATV/dirt bike only trails are. Predominantly…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Arnold Gulch

This trail is nearly 2 miles in length and is comprised entirely of loose, sandy washes with very bumpy washboards. It connects the two Triad Ridge trails to the primary road. The west end of…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Union Park

This trail is easy and relaxing the entire way. The trail starts at the Taylor Park Trading Post. Proceed over the metal bridge to the south, or in a vehicle, take the paved road, head…
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Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Triad Ridge East (ATV)

This trail is only open to vehicles 50" or less. This mild and quick mile and a half-mile route offers beautiful views of the surrounding area and neighboring mountain range. Nothing is challenging to note…
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Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Black Dumps

This is a scenic and varied Jeep trail close to Buena Vista. Coal was once mined in the area, and that is what gives the trail its strange name.The track winds its way through open…
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Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

BLM 376

This trail is accessible off of BLM 375 "Four Mile Creek", BLM 311 and Lenhardy Cutoff. Approximately 2 miles in length, this trail starts out on the west end as easily accessible by most 4WD…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Badger Creek

An easy and fairly scenic Jeep trail.Badger Creek has nothing above timberline, but is a nice drive along Sand Gulch, with lots of open views along the north segment that follows the powerline. You cross…
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Total Miles
23.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Texas Creek Woodsy Loop Trail

This trail is a nice alternative to doing an up-and-back on the rocky Texas Creek Trail. This woodsy trail winds through the forest north of Texas Creek. There are some spots to pull off to…
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Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Bald Mountain Gulch 3

This 1.8 mile section either ends or begins at a smaller parking lot (staging area). Dirt and sandy washes predominantly with a couple of short, steep grades to get up/down. There are sections where water…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Countryside Tour

A very easy tour taking you through the non-alpine area southeast of Buena Vista. This is a good chance to see what the backcountry looks like east of the Collegiate Range. You will pass through…
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Total Miles
111.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Pie Plant

The road is graded for the first few miles. There are some nice camping sites along the road as you leave the Taylor Park River area and enter the trees. Driving is easy, although it…
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Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Onemile

Onemile is a fairly short Jeep trail near Almont. (not actually one mile) It winds through a few areas of trees and many areas of open sagebrush with great views of the surrounding mountains and…
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Total Miles
20.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Carnero

You will enjoy this road with its amazing views, and access to other roads. There are a few spots that look like they would be good for camping. The road can be muddy when wet,…
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Total Miles
16
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Clear Creek

Sitting just to the north of the Collegiate Wilderness, this trail offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy great views and see well preserved mining camps. There are plenty of dispersed camping along Clear Creek. There…
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Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa