Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Silverton, Colorado

This is a short little drive on the north side of Silverton. It starts on 15th street at the county courthouse. This easy drive takes you by the Christ of the Mines Shrine with wonderful…
Learn more about Cty Rd 6 - Christ of the Mines Shrine

County Road 110 is a graded gravel road open most of the year with snow plowing in winter months. It starts in Silverton and heads north ending at the site of the Sunnyside Mine ruins…
Learn more about County Road 110

This is an easy trail outside Silverton, CO. This trail takes you through Copper Gulch on the North end and ascends as you go south into the Rolling Mountain Valley. The trail is a dirt…
Learn more about South Mineral Road

This trail starts paved, then turns to gravel. Heavily trafficked on weekends, visibility can be very poor due to blowing dust. There is no cell service once you get a few miles from Silverton. This…
Learn more about Alpine Loop Silverton to Animas Forks

Just beyond the outskirts of Silverton, this road climbs up through a bunch of old mine sites to a mountain lake. Compared to the scenery of the Million Dollar Highway, this little nook is rougher,…
Learn more about Arrastra Gulch to Little Giant Basin

If you're looking to escape some of the heavier traffic on County Road 2 between Silverton and Lake City, East Animas Road is a fantastic alternative. At just 2 miles long, this trail offers a…
Learn more about East Animas Road

This trail takes you up along the Rio Grande past its reservoir to the headwaters. There is beautiful scenery, campsites along the river and some of the best trout fishing to be had. It runs…
Learn more about NF 520 - Rio Grande Reservoir & Headwaters

This road will lead to the trailhead for the Columbine Lake hike. Vehicles are often parked on the shoulder, so use caution. The beginning of the Northern part of the trail will have you crossing…
Learn more about Chattanooga Trail

This short offshoot from Ophir Pass leads to a very small campsite next to a river. There are two rock fire rings in the area. If you cross the river, the trail splits left or…
Learn more about Middle Fork Mineral Creek

County Road 10 is a short narrow trail from the end of City Road 110 and the Sunnyside Mine ruins to Hurricane Pass/Corkscrew Gulch. It is an alternate way to get to the Alpine Loop…
Learn more about County Road 10 to Hurricane Pass

Cunningham Gulch is a great side trail just outside Silverton, CO providing an excellent area for dispersed camping, stunning views of the San Juan's, old mining camps, and waterfalls spread throughout the area. The first…
Learn more about Cunningham Gulch

Wind between two peaks of the Red Mountains and enjoy some really beautiful country. Logging trucks are common on the lower portion of the trail. Parking and camping are available at the bottom of the…
Learn more about Corkscrew Gulch, Hurricane Pass

Short, easy trail that turns off from CR2 and ends at the remains of the Intersection Mill, built in the 1890s during the CO gold rush. It also connects to a network of hiking trails…
Learn more about Maggie Gulch

This is a short spur through a private area down to the South Fork Animas River. The road ends at a gate, short of what the Motor Vehicle Use Map shows, to keep traffic out…
Learn more about South Fork Animas Trailhead

An easy trail turning off CR2, and ending in the alpine tundra at a hiking trailhead. The trail passes several abandoned mining camps in various states of disrepair, and a decent size waterfall with a…
Learn more about Minnie Gulch

This trail starts at the Animus Forks Ghost Town, and the start of the famous Alpine Loops. This is a remote and beautiful drive that passes by many old mining buildings. Make time to stop…
Learn more about California Gulch

This historic and scenic off-road route travels between two high alpine gulches just outside Silverton, climbing through wildflower-speckled meadows, past century-old mining ruins, and into panoramic high-country views. The trail begins with a steep, rocky…
Learn more about Placer and Picayne Gulch

This out-and-back trail may be brief, but it is rich with stories of ambition, perseverance, and the enduring human spirit. Situated off of Picayune/Placer Gulch, it leads you directly to the legendary Silver Queen and…
Learn more about Silver Queen

The journey to the Sound Democrat Mill is indeed steeped in history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Nestled at the bottom of a picturesque valley, the mill stands as a testament to the…
Learn more about Sound Democrat Mill

Lime Creek Road follows the beautiful Lime Creek steep with history going back to a hunting trail used by the Ute Indians, to prospectors/pioneers converting the trail to a road in the late 1880s to…
Learn more about Lime Creek Road

Grouse Gulch is a charming and brief offshoot of County Road 2. Despite its short length, this trail boasts a stunning view of the Animas River, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and photographers…
Learn more about Grouse Gulch

This in-and-out trail is a short, 3.5-mile round-trip trail with views and history. You will see a sign indicating the road is a dead end. At the very end of the trail are some ruins…
Learn more about Mineral Point

Enjoy this section of the famous Alpine Loop, which can be combined with Engineer Pass. Take Wager Gulch up to Carson Ghost Town, and follow Cinnamon Pass Road up to American Basin. Take a moment…
Learn more about Cinnamon Pass

Nestled at the base of Denver Hill, the Denver Lake Trail offers a delightful excursion for nature enthusiasts. The trail, though short, is packed scenic highlights that make it well worth the visit. The first…
Learn more about Denver Lake

Short trail off of Governors Basin trail in Ouray. It leads to some open meadows, some nice views and an old abandoned mine. Be aware there is another trail to the east on the map…
Learn more about Sidney Basin

This out-and-back trail is almost 11 miles one-way. It starts off fairly smooth and easy. It gets progressively more challenging each mile down the trail. The trail offers many stunning views of peaks and colorful…
Learn more about Cascade Divide Road

South Fork Ilium Rd, Cty Rd 63L connects to US 145 opposite the Ophir Pass trail. If you have just come down off Ophir, this road allows for some day use spots for respite and…
Learn more about South Fork Ilium Road

This is a short fun trail connected to the end of Yankee Boy Basin Trail. If you've come to the end of Yankee Boy, you owe it to yourself to do this trail as well.…
Learn more about Wrights Lake Trail

Leaving Purgatory Resort, Forest Service Road 578 quickly climbs to Hermosa Park utilizing well maintained narrow dusty switchbacks. Once peaking Forest Service Road 578, it drops you into a beautiful valley with jaw dropping views…
Learn more about Hermosa Park