Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Nucla, Colorado

Rim Rocker

The Rim Rocker is a 160-mile route winding it's way over red rock, through aspen groves, along the edges of sheer cliffs, and across rivers in order to bring travelers from Moab Utah to Montrose…
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Total Miles
158.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Divide Road

This is a 90-mile long, wide-graded road up the middle of the Uncompaghre Plateau from Montrose to (almost) Grand Junction. Go from farmland to expansive areas of forest, then to the desert. This mellow graded…
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Total Miles
85.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

25 Mesa Road

25 Mesa Road is a wide, smooth well-graded road running all the way across Uncompahgre Plateau from Nucla to Delta. We did not find any specific attractions along the route, but it is an enjoyable…
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Total Miles
26.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Escalante Canyon

Escalante Canyon is a very nice run from the desert at the Gunnison River to the forest on the Uncompahgre Plateau. This Jeep trail takes you upstream through Escalante Canyon (west side of the loop),…
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Total Miles
57.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Roubideau Jeep Trail

This is a 12-mile loop trail off Divide Road beginning 30 miles from Montrose. We did this trail by following a fence line up the east leg to join the original Roubideau Jeep Trail. We…
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Total Miles
11.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

South Divide

This is a series of well-graded or slightly bumpy roads that will take you from Ridgway to Olathe over the Uncompaghre Plateau. The south part has vast views of open ranchland, the center is in…
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Total Miles
80.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Divide Cut-off

Divide Cut-off trail is right off Divide Road outside the DIvide Campground in the Uncompaghre Plateau Wilderness. The trail is fast and flowing, with a few climbs and descents. Parts of the trail meander through…
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Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Gill Creek Loop 50"

This fun trail on the Uncompaghre Plateau provides east access to a 50" track with some slick rock sections early in the loop. The trail has easy access with a fair amount of traffic so…
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Total Miles
13.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Tabeguache

Tabeguache 2.0 is a short, easy Jeep trail a short distance west of Montrose. It starts near the Dry Creek Rock Crawling Trails, and crosses Dry Creek, Piney Creek, and Cushman Creek before climbing up…
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Total Miles
11.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Bench Mark Lookout

This drive takes you up to a lookout with beautiful scenery and big tall trees. The road can be muddy when wet and dusty when dry. There is access to other roads. Easy road for…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Flat Iron Road

This is a quick, short road with beautiful scenery and tall trees. It can be muddy when wet, dusty when dry, and provides access to other roads. An easy road for any vehicle and is…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Ormiston Point Road

This road offers some camping, good access to many other roads, and lots of views. There is cell service at spots, but it can be very spotty with the weather. Can be muddy when wet.Dirt…
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Total Miles
10.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su

Sims Mesa/Delores Creek

The maintained gravel Sims Mesa Rd offers views of the Uncompaghre River valley. It becomes a rutted unmaintained Forest Service road as it enters the National Forest. Wildflowers and aspen groves line the trail as…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su

Trimble Road

This is a short quick access road to get to others. There are some pretty views and big open pastures. There are lots and lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or…
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Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Ferris Road

There is burned area at end of the road, so be mindful of debris, and muddy spots. There are some camp spots and access to other roads. Pretty open pastures.Dirt or rocky road with gentle…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Plateau Road

Short quick access road to get to others. There are big open pastures with lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Cabin Rim Road

Quick short road with beautiful scenery and big tall trees. The road can be muddy when wet, and dusty when dry. Typically two vehicles wide and provides access to other roads. An easy road for…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Dry Canyon

This road has switchbacks at the end that is not accessible for trailers. There are compositing bathrooms and a beautiful view at the end. Access to water from a hiking trail, huge rocks around. Dirt…
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Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Trail Canyon

This road offers some beautiful views and some camp spots. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. Can be muddy when wet. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12"…
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Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Geyser Pass

This beautiful drive is over 10,600 feet above sea level, and there are some fun hiking and biking trails nearby if you want to get to a mountain top. It's simple to make this a…
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Total Miles
36.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Beaver Point Road

There are big open pastures with lots of cows, so watch out for cow pies! Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Roads are typically two vehicles…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

La Sal Pass

Beautiful autumn colors provide an awesome backdrop to enjoyable and moderately challenging drive. ATVs and UTVs will especially love venturing up the west side.
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Total Miles
32.3
Tech Rating
2 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Dry Canyon A Road

There are some low trees on this road, so it is not recommended for tall vehicles. Along this route is a big open meadow and some camping areas. Can be muddy when wet. There are…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boggy Draw Road

This trail has camping spots and offers biking, hiking, and riding trails with beautiful views. The road can be muddy when wet and has ruts in some places. Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades.…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Beaver Rim Road

Fun little road that has some rutted areas with mud possible when wet. Can get tight in spots, has some camping, and offers a cool view at the end. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained…
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Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Upper House Creek Road

This trail is very muddy in spots and has small water puddles. It offers lots of camping with hiking and biking trails. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter…
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Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beaver Rim F Road

This road can be very dusty when dry and muddy when wet. Beautiful view at the end with a small camp spot for one or two people. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Gunnison Tunnel

In 2020 a locked gate was placed near the west portal (west of the canal dipper) which prevents running the complete trail. The trail can be run from the Uncompahgre River east to the gate…
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Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Elephant Skin Road

Elephant Skin Road is an easy Jeep trail between Montrose and Olathe. There are a few shallow gullies across the road, but can be done with any vehicle with a bit of clearance. There is…
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Total Miles
15.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Box Factory Park

This trail begins at the entrance to Double RL ranch, which is owned by Ralph Lauren. It is a great option if many of the passes are closed in the area, since the road stays…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa