Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Gypsum, Colorado

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...
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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 ...
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Easy Rider is a short single track in the Hardscrabble Mountain trail system near Gypsum, Colorado. From the northeast end of the trail, it starts on BLM Route 8384D, which is a dirt road through an open clearing. The beginning is on smooth dirt with lots of whoops, through sagebrush with wide open ...
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Beginning off BLM Road 8473, this two-track route winds through a scenic pinyon-juniper high-desert ecosystem, with portions of the trail enclosed by dense vegetation that create a tunnel-like driving experience. Several dispersed campsites are located along the route and near its turnaround point, ...
Learn more about BLM 8473A

The Fast Times trail is a short trail in the Hardscrabble trail system near Gypsum, Colorado. It starts as a fast and straight trail, then intersects with the south end of the Star Wars trail, then goes into the trees in windier curvy terrain like the Maze trail. The trail goes between tight pinyon ...
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Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this connector route links back to the northern segment of the same trail system, providing a shortcut that eliminates the need to pass through the section of Trail Gulch Road listed as private. While the trail is generally easy and sees less traffic than many nearby ...
Learn more about BLM 8474

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

Star Wars is a wash trail in the Hardscrabble Trail system near Gypsum, Colorado. It is aptly named Star Wars since riding at the bottom of a curvy wash resembles the feeling of flying fast through a scene in Star Wars. The wash is at the bottom of a ravine surrounded by tall dirt walls with quick,...
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Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this scenic BLM loop is an enjoyable and varied backcountry drive. The trail starts in open sagebrush country before gradually climbing into a classic pinyon-juniper woodland, where expansive views and several dispersed camping opportunities can be found along the rou...
Learn more about BLM 8473

This short, one-mile connector trail skirts the edge of a small private property parcel and provides access back to Trail Gulch Road on the opposite side. Winding through a landscape of sagebrush and scattered scrub pines, the route is easy to navigate and suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. ...
Learn more about BLM 8473C

Beginning at Trail Gulch Road, this short out-and-back route provides easy access to several dispersed campsites tucked among the pines, sagebrush, and low shrubs. The trail features a handful of gentle climbs and occasional rutted sections, but none are particularly steep or technical, making this ...
Learn more about BLM 8472

This lightly traveled BLM two-track winds through open terrain before passing through a section of burned forest and eventually connecting with another BLM route at its western end. The trail is generally easy to navigate in dry conditions and presents few obstacles for high-clearance vehicles. One ...
Learn more about BLM 8464

The Elk Drop trail is made up of several segments of single track connected by small sections of dirt road with varying terrain. Starting from the intersection with Fast Times, it departs to the left and drops down a steep hill with loose rocks and tight turns that is moderate difficulty. It comes t...
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This is a short, easy route suitable for all vehicles. The road is well-established and offers outstanding panoramic views, with snow-capped mountain peaks visible in multiple directions on clear days. Several spur routes branch off from the main road, providing access to more challenging terrain fo...
Learn more about Trail Gulch Road 6

This short out-and-back route begins with an easy drive through open sagebrush flats and scattered scrub pines. The first quarter mile is relatively level and suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. Beyond that, the trail steepens considerably, transitioning into a rocky, loose climb with multipl...
Learn more about BLM 8470

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

This route begins near private property and travels through rolling terrain before ending at 51 Road. The trail winds through stands of pine and dense shrubs, with occasional low-hanging branches that may brush larger vehicles. Along the way, drivers will encounter a few moderate inclines scattered ...
Learn more about BLM 8480B

This two-track BLM route winds through a classic high-desert landscape of sagebrush, pinyon pines, and junipers, offering a scenic and enjoyable drive across rolling terrain. The trail flows like a roller coaster, with gentle climbs and descents that provide constantly changing views of the surround...
Learn more about BLM 8460A

Gypsum to Radium Spring follows part of Section 05 of the Backcountry Discovery Route mostly along the Colorado River. Starting from Gypsum it's a fun narrow climb up and down Trail Gulch to Road 301. This is the most challenging section of this trail with many optional lines that offer more difficu...
Learn more about BDR Section 05 Gypsum to Radium Spring

Hockett Gulch is a short trail in the Hardscrabble trail system that mostly goes through a sagebrush desert landscape. From south to north, it steadily drops 400 feet over 1.6 miles, so it is mostly gradual with few steep sections. It is mostly a wide trail, but near the south end of the trail, ther...
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Beginning off BLM Road 8473, this two-track route winds through a scenic pinyon-juniper high-desert ecosystem, with portions of the trail enclosed by dense vegetation that create a tunnel-like driving experience. Several dispersed campsites are located along the route and near its turnaround point, ...
Learn more about BLM 8473A

Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this connector route links back to the northern segment of the same trail system, providing a shortcut that eliminates the need to pass through the section of Trail Gulch Road listed as private. While the trail is generally easy and sees less traffic than many nearby ...
Learn more about BLM 8474

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

Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this scenic BLM loop is an enjoyable and varied backcountry drive. The trail starts in open sagebrush country before gradually climbing into a classic pinyon-juniper woodland, where expansive views and several dispersed camping opportunities can be found along the rou...
Learn more about BLM 8473

Beginning off BLM Road 8473, this two-track route winds through a scenic pinyon-juniper high-desert ecosystem, with portions of the trail enclosed by dense vegetation that create a tunnel-like driving experience. Several dispersed campsites are located along the route and near its turnaround point, ...
Learn more about BLM 8473A

Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this connector route links back to the northern segment of the same trail system, providing a shortcut that eliminates the need to pass through the section of Trail Gulch Road listed as private. While the trail is generally easy and sees less traffic than many nearby ...
Learn more about BLM 8474

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

Beginning off Trail Gulch Road, this scenic BLM loop is an enjoyable and varied backcountry drive. The trail starts in open sagebrush country before gradually climbing into a classic pinyon-juniper woodland, where expansive views and several dispersed camping opportunities can be found along the rou...
Learn more about BLM 8473