Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Johnstown, Colorado

Buckhorn Road (Larimer County Road 44H) is a highly scenic dirt route that serves as a major connector between the Stove Prairie area and Pingree Park Road. Heading east to west, the trail gently climbs through Buckhorn Canyon, following a creek through thick pine and aspen forests up to the 9,163-f...
Learn more about Buckhorn Road - 44H

The route begins in the middle of Cave Creek and is both USFS 217C and 217D. If you head up the left side of the trail there is a nice hill that offers some good rock climbing for the more mild vehicles. Once you reach the end of the left side, it opens up to a nice little fire ring accompanied by a...
Learn more about Rifle Road

This out-and-back trail traverses several ridges with steep grades and 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail is mostly made up of a two-track forest road. Several of the descents/accents are eroded, creating the most challenging and technical sections of the trail. The...
Learn more about Swan Road

A gorgeous drive through part of the Roosevelt National Forest for those who want to see some scenic landscape in a 2WD. This track of the road is maintained but you should still use caution in spring and winter where the roads can become muddy, and snow-covered. This road gives access to the Colora...
Learn more about CR 80C Maintained Track of Cherokee Park Road

Chipmunk Gulch is a short, scenic route near Ward, Colorado, perfect for beginner offroaders and those looking for a quick mountain getaway with great camping. Stretching approximately 0.7 miles through the Arapaho National Forest, this dirt trail sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet and offers...
Learn more about Chipmunk Gulch

Pawnee National Grasslands offers a distinct landscape of wide-open views and rolling hills with ample opportunities for recreation. This area is a checkerboard of National Grasslands, State of Colorado, Central Plains Experimental Range, and private lands. The area contains numerous Forest Service ...
Learn more about Crow Valley Loop

This trail continues from the famous Switzerland Trail on the north side of Gold Hill Road and exits on Sawmill Road. It offers varied rocky terrain similar to the southern Switzerland Trail, with the addition of deep mud holes, scenic views, and an early option to explore the in-and-out Knob Hill t...
Learn more about Switzerland Trail - North

Pingree Park Road (CR 63E) is an easy, scenic gravel route running from Highway 14 down to the CSU Mountain Campus. Originally an 1860s logging route used to float railroad ties down the Poudre River, today it’s a relaxing drive through Roosevelt National Forest with sweeping views of the Mummy Rang...
Learn more about Pingree Park Road

Crown Point Road, located in Roosevelt National Forest near Rustic, Colorado, is a scenic off-road trail that offers an escape into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Known for its sweeping views and easy access to hiking trails, this route is perfect for anyone seeking a mix of mild offroad chal...
Learn more about Crown Point Road

This is a short and easy out-and-back trail. The trail passes through a private area leading back to a group camp and some private houses. The local landowners have built a gate and marked it as private property, so the accessible trail terminates before the map shows. However, this road gives you a...
Learn more about FS 145

Forest Service Road 147 is a quick, one-mile out-and-back spur off FS 145 that serves a single primary purpose: accessing the Emmaline Lake primitive trailhead. Because of its short length, it is not a standalone off-roading destination, but rather a bumpy access route for hikers and backpackers. Th...
Learn more about FS 147

Calm out and back trail ending at a hut on private land. Be sure to not trespass on the private land. Some small ruts and rocks, along with some off-camber berms. A technical rock patch that requires concentration and good tire placement. Lots of campsites throughout the trail that are secluded from...
Learn more about Gold Lake Trail

Magnolia Road East accesses the Aspen Meadows residential area but allows you to avoid the heavy traffic of Boulder Canyon. This is a smooth dirt road any vehicle can navigate, and it has beautiful scenery. It is a double-track road with many driveways, so watch your speed.
Learn more about Magnolia Road East

Bring your camera and visit Chasm Falls. Drive above the timberline on winding switchbacks, then visit Estes Park where you can get up close to elk (not too close), shop and have a great meal. A fee is required to enter the park. This road is open July 4 and closes with the first heavy snowfall. No ...
Learn more about Old Fall River Road

The trail to Left Hand Reservoir is a nice out and back trail that leads to a good reservoir for fishing. A great trail to be surrounded by trees, mountains, and some good friends. It contains a lot of big ruts that were washed out by water to flex out your rig. The trail has lots of tree stumps, ro...
Learn more about Left Hand Reservoir

This is a super fun, single lane road to amazing camping. You'll camp above the reservoir and fish, canoe, kayak and relax. No swimming. Open to licensed and unlicensed vehicles. Trail is open from May 15 to November 30.
Learn more about Gross Reservoir

Peewink is a scenic, beginner-friendly trail ideal for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and dirt bikes looking for easy access to beautiful dispersed camping in the Roosevelt National Forest. Spanning approximately 1.9 miles near Nederland, Colorado, this route winds through dense pine forests...
Learn more about Peewink

You're likely to see hikers on this trail, and it is a popular camping destination on the weekends. Check for postings on what camping is dispersed and what is designated. Be bear aware and plan accordingly. Trail is open all year.
Learn more about Gordon Gulch

This scenic county trail route follows Larimer County Roads 82E, 67J, and 73C, providing access to the Chicken Park trail system and a few additional spur trails. The eastern side of the trail primarily passes through open private grasslands on its eastern end, used for ranches and cattle grazing, g...
Learn more about Chicken Park Traverse

Black Hollow Road (Forest Road 142) is a moderately short but striking loop accessed directly off Crown Point Road in the Roosevelt National Forest. The defining characteristic of this trail is its path through the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire burn scar. The landscape is a stark, fascinating mix of charre...
Learn more about Black Hollow Road - FS 142

The route begins in the middle of Cave Creek and is both USFS 217C and 217D. If you head up the left side of the trail there is a nice hill that offers some good rock climbing for the more mild vehicles. Once you reach the end of the left side, it opens up to a nice little fire ring accompanied by a...
Learn more about Rifle Road

Chipmunk Gulch is a short, scenic route near Ward, Colorado, perfect for beginner offroaders and those looking for a quick mountain getaway with great camping. Stretching approximately 0.7 miles through the Arapaho National Forest, this dirt trail sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet and offers...
Learn more about Chipmunk Gulch

This trail continues from the famous Switzerland Trail on the north side of Gold Hill Road and exits on Sawmill Road. It offers varied rocky terrain similar to the southern Switzerland Trail, with the addition of deep mud holes, scenic views, and an early option to explore the in-and-out Knob Hill t...
Learn more about Switzerland Trail - North

Calm out and back trail ending at a hut on private land. Be sure to not trespass on the private land. Some small ruts and rocks, along with some off-camber berms. A technical rock patch that requires concentration and good tire placement. Lots of campsites throughout the trail that are secluded from...
Learn more about Gold Lake Trail

The route begins in the middle of Cave Creek and is both USFS 217C and 217D. If you head up the left side of the trail there is a nice hill that offers some good rock climbing for the more mild vehicles. Once you reach the end of the left side, it opens up to a nice little fire ring accompanied by a...
Learn more about Rifle Road

Chipmunk Gulch is a short, scenic route near Ward, Colorado, perfect for beginner offroaders and those looking for a quick mountain getaway with great camping. Stretching approximately 0.7 miles through the Arapaho National Forest, this dirt trail sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet and offers...
Learn more about Chipmunk Gulch

This trail continues from the famous Switzerland Trail on the north side of Gold Hill Road and exits on Sawmill Road. It offers varied rocky terrain similar to the southern Switzerland Trail, with the addition of deep mud holes, scenic views, and an early option to explore the in-and-out Knob Hill t...
Learn more about Switzerland Trail - North

Calm out and back trail ending at a hut on private land. Be sure to not trespass on the private land. Some small ruts and rocks, along with some off-camber berms. A technical rock patch that requires concentration and good tire placement. Lots of campsites throughout the trail that are secluded from...
Learn more about Gold Lake Trail