Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Frederick, Colorado

Gross Reservoir

This is a super fun, single lane road to amazing camping. You'll camp above the reservoir and fish, canoe, kayak and relax. No swimming. Open to licensed and unlicensed vehicles. Trail is open from May…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Magnolia Road East

This is a smooth, dirt road any vehicle can access. The road accesses the Aspen Meadows residential area, but will allow you to avoid the heavy traffic of Boulder Canyon and has beautiful scenery. This…
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Total Miles
6.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Switzerland Trail

It is amazing to consider what it must have been like to be on a train winding down the steep terrain on this trail. The scenery is fantastic, especially in the fall. If you want…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Gold Lake Trail

Calm out and back trail ending at a hut on private land. Be sure to not trespass on the private land. Some small ruts and rocks, along with some off-camber berms. A technical rock patch…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Peewink

Enjoy this simple trail that leads to some pretty camp spots. If you're lucky, you might even be able to see a moose! Most vehicles can do this road, although it does have some spots…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Rifle Road

The route begins in the middle of Cave Creek and is both USFS 217C and 217D. If you head up the left side of the trail there is a nice hill that offers some good…
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Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Chipmunk Gulch

Starting on Country Road 100, you'll head East onto the dirt path. You will then turn onto USFS Road 376. Once you are on the trail, it is pretty calm but you are still going…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Gordon Gulch

You're likely to see hikers on this trail, and it is a popular camping destination on the weekends. Check for postings on what camping is dispersed and what is designated. Be bear aware and plan…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Left Hand Reservoir

The trail to Left Hand Reservoir is a nice out and back trail that leads to a good reservoir for fishing. A great trail to be surrounded by trees, mountains, and some good friends. It…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

West Magnolia

Kids will love this small area with intersecting forest roads and camping. To camp, enter at the north end. No dirt bikes allowed on this trail. Open May 15 to November 30.
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Buckeye Mountain Road 512.1

A fun, out and back trail with a great campsite a few hundred feet up the trail, and an abandoned mining site just past that. The trail is fairly narrow. 4WD wasn't required, but definitely…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Michigan Hill

The Michigan Hill trail starts from the pickle gulch campground. This trail is a relatively easy trail for most off-road vehicles, although there are some narrow points on the trail. This trail winds through mining…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Nevadaville Loop

Journey through mines, old structures, buildings and cemeteries along this route to the town of Nevadaville. There are still a few people living there, so please be considerate. There is a fun kids' playground in…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Apex Road

There is a lot of history along this easy, backcountry drive. You'll be able to see four old cemeteries, and several historic structures in Apex, an old mining camp and ghost town. The route offers…
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Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Flowers Road

This is a quick and easy route that passes through some private land on the first section. Stay on the road all the way to the forest boundary. There are some great camping spots along…
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Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Santa Fe Trail

This is an easy, one-way trail with a few places to pass and some rocky and washed out sections. You'll find a handful of dispersed campsites and some great views of Idaho Springs. The end…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Rollins Pass East

You'll find two lakes, breathtaking views and a fun hike on this old railroad route. Needle's Eye Tunnel is just a short hike from the trail. Park and camp south of the trailhead. There are…
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Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

N Clear Creek Road

This trail is an offshoot from Apex Road. If you want something slightly more technically challenging than Apex, this is a fun alternative to explore. The trail is fairly tight. 4WD is required in a…
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Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Old Squaw Pass East

This trail begins off of Squaw Pass Road. At the trailhead, you will see a sign for "Historic Arapaho Springs". This is an easier trail in dry conditions, accessible by stock 4WD vehicles and higher…
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Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Squaw Pass Central

This trail can accessed from either the Squaw Mountain Lookout trail or the Old Squaw Pass East Trail. The trail is blocked in the middle by a gated section of private property which prevents you…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Squaw Mountain Lookout

This trail is easily accessed off of Squaw Pass Road. As the name hints, the trail takes you takes you to Squaw Mountain fire lookout which is about a 1-mile hike from the end of…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Rollins Pass West

A beautiful, easy drive through thick trees. You'll eventually rise above the timberline and get an amazing view of Winter Park Ski Area as well as some gorgeous mountain lakes. If you want to continue…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Fall River Road

Bring your camera and visit Chasm Falls. Drive above the timberline on winding switchbacks, then visit Estes Park where you can get up close to elk (not too close), shop and have a great meal.…
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Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Meadow Creek Reservoir CR 848

The primary access to Meadow Creek Reservoir starts on County Road 84. This route takes a more off-road and scenic drive to start, meeting up with CR 84 about 2/3 of the way up to…
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Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Crow Valley Loop

Pawnee National Grasslands offers a distinct landscape of wide-open views and rolling hills with ample opportunities for recreation. This area is a checkerboard of National Grasslands, State of Colorado, Central Plains Experimental Range, and private…
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Total Miles
11.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Forest Road 507

Forest Road 507 rests in the Pike National Forest just outside of Sedalia, CO, and serves as a connector for the northern section of the Rampart Range Recreation Area. This trail runs in a 2-way…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

Rampart Crossover

This is a fun drive for licensed and unlicensed vehicles. You can take it in either direction. You'll either start or finish at Rainbow Falls OHV Area. Camping is available, but restricted to designated sites.…
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Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Jackson Creek South/ Watson Park

Jackson Creek South, and to some extent Watson Park are smooth, very easy wide roads that are worth exploring for the scenery and access to dispersed camping, but they also serve as access points for…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Byers Peak

Take this drive from Winter Park to the popular Byers Peak Hiking Trail. There are a lot of different things to enjoy there from hiking and biking, to camping and offroading. Unlicensed vehicles are not…
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Total Miles
13.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Stony Pass Road

Stony Pass Road begins off of Wigwam Creek Road, near Cheesman Reservoir in the Pike National Forest. The road heads north towards Wellington Lake. This is a dirt road that can be accessed by most…
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Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa