Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near New Castle, Colorado

Road starts out traveling up the valley of Elk Creek as paved road for 6.5 miles, at that point it turns into Forest Road 603/aka Cinetop Road and is gravel road. At this point road winds up thru Oak Brush, Aspen groves, and Pine Forest up a lot of switch back turns and ends up on the top of the fla...
Learn more about Main Elk Creek

A large parking area at the trailhead can accommodate up to 30 vehicles or trailers. The trail begins with 8–10-inch ruts and is heavily washed out just feet from the entrance. At 0.1 miles, there is a campsite for up to three vehicles with level ground, a fire ring, and valley views. Additional cam...
Learn more about West Elk Ridge South

This route is a gravel road that will lead you into the Flat Top area. It is open seasonally from June to November. It is a fun drive, and you will have the opportunity to see plenty of aspen trees, wildlife, and flowers. Vehicles must be tagged to travel this trail. Drive slow and enjoy the views i...
Learn more about New Castle Road

This route winds through beautiful wildflower-filled meadows, passes a small pond rich with wildlife activity, and ends at a secluded campsite tucked away from the more heavily used areas. Animal tracks and other signs are common throughout the route, adding to the sense of remoteness and natural be...
Learn more about No Name Spur

Clinetop Road is part of the Colorado Flat Tops and is a 7-mile dirt and rock Forest Service road that runs from Main Elk Creek Road to Burnt Mountain Road. The trail offers remarkable views of the Flat Tops, and several outstanding campsites can be found along the trail. The trail surface is mostly...
Learn more about Clinetop Road

This route branches off the main Clinetop Road and leads to a secluded campsite tucked among the trees, offering a quieter alternative to the area's more popular camping spots. Along the way, the trail passes through beautiful meadows filled with seasonal wildflowers, adding to the scenic appeal of ...
Learn more about Buttermilk Road

This route takes you into the White River Plateau area near Rifle Gap State Park. It is a steep, rocky climb with boulders and ledges. Most of the route is narrow but has spots that widen out. This is on BLM land and has several camping spots along the way. At the top, there is a great view of Rifle...
Learn more about Rifle East

This is an out-and-back route that leads you to an overlook on the east side. It is a dirt road with rocky and rutted areas. On the east end of the route is a bigger turnaround area. Do not try to take the trails going left or right; there are dead ends with no place to turn around, and it can be ve...
Learn more about Cedar Mountain East

This route connects Clinetop Road with Burnt Mountain Road, providing an easier alternative for reaching the latter trail. Along the way, travelers are treated to beautiful views of sweeping mountain meadows as the road weaves in and out of the treeline. While there are no significant obstacles or t...
Learn more about Cattle Guard Road

This one-way-in, one-way-out trail consists of dirt, mud, and rocks, with 10–12-inch ruts and mud holes immediately from the start. The trail is one-vehicle-wide but has enough clearance to avoid significant pinstriping. The route is very scenic, traveling through dense forest and aspen trees. At th...
Learn more about Homestead Road

This trail begins from the West Elk Trailhead parking area and consists of dirt and rocks up to 2–3 inches. Ruts start at 4–5 inches, with the trail becoming tighter around 0.28 miles and some potential for pinstriping from overgrowth and branches. At 0.1 miles, there is a very large campsite that c...
Learn more about FS 845

This scenic trail consists of dirt, gravel, ruts, and mud holes. At 0.1 miles, there is a private campsite for up to six vehicles with level ground, forest views, and wildflowers. Around 1.4 miles, the trail runs along a cliffside with beautiful views, so use caution. The trail ends at a gate leadin...
Learn more about Ogden Place Road - FS 820

This route climbs from Rifle Mountain Park into the broader White River Plateau, providing easy access to a vast network of roads and trails throughout the area. Numerous dispersed campsites can be found along the route, making it an excellent choice for those looking to establish a base camp while ...
Learn more about Coulter Mesa Road

Cedar Mountain West is rocky and narrow, leading you down towards Rifle East Trail. There are dirt portions of the trail that can be muddy after rain. Along this route, there are great views of the area as well as dispersed camping spots. Most stock 4WD vehicles will have no issues with this route.
Learn more about Cedar Mountain West

This is part of the Transfer Trail, which is a rocky dirt road that will connect you to white Owl and Coffee Pot Trails. A high-clearance vehicle is needed due to the size of rocks and ruts. You will see open meadows, aspens, and wildflowers. The route was easily driven with a stock Jeep Rubicon; j...
Learn more about Transfer Trail Connect

Rifle Loop is at the top of the White Mountain Plateau area. The south portion of the route is easy with few rocky areas and steeper on the east side. The north portion has a narrow off-camber section that is rocky but easy overall. You will have 360-degree views of the surrounding area, and it is w...
Learn more about Rifle Loop

This road begins near Rifle Gap Reservoir and provides access to several residential areas, OHV routes, and backcountry roads that branch throughout the surrounding foothills. The landscape here feels surprisingly different from much of Colorado, blending rugged desert terrain with forested hillside...
Learn more about Rifle Creek Road

This one-way-in, one-way-out trail travels through dense aspen forest on dirt with ruts and mud holes. Several large campsites are available within the first 0.2 miles, including one that can accommodate up to 15 vehicles or multiple campers and fifth wheels. The trail is wide enough for passing wit...
Learn more about Lake Park Road - FS 860

This route climbs from the western side of the White River Plateau through dense forests of aspen and pine, offering a scenic drive beneath a beautiful mountain canopy. The trail is fairly rocky in places, requiring moderate clearance and careful driving, but there are no major technical obstacles. ...
Learn more about Little Box Road

This out-and-back trail consists of dirt and fine gravel, with 8–12-inch ruts and sections up to 10 degrees off-camber. It crosses an open valley surrounded by mountain ranges and aspens, offering a different scenic experience from nearby trails. At 0.5 miles, there is a level campsite for up to two...
Learn more about Joe Mule Park - FS 245

A large parking area at the trailhead can accommodate up to 30 vehicles or trailers. The trail begins with 8–10-inch ruts and is heavily washed out just feet from the entrance. At 0.1 miles, there is a campsite for up to three vehicles with level ground, a fire ring, and valley views. Additional cam...
Learn more about West Elk Ridge South

This route winds through beautiful wildflower-filled meadows, passes a small pond rich with wildlife activity, and ends at a secluded campsite tucked away from the more heavily used areas. Animal tracks and other signs are common throughout the route, adding to the sense of remoteness and natural be...
Learn more about No Name Spur

This route branches off the main Clinetop Road and leads to a secluded campsite tucked among the trees, offering a quieter alternative to the area's more popular camping spots. Along the way, the trail passes through beautiful meadows filled with seasonal wildflowers, adding to the scenic appeal of ...
Learn more about Buttermilk Road

This route takes you into the White River Plateau area near Rifle Gap State Park. It is a steep, rocky climb with boulders and ledges. Most of the route is narrow but has spots that widen out. This is on BLM land and has several camping spots along the way. At the top, there is a great view of Rifle...
Learn more about Rifle East

A large parking area at the trailhead can accommodate up to 30 vehicles or trailers. The trail begins with 8–10-inch ruts and is heavily washed out just feet from the entrance. At 0.1 miles, there is a campsite for up to three vehicles with level ground, a fire ring, and valley views. Additional cam...
Learn more about West Elk Ridge South

This route winds through beautiful wildflower-filled meadows, passes a small pond rich with wildlife activity, and ends at a secluded campsite tucked away from the more heavily used areas. Animal tracks and other signs are common throughout the route, adding to the sense of remoteness and natural be...
Learn more about No Name Spur

This route branches off the main Clinetop Road and leads to a secluded campsite tucked among the trees, offering a quieter alternative to the area's more popular camping spots. Along the way, the trail passes through beautiful meadows filled with seasonal wildflowers, adding to the scenic appeal of ...
Learn more about Buttermilk Road

This route takes you into the White River Plateau area near Rifle Gap State Park. It is a steep, rocky climb with boulders and ledges. Most of the route is narrow but has spots that widen out. This is on BLM land and has several camping spots along the way. At the top, there is a great view of Rifle...
Learn more about Rifle East