Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Idaho Springs, Colorado
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… Learn more about Santa Fe Trail
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Nevadaville Loop
Total Miles
3.6
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… Learn more about Old Squaw Pass Central
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Old Squaw Pass East
Total Miles
1.4
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… Learn more about Apex Road
Total Miles
10.9
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… Learn more about Squaw Mountain Lookout
Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Michigan Hill
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about N Clear Creek Road
Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Su
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. Learn more about West Magnolia
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… Learn more about Buckeye Mountain Road 512.1
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
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… Learn more about Rollins Pass East
Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Magnolia Road East
Total Miles
6.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Gross Reservoir
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2
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… Learn more about Rollins Pass West
Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
2
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… Learn more about Peewink
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about Gordon Gulch
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
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… Learn more about Switzerland Trail
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Stevens Gulch
This trail is mainly used to get to Torrey's Peak and Gray's Peak trailheads. Most of it is dirt with small rocks, and could be done in a small car, but as you get further… Learn more about Stevens Gulch
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Grizzly Gulch
Grizzly Gulch is a difficult trail that starts up Stevens Gulch. There is a dirt parking lot area on Stevens Gulch, and if you go all the way to the back, you will find that… Learn more about Grizzly Gulch
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Left Hand Reservoir
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Peru Creek
A super easy road to camping, hiking and more. There are some difficult trails in the area if you want more of a challenge. Cinnamon Gulch takes you to an amazing viewpoint at an old… Learn more about Peru Creek
Total Miles
4.5
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… Learn more about Gold Lake Trail
Total Miles
3.5
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… Learn more about Chipmunk Gulch
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
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… Learn more about Byers Peak
Total Miles
13.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Jones Pass
You can access some really good hiking from this trail at Butler Gulch and along the Continental Divide. The views at the top of the pass are unbelievable. It's fun to get there, but there… Learn more about Jones Pass
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Au
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… Learn more about Meadow Creek Reservoir CR 848
Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Radical Hill
This is part of the network of trails out on Montezuma, Colorado. Note that leaving town, you follow the signs for Deer Creek. This section would be a TR3 to the top of Radical hill… Learn more about Radical Hill
Total Miles
18.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Strawberry BLM Road #2751
Traveling on this BLM road provides easy access to secluded dispersed camping all along its length and at the ends, as well as access to great mountain biking and stunning views of Fraser Valley and… Learn more about Strawberry BLM Road #2751
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
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… Learn more about Rifle Road
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Lost Park Road
Lost Park Road begins on the east side off of HWY 285. This is a dirt road in good condition and is accessible by 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. Stretches of the road are washboard… Learn more about Lost Park Road