Animas Forks Ghost Town by OHV
A visit to Animas Forks can look simple on a map, but high-altitude roads, changing conditions, and route restrictions can turn a casual OHV outing into a stressful day. This guide explains how to plan a responsible ride to the historic ghost town, choose an approach, prepare your machine and group, and explore the site without treating the journey like an ordinary drive.
Plan your OHV visit to Animas Forks
Animas Forks is a historic mining settlement in the San Juan Mountains, reached by rugged routes associated with Colorado’s Alpine Loop. The setting is part of the appeal: weathered buildings and mountain scenery make a memorable stop. But the same high-country location means riders need to plan for changing road conditions, limited services, and a longer day than the map may suggest.
Before you settle on a route, check which roads are open and appropriate for your machine. A route shown on a navigation app is not automatically open to motorized travel, and seasonal gates or local restrictions can change your options. Review official land-management information and a current Motor Vehicle Use Map, then compare it with recent condition reports. [Downloading a Motor Vehicle Use Map] and [Colorado Trail Conditions Reports] can help you build that routine.
Choose a route that fits your group
Animas Forks is commonly included in Alpine Loop itineraries connecting the Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City areas. Your starting point affects the character and length of the day, as well as how much high-country travel you take on. Some groups plan a loop; others ride in and return the way they came. Neither approach is automatically best. The right choice depends on road openings, vehicle suitability, rider experience, and how much time you have.
Think beyond the destination when choosing a route. A capable driver may be comfortable with a narrow, uneven mountain road, while a first-time passenger may find the exposure or rough surface tiring. A group with several machines will also travel at the pace of its least experienced rider, not the fastest machine. If you’re comparing route directions, [Alpine Loop Mileage and Direction of Travel] offers useful context, while [Engineer Pass From Ouray and Lake City] and [Cinnamon Pass From Lake City] help you explore the main approaches.
| Planning question | Why it matters | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Where are you starting? | The approach affects your route, turnaround options, and total time out. | Map the full ride from your staging point, not just the final stretch to Animas Forks. |
| Which roads are open? | Seasonal closures and local conditions can change access. | Check current official notices and a Motor Vehicle Use Map before leaving. |
| What can your machine handle? | Width, ground clearance, tires, and condition affect which routes are suitable. | Compare your machine’s limits with route information and avoid forcing a poor fit. |
| Who is riding with you? | Experience, comfort, and altitude tolerance shape a safe group pace. | Agree on a conservative plan and turnaround point before the ride. |
| How will you navigate? | Cell service may be unreliable in remote mountain terrain. | Download maps in advance and carry a backup map or navigation method. |
Build a realistic day plan
The ride is not just the time spent moving. Allow for unloading, checking equipment, regrouping, taking breaks, exploring the site, and dealing with unexpected delays. Mountain weather can change quickly, and a slow section or minor mechanical issue can add time. If your plan only works when everything goes perfectly, it is too tight.
Set a turnaround time before you start. This gives your group a clear point at which to head back, even if you have not explored every road or photo stop. For example, if the ride is taking longer than expected before you reach the site, a planned turnaround prevents the temptation to push on simply because the destination feels close. Keep your itinerary flexible enough to accommodate road conditions without pressuring anyone to ride beyond their comfort level.
Prepare for the road, altitude, and weather
Animas Forks sits in high mountain country, where the conditions can feel very different from a lower-elevation trailhead. The air is thinner, temperatures can shift, and sun exposure can be intense even when the air feels cool. Riders sometimes pack for a warm afternoon in town and discover that a breezy stop at elevation feels much colder. Bring layers, water, sun protection, and enough food for delays.
A high-altitude ride also asks more of both people and machines. Give yourself time to acclimate if you have just arrived from a lower elevation, and do not ignore symptoms such as unusual breathlessness, headache, dizziness, or nausea. Turn around and seek appropriate help if someone feels seriously unwell. For more preparation ideas, see [Riding Above Treeline in Colorado] and [Water and Sun at 11,000 Feet].
Inspect the machine before leaving
A quick check at the trailhead is easier than troubleshooting a preventable problem on a remote road. Confirm that tires are in good condition and properly suited to the route, brakes feel reliable, controls work smoothly, and lights are functioning. Check fuel before you leave town, and do not assume there will be a convenient place to refuel near the ghost town. If your machine has a known issue—such as a weak battery, damaged tire, or overheating tendency—address it before the ride rather than hoping it holds together.
Carry basic supplies that match your machine and your group’s ability to use them. A tire repair kit, tools for common adjustments, a first-aid kit, and recovery gear can be useful, but equipment only helps if someone knows how to use it safely. Avoid attempting a recovery that could put a person in the path of a machine or pull equipment toward an unstable edge. [What to Carry Over a High Pass] and [Flat Tires on a Rocky Trail] offer additional planning prompts.
Pack for a day without reliable cell service
Do not make a phone signal the foundation of your navigation or emergency plan. Download maps before leaving service, keep devices charged, and consider a paper map as a backup. A GPS app such as onX Offroad can help you follow routes offline when you prepare the maps in advance, but it should supplement—not replace—official route information and good judgment. Check that you know how to use the app before you are on a confusing junction with a group waiting behind you.
Tell someone who is not riding with you where you plan to go and when you expect to return. Carry a way to contact help that does not depend on ordinary cell coverage if your trip takes you into remote terrain. Agree on what the group will do if machines become separated or someone has to stop. Simple arrangements—such as regrouping at marked junctions and never leaving a rider alone—can prevent a small delay from becoming a bigger problem.
Explore the ghost town respectfully
Animas Forks is more than a scenic turnaround. Its historic structures are fragile reminders of the mining community that once occupied this mountain setting. Weather, age, and repeated visitor contact can take a toll, so treat buildings and historic features as you would want others to treat a place you care about. Observe posted notices, stay out of closed or unsafe areas, and do not remove objects or leave marks.
The best visit is often an unhurried one. Park only where permitted, give other visitors room, and take time to look around without climbing on structures or disturbing the site. Keep children close, especially around old buildings, uneven ground, and areas where sightlines are limited. If a feature appears unstable, admire it from a safe distance rather than testing it.
Ride and park with care
Approach slowly near the site and watch for pedestrians, other riders, and vehicles moving in unexpected directions. Dust can linger on a dry day, so reduce speed and leave space between machines. If your group stops to regroup or take photos, use a location that does not block the route or crowd other visitors. A quiet, orderly stop makes the experience better for everyone.
Stay on authorized routes and established parking areas. Riding around a closed gate, cutting across vegetation, or taking a shortcut around a muddy spot can damage land and create problems for future access. If conditions make a section feel unsuitable, pause and reconsider rather than widening the track to get around it. The route is part of the visit, not an obstacle to bypass.
Keep the group comfortable and together
People often have different ideas about how long to spend at a historic site. Before you arrive, agree on how long the group will stop and where everyone will meet before leaving. This matters especially when riders walk around separately, take photographs, or explore at different paces. Pick an obvious meeting spot and make sure nobody leaves without checking that the whole group is accounted for.
Small comforts can make the stop more enjoyable. Bring water and an extra layer where they are easy to reach, rather than buried under gear. Take breaks before someone is exhausted, and watch for signs that altitude or cold is affecting a rider. If a passenger is anxious about the road or a rider is tiring, it is sensible to shorten the visit or head back. A good day is not measured by how many miles you complete.
Handle access, navigation, and return planning
Access to Animas Forks depends on open, authorized roads and current conditions. Do not assume that a route is available just because another rider posted about it, or because it appears on a general-purpose map. Check closure notices and the relevant land manager’s information before your trip, then confirm the route as you go. If a sign or closure order conflicts with your plan, follow the restriction and choose another option.
Navigation tools are most useful when you understand their limits. Apps can show route lines and your location, but they may not explain whether a road is currently open, whether a particular machine is suitable, or whether a local restriction applies. Use onX Offroad or another offline mapping tool to help with orientation, and compare what you see with official route information. [Carrying a Paper Map Above Treeline] is a good reminder that a non-digital backup is worthwhile in remote country.
Know when to turn around
Turning around is not a failed trip. It is a normal decision when weather worsens, a road is rougher than expected, a machine develops a problem, or a rider no longer feels comfortable. Make that call early enough that the group can return with daylight and energy to spare. Waiting until everyone is tired or conditions have deteriorated makes choices harder.
Set a few clear reasons to reconsider the plan before you start. These might include an unexpected closure, a storm building nearby, a mechanical warning, a rider feeling unwell, or a route that proves too narrow or exposed for your machine. A group that agrees in advance that any rider can call for a pause or turnaround is less likely to pressure someone into continuing.
Finish the ride with a final check
Before leaving the site, account for everyone, check that your group has its belongings, and make sure machines are ready for the return route. Recheck fuel and look for signs of a developing issue, such as a tire losing air or a warning light. The return trip can feel longer than the outward ride, especially after time spent at elevation, so keep the pace measured and take breaks when needed.
When you return to your staging area, look over the machines again and note anything that needs attention before your next outing. If you found a closure, hazard, or damaged section, report it through the appropriate land-management channel rather than posting directions around a restriction. For planning where to leave a trailer or organize your starting point, [Colorado Trailhead Parking and Staging] is a useful companion topic. A little care after the ride helps protect both your equipment and the routes that make trips to places like Animas Forks possible.
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.
