Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Westminster, 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… Learn more about Gross Reservoir
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… Learn more about Magnolia Road East
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… Learn more about Switzerland Trail
Total Miles
5.1
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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… Learn more about Forest Road 507
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.… Learn more about Rampart Crossover
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… Learn more about Jackson Creek South/ Watson Park
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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
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… Learn more about Stony Pass Road
Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Trout Creek (FS 649)
Trout Creek is easy dirt and crushed granite. The trail is easy, except for the large number of berms and waves across the trail. For the most part, turns are shallow and level and there… Learn more about Trout Creek (FS 649)
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Wigwam Creek Road
Wigwam Creek Road is a dirt road located on the southwest side of CO Road 126 in the Pike National Forest. It is easily accessible by passenger vehicles in dry conditions. The road is mostly… Learn more about Wigwam Creek Road
Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Long Hollow 60 inch Trail (FS 650)
This summary is for the southern part of Long Hollow Trail that is about 4.5 miles of fun, twisting, turning trail through the forest on fairly smooth well-maintained crushed granite trails. The Forest service rates… Learn more about Long Hollow 60 inch Trail (FS 650)
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Wigwam Trail
This shorter trail begins a few miles in on the Stony Pass Road Trail, near Cheesman Reservoir in the Pike National Forest. The road heads west toward the Wigwam Creek Trailhead, providing access to the… Learn more about Wigwam Trail
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Fern 2- Rampart Range
This is a scenic and fun 2-mile long trail on mostly crushed granite and dirt. Except for a short, steeper grade at the northern end of the trail, the trail has a gentle grade throughout… Learn more about Fern 2- Rampart Range