Trail Overview
The Countryside Tour is a scenic, beginner-friendly 116.8-mile overland route southeast of Buena Vista that offers offroaders an easy way to experience the high-desert and forested backcountry east of the Collegiate Range. This graded dirt and gravel route is suitable for stock high-clearance vehicles, four-wheel-drive SUVs, and SxSs, making it an excellent choice for families or those looking for a relaxed day-long drive. Spanning elevations from 5,724 feet to 10,076 feet, the journey climbs and dips through a diverse mix of public National Forest land, private ranches, open grazing meadows, and historic cabin ruins, with about a quarter of the route consisting of paved connecting roads.
With a gentle technical rating of 1, the trail features no major obstacles, although drivers should remain alert for occasional washboards, oncoming traffic, and free-roaming livestock in the open range sections. The route's significant cumulative elevation gain of over 10,700 feet showcases dramatic transitions in vegetation, shifting from pinon-juniper woodlands to dense pine forests before descending back down toward the Arkansas River valley near US Highway 50. This track is typically accessible from late spring through late autumn, depending on snowpack, and provides numerous opportunities for dispersed camping, wildlife viewing, and side trips into the surrounding hills.
