Straight Creek

Straight Creek is an ideal, moderately challenging route for dirt bike riders and ATV enthusiasts looking to traverse the scenic corridor running parallel to Interstate 70 between Dillon and the Eisenhower Tunnel. This roughly 3.6-mile trail climbs from an elevation of 9,321 feet up to 10,342 feet, gaining just over 1,020 feet of vertical elevation along the way. Navigating the trail requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, SxS, ATV, or off-road motorcycle due to its combination of a single-lane service road and narrower 50-inch ATV trail segments. Much of the route traces the path of Straight Creek under the shadow of the highway, passing directly through the burn scar left by the 2021 Straight Creek Fire, which offers a unique look at forest regeneration. The unpaved surface features an average gradient of about 3 degrees, though riders should prepare for steeper pitches reaching up to 16 degrees on several short, punchy hills. Along with some sandy patches and minor washouts, operators will encounter several shallow creek crossings and a few highly rocky technical sections that contribute to its rating of 3 out of 10. While originally constructed to support the building of Interstate 70 and its tunnels, the route currently functions as a service road for the highway's extensive drainage system and local utility access.