Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Mancos, Colorado

Rocky road in some spots, nothing to difficult though, easily done with a high clearance rig, muddy when wet. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings…
Learn more about Chicken Creek Road

This road runs along private property, so please keep in mind and be respectful; when wet, this road becomes a crazy muddy mess; you will find huge mud tracks and potholes that will hurt if…
Learn more about Millwood Road

Along this out-and-back road you will have plenty of opportunities for camping specifically in the first half of the road, which is also well-maintained. The further up the mountain you go, the more uneven and…
Learn more about Madden Peak Road

This is an easy, breathtaking, beautiful ride into the La Plata Mountains in the San Juan National Forest. There is a staging area at the start of the ride. At 2.3 miles, this trail travels…
Learn more about Red Arrow Aspen Passage

This gorgeous route starts at a staging area and immediately enters the San Juan National Forest. It climbs through scrub oak and ponderosa terrain before reaching large aspen glades on both sides of the road.…
Learn more about CR 44 Echo Basin Loop

There is lots of camping before this road and some camping at the end of the road. With all the cows, expect a good morning moo and cow pies! The trail features lots of mud…
Learn more about Railroad Grade

Coyote Park South starts as a dry and rocky trail that climbs up from the trailhead along a fence line. The initial hill climb has some embedded boulders, but then it gets into a more…
Learn more about Coyote Park South

The Rim trail is a short single track that connects to the south end of Chicken Creek at an intersection with a non-motorized trail. It is a mile long, and mostly straight, flat, smooth, and…
Learn more about Rim Trail

This route travels from Forest Service 331D (Ramparts Loop) to a rocky overlook viewpoint. The viewpoint offers spectacular views of Mancos Valley, Jackson Gulch, and Weber Reservoirs. On a clear day, the mountains around Mesa…
Learn more about Forest Service Road 331 D1

Lots and lots of camping, big area for RVs and large groups. Water crossing halfway through the trail, lots of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. It can be muddy when wet.Dirt or rocky road,…
Learn more about Ditches Road

This short segment of the Morrison Trail is an easy connector trail from the Upper Chicken parking lot to the Morrison ATV trail. It winds through a pine tree forest and is a bit drier…
Learn more about Morrison Trail (Part 2)

The 1.5-mile Box Canyon Spur is an easy bailout from the Box Canyon Trail that goes south to Box Canyon Road, which is a graded wide road with lots of camping. The spur is mostly…
Learn more about Box Canyon Spur

Very tight road, not recommended for a wide wheelbase or tall vehicle, beautiful views, very rocky, muddy when wet. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings…
Learn more about Helmet Peak

Can be muddy when wet. The road offers a decent view at the end overlooking a valley. There is a gate, so please close it behind you! If you like cows, you'll have plenty of…
Learn more about Spring Cr Pt Road

This is a short drive in a residential area, but if you're looking for beautiful aspen trees, I recommend checking this road out. The road does get muddy when wet. There are a few hiking,…
Learn more about Spring Creek Road

Most of this trail is fairly well-maintained dirt and gravel that winds along the La Plata river, though towards the end the Pa Plata headwaters run across the trail for a final ascent above timberline…
Learn more about La Plata Canyon/CR 124

The BC Rim trail is a mostly flat single track through a forest with a mix of low bushes, aspens, ferns, and pine trees. The trail has tight snaking curves, some of which are pretty…
Learn more about BC Rim

Hillside Drive (FR 436) is an easy and delightful drive up a hillside in the San Juan Forest. You cross the Dolores River to start, then head upwards with Burnette Canyon on your right. The…
Learn more about Hillside Drive

This trail is very muddy in spots and has small water puddles. It offers lots of camping with hiking and biking trails. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter…
Learn more about Upper House Creek Road

This trail has camping spots and offers biking, hiking, and riding trails with beautiful views. The road can be muddy when wet and has ruts in some places. Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades.…
Learn more about Boggy Draw Road

Fun little road that has some rutted areas with mud possible when wet. Can get tight in spots, has some camping, and offers a cool view at the end. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained…
Learn more about Beaver Rim Road

There are big open pastures with lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Roads are typically two vehicles…
Learn more about Beaver Point Road

This road can be very dusty when dry and muddy when wet. Beautiful view at the end with a small camp spot for one or two people. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain…
Learn more about Beaver Rim F Road

This road offers some beautiful views and some camp spots. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. Can be muddy when wet. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12"…
Learn more about Trail Canyon

Short quick access road to get to others. There are big open pastures with lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and…
Learn more about Plateau Road

This is a short quick access road to get to others. There are some pretty views and big open pastures. There are lots and lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or…
Learn more about Trimble Road

Amazing views, camp spots, hikes. It's a very easy road, with some uphill climbs, but a 2WD can do it in good weather conditions. The road can be muddy when wet.Dirt or rocky road with…
Learn more about Junction Creek

This road has switchbacks at the end that is not accessible for trailers. There are compositing bathrooms and a beautiful view at the end. Access to water from a hiking trail, huge rocks around. Dirt…
Learn more about Dry Canyon

There are some low trees on this road, so it is not recommended for tall vehicles. Along this route is a big open meadow and some camping areas. Can be muddy when wet. There are…
Learn more about Dry Canyon A Road

This road offers some camping, good access to many other roads, and lots of views. There is cell service at spots, but it can be very spotty with the weather. Can be muddy when wet.…
Learn more about Ormiston Point Road