Best Intermediate Off-Roading Trails in Colorado

We are back with a new post covering the best trails in Colorado! In today’s post, we cover 13 offroad trails that offer diverse experiences from challenging rock crawls to scenic drives. Whether you’re seeking rugged terrain or breathtaking views, Colorado has it all.

These trials are perfect for those rigs that come equipped with a few offroad goodies such as lockers or more clearance. 

If you're new to off-roading or looking for something a bit less intense, be sure to check out our beginner’s guide for some easier trail options to get you started!

Bill Moore Lake - Empire

Bill Moore Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that offers alpine views and moderate challenges. Located within the Arapaho National Forest, this trail features deep washouts, whoop-de-dos, and medium-sized rocks. The trail climbs to Bill Moore Lake, a stunning alpine lake near the James Peak Wilderness.

Length and Duration: The trail is 5.28 miles one-way and typically takes about 3 hours.
Best Time to Visit: Open year-round, though summer is ideal for less snow and ice.
Vehicle Requirements: A stock SUV with high clearance and 4-low is recommended due to steep climbs, deep washouts, and rocky terrain.

Chinns Lake - Idaho Springs

Chinns Lake is a short yet scenic trail. The trail, located in the Arapaho National Forest, leads to two picturesque lakes perfect for fishing, hiking, or camping. The trail is fairly bumpy with small rock outcroppings and shallow ruts. Though the trail is a straightforward point A to point B route, the final switchback can be muddy and rutted. Be aware of people coming from the opposite direction. 

• Length and Duration: 1.4 miles one-way, approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round.

• Vehicle Requirements: Stock SUV with high clearance and 4WD.

Corkscrew Pass - Ouray

Corkscrew Pass is known for its colorful landscapes and challenging shelf roads, offering stunning views of rust-colored mountains and glacial ponds. It serves as a gateway to other popular trails in the San Juan Mountains.

• Length and Duration: 4.76 miles one-way, typically taking about two hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from June 15th to November 1st.

• Vehicle Requirements: A high-clearance SUV with 4WD and low-range gearing is recommended.

Devil's Canyon - Idaho Springs

Devil's Canyon offers a moderately challenging off-road trail close to Denver. Winding through dense forests and grassy meadows, it provides great dispersed camping opportunities along the way.

• Length and Duration: 5.15 miles one-way, typically taking about two hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from June 15th to December 15th.

• Vehicle Requirements: Stock SUVs with high clearance and 4WD are sufficient.

Engineer Pass Road - Lake City

Part of the famed Alpine Loop trail network, Engineer Pass offers a classic Colorado off-roading experience with breathtaking views and historical mining sites. The trail travels through high-altitude terrain and offers minimal obstacles, making it accessible for stock 4WD vehicles. While not overly difficult, the trail is long and rough, with sudden weather changes possible at high elevations.

• Length and Duration: 21.02 miles one-way, about 4 hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round.

• Vehicle Requirements: Stock 4WD vehicle with high clearance.

Imogene Pass - Telluride 

Imogene Pass is a straight-through route that connects San Miguel County and Ouray County, crossing an elevation of 13,216 feet. Starting in Telluride, the trail ascends offering breathtaking alpine scenery. The road becomes narrow, with steep climbs and shelf roads as you approach the summit. The descent towards Ouray is the most challenging part of the trail. 

Length and Duration: The trail is 12.05 miles one-way and typically takes about 3 hours to complete.
Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from July 1 to November 1, with summer being the best time for travel.
Vehicle Requirements: A stock SUV with high clearance and 4-low is recommended. Expect narrow shelf roads, steep climbs, and small rock ledges.

Kingston Peak - Rollinsville

Kingston Peak provides an adventurous drive with spectacular views of James Peak. Located near Denver and Boulder, this trail offers a mix of rocky terrain and steep climbs. It is best suited for lightly modified 4X4 vehicles with larger tires, especially at its most challenging spot at Waypoint 8. The trail is approximately 8 miles long and can take 2 to 4 hours to complete, with opportunities to connect to other trails in the Yankee Hill Network.

• Length and Duration: 8.22 miles one-way, about 3 hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: July 15th to October 30th.

• Vehicle Requirements: Lightly modified 4X4 with larger tires.

Middle Fork Swan River - Breckenridge

Middle Fork Swan River is a scenic, high-altitude trail that winds through the Swan River Valley, offering panoramic views of Breckenridge Ski Resort and Red Cone. This trail features a mix of moderate and severe obstacles. And the trail connects to other popular routes for a full day of adventure.

• Length and Duration: 7.43 miles one-way, about 2 hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: May 20th to November 23rd.

• Vehicle Requirements: Lightly modified 4X4 with larger tires and lockers.

Mount Antero - Buena Vista

Starting from the Chalk Creek Valley, the trail ascends through forests and alpine meadows, featuring nine switchbacks with panoramic views of surrounding peaks. The final stretch is rocky and challenging. The trail ends near Mount Antero's summit, providing stunning views of the Arkansas River Valley and plenty of other opportunities to explore different trails.

• Length and Duration: 7.07 miles one-way, about 2 hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: June 1st to October 31st.

• Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance 4x4 with low range.

Pearl Pass - Aspen

Pearl Pass is a high alpine trail located between Aspen and Crested Butte. This challenging pass features a mix of terrain and stunning views from the Continental Divide at 12,705 feet. The pass remains closed late into the summer if snow persists, so check conditions before heading out.

• Length and Duration: 19.35 miles one-way, about 4 hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: May 27th to November 22nd.

• Vehicle Requirements: Lightly modified 4X4 with larger tires and undercarriage protection.

Poughkeepsie Gulch - Ouray

Poughkeepsie Gulch is famed for its technical difficulty and stunning views, including Lake Como. Known for the optional obstacle called “The Wall,” a challenging rock climb, this trail offers a mix of adventure and scenery.

• Length and Duration: 3.77 miles one-way, typically taking about three hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from July 1st to October 14th.

• Vehicle Requirements: A stock SUV with high clearance and 4WD is needed, especially for steep, rocky sections.

Red Cone - Grant

Red Cone is one of the most iconic off-road trails in central Colorado, offering breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and a steep, one-way descent. The trail includes rocky obstacles early on and connects to trails like Webster Pass and many others. 

• Length and Duration: 5.98 miles one-way, typically taking about two hours to complete.

• Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from July 1st to March 31st.

• Vehicle Requirements: A well-equipped 4WD vehicle with high clearance and low range is necessary.

Tincup Pass - St. Elmo

Tincup Pass is a historic trail that crosses the Continental Divide, following a path once traveled by miners in the late 1800s. Connecting the ghost towns of St. Elmo and Tincup, it offers stunning scenery and a  rocky trail.

• Length and Duration: The trail covers 12.69 miles one-way and typically takes about two hours to traverse.

• Best Time to Visit: The trail is open from May 16th to February 28th, with snow cover possible into July.

• Vehicle Requirements: Suitable for stock SUVs with high clearance and 4WD.

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And that wrap’s up our top 13 intermediate trails in Colorado! 

Remember to plan your trips according to your skill level and always prioritize safety and respect for nature. Enjoy the adventure, and don't forget to share your experiences and trail tips with the community. Happy offroading!