Planning a Colorado Riding Trip
A Colorado ATV or UTV trip can go sideways before you ever reach a trail: a route may be closed, too narrow for your machine, or far more demanding than its name suggests. This guide helps you choose a suitable riding area, check access and permits, plan for altitude and weather, and build a safer itinerary that leaves room for the unexpected.
Start with the kind of ride you want
Match the destination to your group
Colorado riding areas vary dramatically. A mellow forest road near a mountain town is a different proposition from a steep, exposed pass in the San Juans. Before picking a destination, talk through what your group actually wants: a scenic half-day outing, a network of loop trails, access to a ghost town, or a challenging high-country route.
It helps to be candid about experience. A person who is comfortable driving a side-by-side on a wide gravel road may not be ready to manage a narrow shelf road with loose rock, blind corners, and a sharp drop. Likewise, a strong ATV rider may still need time to adjust to altitude, cold wind, and long stretches without services.
For a first Colorado trip, consider making the riding area the main activity rather than trying to link several distant destinations in one day. Taylor Park near Gunnison, Rampart Range near Colorado Springs, and Grand Mesa are examples of areas with distinct landscapes and trail networks. Each takes its own research: there is no single trail profile that describes every route within an area.
Choose a base town with practical access
The nearest town affects more than where you sleep. It can determine how long you haul, whether you can refuel before a ride, where you can get basic supplies, and whether you have a backup plan if weather shuts down your intended route.
For example, a trip based in Gunnison may make sense for riding in the Taylor Park area, while Ouray or Lake City may be convenient starting points for San Juan Mountain outings. But proximity on a map does not guarantee an easy ride from town to trail. You may need to tow your machine to a designated staging area, and some town streets have restrictions on OHV use.
Think through the whole journey: where the trailer will be parked, whether your lodging allows trailers, and how you’ll get from the parking area to the legal route. A little planning here can prevent the unpleasant discovery that your rental, trailer, and overnight parking arrangements do not fit together.
Set a realistic daily plan
A route that looks short on a map can take longer than expected when the surface is rough, traffic is two-way, or the group stops often for photos and navigation. Build in time for a slow climb, a rider who needs a break, and a turn-around if conditions become uncomfortable.
A useful plan is to pick one primary route and one easier alternative. If a pass is closed, storms are building, or a machine develops a problem, you can switch plans without scrambling to research from the trailhead. Avoid building an itinerary that depends on riding every planned mile at a fast, uninterrupted pace.
For a multi-day holiday, give the first day a lighter workload. That lets everyone get used to the machine, local terrain, and altitude before attempting a longer ride. It also gives you a chance to notice practical issues—such as a loose strap, an uncomfortable helmet, or a rider who needs a different pace—while you’re still close to town.
Choose trails for your machine and experience
Treat route difficulty as a real planning tool
Trail difficulty labels can help narrow your choices, but they do not guarantee that a route will feel easy to your group. Conditions, weather, traffic, vehicle width, and driver experience all matter. A route that feels manageable on a dry day may be much more stressful after rain, when the surface is slick or rutted.
Read descriptions carefully and look beyond a simple rating. Is the route narrow? Does it have steep grades, loose rock, water crossings, exposed edges, or tight turns? Is it a two-way route where you may need to pass another vehicle in a constrained place? These details can be more useful than the broad label alone.
If you’re new to the area, start below your group’s maximum comfort level. An easier route is not a wasted day: it gives everyone a chance to learn how the machine handles at altitude and on Colorado surfaces. For more help judging a route, see [Trail Difficulty Ratings and What They Mean] and [Colorado Trails Suited to Beginners].
Check machine width and route restrictions
A trail may be open to motorized use but still be unsuitable or unavailable to your vehicle. Some routes have width limits, and a full-size side-by-side may not fit where a narrow ATV or dirt bike can travel. Don’t assume that a route is appropriate just because another machine in your group can use it.
Confirm your machine’s overall width, including any accessories that affect clearance. Then compare it with the route’s posted limit and the applicable map or agency information. If the route’s width restriction is unclear, choose a route with a clearly compatible designation rather than trying to judge a tight fit on the trail.
This matters especially when a group mixes machine types. One rider may be able to use a narrow trail that another machine cannot. Agree on a route that works for the least-compatible vehicle, or split up only if each group has its own capable navigator, emergency plan, and reliable way to communicate.
Plan for changing mountain conditions
Colorado’s high country can shift from sunshine to cold rain, wind, or lightning within a day. Snow may linger on a pass after lower roads are clear, and muddy conditions can make travel both more difficult and more damaging to the trail. Conditions can change faster than a trip plan, so make the decision to ride based on current local information rather than the calendar alone.
Altitude is another part of the terrain. A route above treeline can feel very different from a low-elevation forest road, particularly for someone who has just arrived from a lower elevation. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, or shortness of breath deserve attention. Don’t treat feeling unwell as a challenge to push through; stop, rest, and consider descending.
A sensible first-day plan leaves room to acclimate and turn around early. For more context on the season and conditions, read [Colorado's High-Altitude Riding Season]. If you’re deciding whether a route is suitable for the people coming along, [Riding Colorado Trails With Kids] can help you think through pace, supervision, and family needs.
Verify access, closures, and permits
Confirm that each route is legally open
A line on a recreational map is not, by itself, proof that you may ride it. Public-land routes can have seasonal dates, temporary closures, vehicle restrictions, or other conditions. A route can also pass through areas governed by different land managers, each with its own information and rules.
Check the current official map and closure information for the land manager responsible for the route. For National Forest System roads and trails, a Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM, is an important reference for which routes are designated for motorized use and what restrictions apply. Learn how to interpret it with [Reading a Colorado Motor Vehicle Use Map].
It’s also worth checking for updates close to departure and again before you leave town. A storm, fire, maintenance project, or resource-protection closure can change what is available. Keep a second route in mind so a closure doesn’t pressure your group into riding somewhere that is not open.
Understand permits and vehicle paperwork
Permit requirements depend on the kind of machine, where it is being used, and whether it is registered in Colorado or visiting from elsewhere. Colorado residents and non-resident visitors may follow different processes. If you’re bringing a machine from another state, read [Colorado Permits for Out-of-State Riders] and check the applicable Colorado Parks and Wildlife guidance before you travel.
A road-legal license plate is not a universal substitute for every permit or land-use requirement. Similarly, a permit does not give permission to ride every road or trail. It’s the combination of legal vehicle status, required permit, route designation, and any local restrictions that matters.
Sort paperwork before loading the trailer. Confirm that the registration or permit is valid for the trip, that the identification information matches the machine, and that you know where required documents must be carried or displayed. Keep a copy of important details accessible if the original paperwork is stored safely in your tow vehicle.
Check town and county rules separately
Access rules may change when you leave a trail network and enter a town or county road system. A route that connects two areas on a map may include streets where OHVs are prohibited, or it may pass through a community with specific operating rules. Don’t assume that a scenic route is a continuous legal connection.
Look for local ordinances, posted signs, and official route information for each town or county on your intended path. This is particularly important in mountain communities where vehicle access can vary by street, season, or designated corridor. If you’re uncertain, ask a local agency or visitor office where the approved staging area and legal access route are.
Plan around the rules rather than hoping to sort them out after unloading. If you must trailer between two riding areas, include that extra time in your schedule. A short drive on a map may become a substantial detour once legal access, parking, and trailer maneuvering are accounted for.
Prepare navigation that works beyond town
Use more than one source for route planning
Digital trail tools are convenient, but no app should be your only source for deciding whether a route is open and legal. Compare your planned route with official land-manager maps and notices. A recreational app can help you visualize terrain and organize a trip, while official information helps confirm designation and restrictions.
onX Offroad can be useful for exploring route networks, saving maps, and preparing for areas where mobile coverage is poor. Use it as part of your planning, not as a replacement for current official closure information. Before the trip, check that the route you intend to ride matches the applicable land-manager information.
For important junctions, note route names and numbers in advance. A group can easily lose time debating which spur to take when signs are weathered, confusing, or missing. A saved map, downloaded data, and a basic written route plan give everyone a shared reference.
Download maps and plan for dead zones
Cell service is unreliable in many mountain areas. A phone that works in Gunnison or Ouray may lose signal soon after the group heads into the forest or climbs into a remote valley. Do not rely on being able to search for a route, call for help, or send a location pin whenever you need one.
Download maps for offline use before leaving reliable Wi-Fi. Keep your device charged, and consider a battery pack that can be used safely in your vehicle. If you carry a paper map, store it where it will stay dry and accessible. A paper map won’t show a live location, but it can help orient you if a device fails.
Tell someone who is not riding where you plan to go and when you expect to return. Give them a clear point at which they should follow up if you haven’t checked in. In especially remote terrain, consider whether a satellite messenger or other communication device is appropriate. See [Cell Service on Colorado Mountain Trails] for more planning considerations.
Build a route card and make sure everyone understands it
A route card can be simple: starting point, planned route, key junctions, intended turnaround time, and backup option. It helps the group stay together and gives riders a shared idea of what counts as “off route.” This is useful when several machines are involved or when one rider is less familiar with navigation.
Before starting, confirm that everyone knows the day’s plan and who is leading. Discuss what the group will do if a rider gets separated, a machine breaks down, or someone decides the route is too difficult. Agree on a stop-and-wait procedure at confusing junctions rather than letting riders assume the rest of the group has gone ahead.
Use the same route names and map references across devices where possible. If one person calls a junction by a local nickname and another sees only a route number, confusion can grow quickly. A brief conversation at the staging area is much easier than sorting out a disagreement in a narrow or exposed spot.
Plan fuel, gear, and vehicle readiness
Estimate fuel with a conservative margin
Fuel use can rise when a machine spends the day climbing, running at high elevation, carrying passengers, or negotiating rough surfaces. The distance alone does not tell you whether a tank will be enough. Work from the vehicle’s expected range in similar conditions, then leave a generous reserve for detours, slow travel, or a change of plan.
Identify where you can refuel before the ride and whether the route itself offers any reliable fuel access. Do not assume a small mountain town or remote trailhead has the fuel, hours, or services you need. If you are hauling fuel, follow safe transport and storage practices, and secure containers so they cannot shift during the drive.
Agree on a group fuel plan before departure. If one machine has a shorter range, the entire group may need to plan around it. A rider who runs low far from a road or staging area can turn a pleasant day into a recovery problem. [Fuel Planning for a Colorado Trail Day] offers more detail for working through range and backup options.
Bring equipment for weather, repairs, and emergencies
Mountain weather can make a comfortable morning cold and wet by afternoon. Pack layers that can be added or removed, rain protection, gloves, eye protection, and enough water for the expected ride. Sun exposure can be strong at altitude, so sun protection matters even when the air feels cool.
Carry basic tools and supplies suited to your machine and the route. That may include a tire repair kit, a way to inflate a tire, spare straps or fasteners, and the tools needed for simple adjustments. The right kit depends on the vehicle, so check your owner’s manual and practice using the equipment before you need it on a trail.
A first-aid kit is useful only if someone knows where it is and how to use its contents. Include essential personal medication and make a plan for what to do if a rider is injured far from a road. Keep emergency supplies together rather than distributing them across several machines without telling the group where they are.
Inspect the machine and trailer before departure
A basic pre-ride inspection can catch small issues while there is still time to fix them. Check tires, brakes, lights, steering, fluid levels, belts or chains as applicable, and any loose parts or accessories. Confirm that the machine’s controls behave normally before you leave the staging area.
Trailer preparation deserves the same care. Check tires, lights, coupler, safety chains, tie-down points, and the condition of straps. Secure the machine so it cannot shift under braking or on a rough road, and avoid placing straps where they can rub against sharp edges or damage components.
If you rent, ask what inspection the rental shop expects you to complete and what to do if the machine has a problem. Understand the shop’s route restrictions and return procedure before you set off. A machine that is allowed on one route may not be permitted on another, even if both routes appear nearby.
| Planning item | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Route access | Official map, closures, dates, and vehicle restrictions | Prevents relying on an outdated or unofficial route line |
| Machine fit | Width limits, trail conditions, and group vehicle types | Avoids choosing a route a machine cannot legally or comfortably use |
| Permit and paperwork | Permit eligibility, registration, and display or carry rules | Helps prevent a paperwork problem at the trailhead |
| Fuel | Expected range, refueling options, and reserve | Reduces the chance of running short far from services |
| Navigation | Offline maps, route card, and backup device or map | Helps when cell service or a device fails |
| Weather | Forecast, exposure, turnaround plan, and clothing | Supports a safer decision if conditions deteriorate |
| Trailer and machine | Tie-downs, tires, lights, brakes, and pre-ride inspection | Reduces preventable roadside and trail problems |
Make the day work for your group
Set clear expectations for pace and spacing
A group ride is only as comfortable as its least-confident rider. Set a pace that allows everyone to stay in control, keep enough space to avoid dust and sudden stops, and regroup at agreed junctions. The fastest rider should not set the speed simply because they are eager to reach the pass or overlook.
Talk through hand signals or other ways to communicate before the group starts. Hearing can be difficult with helmets, engines, and wind. Agree on what a signal means, how riders should respond, and where the group will stop if someone falls behind.
Keep the group together without pressuring someone to continue when they are tired or uneasy. A rider who says a hill feels too steep, a ledge feels uncomfortable, or the weather is becoming concerning should be taken seriously. Turning around is a normal part of a good trip plan, not a failure.
Be deliberate about passengers and younger riders
Passengers change how a machine handles and how much space it needs. Make sure the vehicle is designed for the number of people aboard, and that each passenger has suitable protective gear and understands how to stay seated. Avoid assuming a child can safely ride because there is an open seat.
For younger riders, choose routes that match their experience, attention span, and ability to manage the machine. Build in frequent stops, keep them within sight, and avoid routes where a small mistake could have serious consequences. If family members ride different machines, designate an adult to keep track of the youngest or least experienced rider.
Set expectations in advance about stopping, following, and what to do if the group becomes separated. Kids may feel pressure to keep up, so let them know they can ask for a break or say they are uncomfortable.
Protect the trail and respect other people
Stay on routes designated for motorized use. Cutting a corner, widening a trail to pass, or riding around a wet section can damage soil and vegetation and may contribute to closures. If a route looks muddy or fragile, turn around rather than creating a new line around it.
Share roads and trails with other users. Slow down when approaching hikers, cyclists, horses, or vehicles, and follow posted right-of-way instructions. Dust can carry a long way in a dry valley, so reduce speed near homes, campsites, and other riders instead of treating the road like a private course.
Pack out litter and leave gates, signs, and barriers as you find them unless posted instructions say otherwise. Respecting nearby residents and other trail users helps protect access for everyone. A quiet, courteous pass through a community can matter as much as the ride itself.
Build a flexible itinerary and know when to turn around
Plan the day around daylight and decision points
Before you leave, set a latest turnaround time that allows you to return with enough daylight. The time should account for the slowest expected section, not just the distance shown on the map. Reaching a pass near the end of the day can leave little room to respond to a flat tire, changing weather, or a blocked route.
Choose a few decision points along the ride. At each one, check the weather, group energy, fuel, and time. If the group is already running late or a rider is feeling unwell, shorten the route. It is easier to make that call at a junction than after committing to a long remote section.
Make the return route clear, too. Riders sometimes focus so closely on reaching a destination that they forget the ride back may be slower or more demanding. A descent can be hard on brakes, and tired drivers may have less attention for loose rock and blind corners.
Have a weather and closure backup
A backup plan should be more specific than “we’ll find something else.” Identify an alternative route or lower-elevation activity, and know where you can stage or park if the primary area is unavailable. Check that the alternative is legal for your machine and doesn’t require a permit or access arrangement you have not prepared.
If storms are forecast, consider how exposed the route is and how long it may take to reach shelter or a lower elevation. Lightning above treeline is a serious reason to avoid pressing on toward a high pass. A clear morning does not guarantee a clear afternoon, so check local conditions and watch the sky while riding.
Closures can also affect a planned route even when the weather is pleasant. Review official updates before departure and be willing to change the plan. The best backup is one your group already understands, not a last-minute detour chosen because it looks open on a phone screen.
Leave a reliable check-in plan
Share the itinerary with someone outside the riding group. Include the staging area, intended route, expected return time, and a contact method. If your plan changes, update that person when you have reliable coverage rather than assuming they will know you made a safe adjustment.
Agree on what counts as a late return and what the contact person should do if you miss your check-in. This is especially important for remote rides where a minor mechanical problem can delay the group without indicating an emergency. A simple, clear plan helps avoid both unnecessary alarm and a delayed response when help is genuinely needed.
When you return, check in promptly. If the day ran late, let your contact know where you are and whether you need assistance. For camping or multi-day travel, repeat the check-in process each day rather than relying on the first day’s plan to cover the whole trip.
Choose a place to stay and stage
Match lodging to the riding plan
Camping near a riding area can make an early start easier, but campsite access, vehicle rules, and services vary. Verify whether the site allows trailers, whether you can park a machine there, and how far it is from the legal staging area. A campground that looks close on a map may not provide a permitted route for riding out.
Hotels and cabins offer different conveniences, such as showers, meals, and a place to dry wet gear. Ask about trailer parking before booking, especially in a busy mountain town where parking space can be limited. If you are travelling with several machines, confirm that the arrangement works for the entire group rather than assuming there will be room on arrival.
If you plan to camp, review the land manager’s camping rules and use established sites where required. Keep food and equipment secure, follow fire restrictions, and avoid blocking roads or trail access. [Camping Beside Colorado OHV Trails] can help you think through the practicalities of staying close to a route.
Confirm staging and parking details
Staging areas can have limits on trailer size, parking duration, or available space. Check the location in advance, and arrive with enough time to unload without rushing. A large trailer may need more room to turn around than the road or lot can provide.
Have a plan for where the tow vehicle and trailer will stay during the ride. Don’t block a gate, access road, or space needed by another group. If the primary staging area is full, use an approved alternative rather than parking somewhere that creates a hazard or violates local rules.
Before leaving the lot, secure loose gear and confirm that the group has the route, communication plan, and emergency supplies. A few minutes of preparation at the trailhead can prevent an avoidable stop later. It is also a good time to review posted notices, because trailhead signs may contain information that differs from what you saw during earlier planning.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
