Grand Mesa Lakes Loop Riding
Grand Mesa’s lakes make an appealing backdrop for an ATV or UTV day, but “the lakes loop” can be confusing: riders may use the phrase for a route they’ve pieced together, not one signed, official circuit. This guide explains how to plan a legal ride, choose connected roads and trails, and make the most of the Mesa without assuming every lakeside route is open to motorized travel.
What to Know About Grand Mesa Lakes Loop Riding
Treat the loop as a route you plan, not a guaranteed signed circuit
Grand Mesa has a broad network of motorized routes, but a lakes-focused ride may involve several roads or trails rather than one continuous, signed loop with a single starting point. Routes can connect differently depending on your vehicle, current seasonal gates, and which roads are open. That’s why a line that looks like a neat circuit on a general map may not work as a legal or practical ride.
Start by choosing a staging area and a few lakes or viewpoints you’d like to visit. Then check whether the routes between them are specifically open to motorized use. A lake appearing on a map does not mean you can ride directly to its shore, park beside the water, or use every nearby track. Stay on designated routes and follow signs at intersections, even if your map app appears to show a more convenient shortcut.
The broader trail network is a useful starting point for planning, but don’t assume every listed route forms part of your preferred circuit. [Grand Mesa's 150 Miles of Trails] and [Grand Mesa Trail Mileage] can help you understand the scale of the area; your actual ride still needs to be checked against current route information.
Choose a starting point that fits your day
Many visitors approach the Grand Mesa from the west side using the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, Colorado Highway 65. The Mesa Lakes area is a natural reference point for a lakes-focused outing, but a good starting point depends on where you’re coming from, where you can legally stage your machine, and which routes are open. Confirm parking and trail access before unloading; a roadside pullout or a busy recreation-area lot may not be suitable for a trailer.
Think about your group’s priorities before setting out. If your main goal is a scenic ride with lake stops, build in time to get off the machine, walk to viewpoints where permitted, and enjoy the surroundings. If the group is more interested in covering distance, prioritize connected motorized routes and allow less time for stops. Either way, leave enough flexibility for a gate, a muddy section, or a route that turns out not to connect as expected.
The Mesa is high country, and a short-looking ride can take longer than expected because of slow travel, rough surfaces, changing weather, and elevation. A conservative plan is especially helpful if anyone in the group is new to riding, unfamiliar with mountain terrain, or traveling with children. For a broader sense of route options, see [Family-Friendly Colorado OHV Trails] and [Colorado Trails Suited to Beginners].
Match your route to your machine and experience
Not every route is appropriate for every ATV or UTV. Width, turning space, surface, grade, and exposure all matter. A full-size side-by-side may be too wide for a route that works for a smaller ATV, while a narrow or rocky trail may be uncomfortable for a newer rider even when the machine can physically pass through.
Check route designations and restrictions before you go, and compare them with your machine’s dimensions and the group’s ability. Don’t rely on the assumption that a route is suitable just because another rider has posted a photo or track from the area. User-generated routes may be outdated, incomplete, or intended for a different vehicle type. [Colorado Trails Rated for Full-Size Vehicles] and [Trail Difficulty Ratings and What They Mean] are useful topics to review when deciding whether a route fits your setup.
A simple planning table can help you avoid overloading the day:
| Planning choice | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Legal staging, parking capacity, and trailer access | A route plan is no use if you cannot unload safely |
| Machine | Width, ground clearance, and passenger capacity | Some routes may not suit larger or lower-clearance machines |
| Route | Authorized motorized use and seasonal status | Nearby roads and trails may have different rules |
| Group pace | Rider experience and comfort at elevation | The slowest or least experienced rider sets the practical pace |
| Stops | Legal parking and walking access near lakes | Riding to a lake does not automatically mean access to the shoreline |
How to Plan a Legal and Manageable Ride
Check the Motor Vehicle Use Map and posted signs
Before riding, consult the applicable Motor Vehicle Use Map, often called an MVUM, for the area you plan to visit. It identifies routes designated for motorized use and can show seasonal restrictions or vehicle-specific limitations. Read the map carefully: a road shown for one type of use may not be open to every motorized vehicle, and a route that appears on a general recreation map may not be designated for your machine.
OnX Offroad can be helpful for reviewing route lines and organizing a planned ride, but use it as a planning aid rather than as the final authority on access. Compare the route with the relevant MVUM and pay attention to posted signs and temporary closures once you arrive. If the map, app, or sign information seems to conflict, don’t assume the most permissive interpretation is correct. Pause and confirm the route before continuing.
It also helps to save your route and map information before leaving reliable cell coverage. Grand Mesa riding can take you through areas where a phone connection is weak or unavailable. [Reading a Colorado Motor Vehicle Use Map] explains why map details matter, while [Colorado Trail Closures and Where They Are Posted] is a useful reminder to check for restrictions before and during a trip.
Plan around seasonal openings and changing conditions
Grand Mesa’s elevation brings a riding season that can feel very different from the one in the valleys below. Snow, lingering wet ground, mud, and seasonal gates can affect which routes are open and whether a trail is in good shape. A sunny morning in town does not guarantee dry or comfortable conditions higher on the mesa.
Check access information close to your departure and again when you reach the area. Don’t ride around a closed gate or take a muddy route simply because it appears passable. Wet ground is easy to rut, and damage can linger long after a ride. If conditions are soft, turning around protects the trail and may save you from getting stuck.
The timing of your visit can shape the whole day. [Colorado's High-Altitude Riding Season] and [Colorado Trails Open in July] offer useful context for thinking about seasonal access, but current closures and local signs should guide your final decision. If you’re planning an early-season trip, keep a backup route—or be ready to switch to a different activity.
Make sure your permit and registration are in order
Colorado OHV requirements depend on the machine, the rider, and where the vehicle will be used. Before you travel, confirm which registration or permit applies to your situation, and check whether your machine qualifies for any relevant exemption. Don’t assume that riding a short distance, being close to a recreation area, or having a street-legal plate removes all permit requirements.
Nonresident visitors should check the state’s rules for machines brought in from elsewhere. A permit or registration from your home state may not automatically replace what Colorado requires for a particular type of riding. For background, review [Colorado OHV Permits for Out-of-State Riders] and [Colorado Permit Rules on Public Land]. If you’re unsure which category your machine falls into, verify the requirement before unloading rather than trying to sort it out at a trailhead.
Keep required documents accessible and make sure each rider understands where the group is allowed to go. A little paperwork preparation is much less frustrating than discovering a registration or permit issue after the trailer is already parked.
What the Ride Is Like Around the Lakes
Expect a scenic day, not a shoreline-to-shoreline trail
A lakes-focused ride is as much about the setting as the route. Grand Mesa’s forests, open views, and high-country water make for memorable stops, but the ride may include stretches between lakes and viewpoints rather than a continuous trail right beside the water. Plan to park only where allowed, then walk to a lake access point if signs and local rules permit it.
Give yourself more time than a mileage estimate might suggest. Riders stop to check signs, regroup at intersections, let faster traffic pass, and take breaks. If the weather shifts or a section is rougher than expected, the group may travel more slowly than planned. Setting a relaxed pace makes it easier to enjoy the scenery without feeling pressured to reach every planned stop.
Keep lake areas peaceful and leave room for other visitors. Avoid riding through vegetation, creating new tracks to get closer to the water, or crowding picnic and recreation spaces with machines. A good lakes loop should leave the area looking much as it did when you arrived.
Prepare for elevation, sun, and quick weather changes
At high elevation, the sun can feel strong even when the air is cool. Bring water, sun protection, warm layers, and rain gear, and keep those items easy to reach. Weather can change quickly; clouds, wind, and a brief shower can make an exposed section feel very different from the conditions at the trailhead.
Pay attention to how everyone in the group is feeling. Headache, nausea, unusual fatigue, or dizziness can be signs that someone needs to stop, rest, and take the situation seriously. Don’t treat discomfort as something to push through just to finish a route. [Water and Sun at 11,000 Feet] offers useful preparation reminders for high-elevation outings.
Pack for a longer day than the plan suggests. A basic first-aid kit, charged phone, offline maps, snacks, and a way to communicate if the group separates can all help. For a remote ride, consider whether your group needs additional emergency communication or recovery equipment based on the route and conditions.
Ride with care around other visitors and wildlife
Grand Mesa is shared by more than OHV riders. You may encounter hikers, anglers, campers, cyclists, wildlife, and other vehicles. Slow down near recreation areas, trail intersections, and places where visibility is limited. Dust can be unpleasant for people at campsites and lakes, so ease off the throttle when passing others and give them room.
Stay on designated routes, keep noise under control, and avoid disturbing wildlife. If you see animals near the trail, reduce speed and give them space to move away. Don’t follow them, crowd them, or stop in a way that blocks the route for others.
A thoughtful ride also means following posted rules even when the area appears quiet. Temporary closures can protect wet trails, wildlife, or public safety. If a route is marked closed, turn back and use your backup plan rather than trying to find a way around the restriction.
A Practical Day-Trip Planning Checklist
Build a flexible route before leaving home
A good plan starts with a destination but leaves room for change. Choose the lakes or viewpoints that matter most to your group, identify legal motorized routes between them, and decide where you can turn around if conditions or timing change. OnX Offroad can help you organize a route and see how your planned segments fit together, but cross-check those segments with the official MVUM and local signs. Save the map for offline use if your app supports it.
It can help to share the plan with everyone before the machines start. Point out the meeting place, the intended stops, and what the group will do if riders get separated. Agree on a turnaround time rather than waiting until someone is tired or the weather is moving in. A practical itinerary might include one main scenic objective, a second optional stop, and a clear return plan.
If your party includes riders with different experience levels, keep the route adaptable. Set a pace that allows everyone to remain comfortable, and avoid making the least experienced rider feel pressured to keep up. A shorter ride that everyone enjoys is usually a better day than a longer route that leaves someone anxious or exhausted.
Use this checklist at the trailhead
Before unloading, take a few minutes to verify the essentials:
- Confirm that the intended routes are open and designated for your machine.
- Check posted signs for temporary restrictions or route changes.
- Make sure permits, registration, and required documents are in order.
- Review the route, regrouping points, and turnaround plan with the group.
- Confirm that each machine has enough fuel for the planned ride and a reasonable delay.
- Pack water, food, warm layers, rain protection, and basic first-aid supplies.
- Save offline maps and make sure riders know how to use them.
- Park and unload only where permitted, without blocking access for others.
OnX Offroad can be useful for keeping the group oriented, especially when route choices branch or cell service fades. Still, don’t let a moving map replace attention to signs, closures, and the terrain ahead. If a junction is unclear, stop somewhere safe and check the route together instead of making a rushed turn.
Leave room for the unexpected
A lake loop is easiest to enjoy when you treat the plan as a guide rather than a promise. A closed route, muddy stretch, slow-moving group, or passing storm may change your itinerary. Turn back when conditions call for it, and don’t try to recover lost time by riding faster or taking an unmarked shortcut.
If your plan changes, tell the group and regroup before continuing. Keep an eye on daylight and weather, and leave enough time to return to your staging area without rushing. For additional staging and access considerations, see [Colorado Trailhead Parking and Staging].
That approach makes Grand Mesa lakes loop riding more enjoyable and more responsible: check access before you go, ride only where permitted, and let the conditions shape the day.
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.
