Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Poncha Springs, Colorado

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 left onto CR 252 heading up to the Mt Shavano/Tabeguache Trailhead. The trail is bumpy and rocky throughout, w...
Learn more about Mt. Shavano

The route winds through dried-up creek beds and sandy, rutted-out canyons before making its way up to the main Mount Shavano trail. Expect gorgeous views of the southern portion of the Collegiate Peaks throughout. Although there are no camping opportunities along this route, the trail itself is wort...
Learn more about BLM 5630

The route runs along a length of high voltage power lines, with fantastic views of the Collegiate Peaks in the distance. At the terminus are several trailheads for hiking trails around Salida. The road winds through scrub brush typical of this area and does not include any major obstacles.
Learn more about BLM 5669

This route winds up a logging road from Salida to an overlook with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. The road itself is rocky and moves through an old evergreen forest with a recent burn scar. It can be narrow at times, so full-sized trucks may want to avoid this one or risk taking a few battl...
Learn more about Methodist Mountain Road

This route loops north from the Mt. Shavano trail to Droney Gulch Road. It starts in the alpine, with sweeping meadows and expansive views, before descending into a series of twisting trails that lead to the bottom of the gulch. Along the way, expect stunning views of Mt Shavano and the southern por...
Learn more about Droney Gulch

BLM trails 5672 and 5669 comprise a single road through what is known locally as BURMAC, providing access to critical local bike and hike trails. Plentiful opportunities for dispersed camping exist along the road, as well as parking for trailheads. BLM 5672C is a short spur providing a generous over...
Learn more about BURMAC

This trail breaks off from the main Mt. Shavano trail and provides an alternate route to the trailhead at the end. Where the main road leads through open plains, this route winds through an impressive series of aspen groves. This area is rich with wildlife, so expect to see mule deer and elk feeding...
Learn more about Mount Shavano - Aspen Cutoff

This easy dirt road takes you from Salida up into the hills to access the greater trail system. The road snakes up the canyon and opens up to amazing views of Cutler Gulch. Along the way, there are several places to camp. There are sections that cross private land that are posted.
Learn more about Ute Trail

This loop sits between the southern portion of the Sawatch Range and the Sangre de Cristo Range. It features incredible views of both and a wealth of easy-to-access campsites, perfect for trailers and rigs and dirtbikes alike. This area includes some interesting visual opportunities, like power line...
Learn more about Poncha Loop Road

This road branches off of Poncha Loop and provides excellent opportunities to get closer to the southern portion of the Sawatch Range to enjoy dispersed camping in the aspen groves. You can usually take this road further, but it has been restricted due to logging operations in the area. This is stil...
Learn more about Shirley Road

The road is accessible from Poncha Loop Road and provides access to several lesser-known campsites with incredible views of both the southern portion of the Sawatch Range, as well as the northern end of the Sangre de Cristo Range. It sits directly under some high-voltage lines, but somehow that only...
Learn more about Haircut Road

The Marshall Pass (East) route is a well-traveled, easy-to-navigate trail in central Colorado, suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. The trail is free of obstacles, making it accessible for drivers of varying skill levels. Several dispersed campsites are located along the route, providing oppor...
Learn more about Marshall Pass (East)

This road branches off from Poncha Loop and provides access to several high-quality campsites with excellent tree cover and views of the surrounding peaks, mainly the southern end of the Sawatch Range. The road itself passes through groves of both aspens and evergreens, and is commonly used by dirt ...
Learn more about Lasso Road

This road branches off of Poncha Loop and heads further into the foothills of the southern end of the Sawatch Range. It provides several excellent dispersed camping opportunities and views of the surrounding peaks. The road itself is mild and often accessed by budding dirt bikers or families looking...
Learn more about Velvet Buck Road

This road provides an alternate way in or out of the main Poncha Loop Road. Along the way, you'll see beautiful views of the surrounding peaks from the southern end of the Sawatch Range and the northern end of the Sangre de Cristo Range. There are several exposed dispersed campsites that are worth c...
Learn more about Clover Creek Road

Side Spur of Long's Gulch that takes you out to amazing views of the Collegiate peaks, especially with Views of Fourteeners, Mt. Antero, Mt Shavano, and Tabeguache Peak to the west. Along the Trail, there is an old Abandoned Mine. Additionally, several places to camp could accommodate multiple vehic...
Learn more about Long's Gulch Spur

This road deviates from Poncha Loop and connects with Velvet Buck Road to provide access to several dispersed campsites. While this road used to head further into the foothills of the southern Sawatch Range, that portion of the road has been closed off at this time. Still, it's worth traveling to ad...
Learn more about Raghorn Road

BLM routes 5972A and 5972B provide access to dispersed camping for those wishing to enjoy the Arkansas River Valley near Salida, Colorado. These are typically loose, unmaintained dirt roads, located at the mouth of Bighorn Canyon near Wellsville, Colorado. Please use only previously disturbed and de...
Learn more about 5972B

BLM 5972A and 5972B provide access to dispersed camping for those wishing to enjoy the Arkansas River Valley near Salida, Colorado. These routes are unmaintained, rough, and loose dirt roads, though four-wheel drive is not strictly necessary. They are situated near Wellsville, Colorado, right at the...
Learn more about 5972A

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 and fish area as well. Partway there on the right is a dirt road leading into a small BLM dispersed c...
Learn more about Hecla Junction - Arkansas River Headwaters

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 left onto CR 252 heading up to the Mt Shavano/Tabeguache Trailhead. The trail is bumpy and rocky throughout, w...
Learn more about Mt. Shavano

The route winds through dried-up creek beds and sandy, rutted-out canyons before making its way up to the main Mount Shavano trail. Expect gorgeous views of the southern portion of the Collegiate Peaks throughout. Although there are no camping opportunities along this route, the trail itself is wort...
Learn more about BLM 5630

The route runs along a length of high voltage power lines, with fantastic views of the Collegiate Peaks in the distance. At the terminus are several trailheads for hiking trails around Salida. The road winds through scrub brush typical of this area and does not include any major obstacles.
Learn more about BLM 5669

This route winds up a logging road from Salida to an overlook with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. The road itself is rocky and moves through an old evergreen forest with a recent burn scar. It can be narrow at times, so full-sized trucks may want to avoid this one or risk taking a few battl...
Learn more about Methodist Mountain Road

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 left onto CR 252 heading up to the Mt Shavano/Tabeguache Trailhead. The trail is bumpy and rocky throughout, w...
Learn more about Mt. Shavano

The route winds through dried-up creek beds and sandy, rutted-out canyons before making its way up to the main Mount Shavano trail. Expect gorgeous views of the southern portion of the Collegiate Peaks throughout. Although there are no camping opportunities along this route, the trail itself is wort...
Learn more about BLM 5630

The route runs along a length of high voltage power lines, with fantastic views of the Collegiate Peaks in the distance. At the terminus are several trailheads for hiking trails around Salida. The road winds through scrub brush typical of this area and does not include any major obstacles.
Learn more about BLM 5669

This route winds up a logging road from Salida to an overlook with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. The road itself is rocky and moves through an old evergreen forest with a recent burn scar. It can be narrow at times, so full-sized trucks may want to avoid this one or risk taking a few battl...
Learn more about Methodist Mountain Road