Rico Area Riding in Southwest Colorado
Rico offers a quieter base for riding in southwest Colorado, but its mountain roads and trails can be harder to interpret than a casual map suggests. Routes may be narrow, seasonal, or closed to motorized use, and weather can change conditions quickly. This guide explains how to plan a responsible Rico-area ATV or UTV ride, choose suitable routes, and prepare for remote terrain.
What makes Rico a distinctive place to ride
A small mountain town with remote riding nearby
Rico sits along Colorado Highway 145 between Dolores and Telluride, in a high-elevation landscape of forest, steep slopes, and historic mining country. It can feel like a convenient jumping-off point, but the quiet setting is part of the challenge: trail services are limited compared with larger towns, and a short drive from town can lead into remote country.
Riding here is less about expecting a clearly marked, self-contained ATV park and more about understanding which roads and routes are open to your machine. Public-land access, route designations, seasonal gates, and local restrictions all matter. A road that looks promising on a general map may not be designated for motorized use, or may be too narrow or rough for a full-size side-by-side.
Rico is also a place to be considerate of residents and other visitors. Keep speeds low near homes and town streets, avoid creating unnecessary dust, and do not assume that a route through or near town is open to OHVs. Check the rules for each road segment before riding from your lodging or campsite.
Expect a different ride from a groomed OHV park
The area’s appeal is its mountain setting, not a promise of easy, managed loops. Depending on the route, riders may encounter uneven surfaces, loose rock, steep grades, narrow sections, water or drainage features, and changing weather. Those conditions can make a modest distance take longer than expected, especially when a group includes different vehicles or experience levels.
A route that suits a dirt bike may not suit a wide UTV. Even a machine that fits between trees at the start may be uncomfortable on a tight switchback or a narrow shelf section. Before choosing a route, compare the terrain with your vehicle’s width, turning radius, ground clearance, tires, and recovery equipment. For broader trip-planning ideas, start with [Where to Ride an OHV in Colorado] and then narrow your search to the Rico area.
It helps to decide what kind of day you want before you unload. A relaxed scenic outing calls for a different route and pace than a technical ride. If there is uncertainty about a road’s surface, width, or legal status, choose a clearly designated alternative rather than trying to find out after committing your group to a difficult section.
How to confirm Rico-area routes are open and suitable
Check official route designations, not just map lines
The most important planning step is verifying that a route is open to motorized use for your vehicle type. Forest roads, trails, and unmarked tracks can appear similar on a screen, but their legal designations may differ. Use the applicable Motor Vehicle Use Map and current land-manager notices to confirm route status, seasonal dates, and any restrictions.
A useful workflow is to identify a few candidate routes, check each one on the official map, and then look for closure notices or temporary restrictions before departure. Pay attention to the route number, the start and end points, and any connecting segments. A legal route can still lead to a junction where the next segment is closed or not designated for your machine.
Digital tools can make this comparison easier, but they should not replace official route information. onX Offroad can help riders view route networks and plan around terrain, while the official map and land-manager notices are the references to check for legal access and current closures. For a step-by-step map-reading refresher, see [Reading a Colorado Motor Vehicle Use Map] and [Colorado Trail Conditions Reports].
Understand seasonal access and changing conditions
High-elevation routes can be affected by snow, mud, runoff, maintenance, fire activity, and resource-protection closures. A route that was rideable during a previous visit may not be open or in suitable condition on the day you return. Seasonal dates are not a guarantee that every road is passable; local conditions and temporary orders can change the practical picture.
Mud deserves special attention. Riding a soft or saturated road can deepen ruts, damage drainage, and make later travel harder for everyone. If tires are sinking, water is flowing across the route, or the surface is breaking apart, turn around rather than widening the track to get around a bad section. That is especially important on steep mountain terrain, where erosion can spread quickly.
Check conditions close to your ride date and again before leaving town. If you are uncertain whether a gate is seasonal or whether a closure applies to your route, ask the responsible land manager or a knowledgeable local visitor office. For a broader sense of the riding season, review [When Colorado OHV Trails Open Each Summer] and [Colorado's High-Altitude Riding Season].
Match the route to your vehicle’s width and ability
Route difficulty is not only about steepness. Width, turning space, exposure, surface quality, and room to pass can make a route challenging even when the grade looks manageable. A full-size UTV may be limited by tight turns or narrow trail infrastructure, while a smaller machine can still face demanding climbs or loose descents.
Before you commit, compare the route’s published restrictions and terrain with the vehicle’s actual width, including accessories such as mirrors, wheels, or cargo. Do not rely on a general label like “easy” as a guarantee that every machine will fit comfortably. If your group has a mix of ATVs and side-by-sides, plan around the largest vehicle and the least experienced rider.
A good rule is to turn around before a route becomes a recovery problem. If a narrow section leaves no safe passing room, if the machine is scraping regularly, or if the terrain is beyond the group’s comfort level, backtrack while the return remains manageable. The guides [Colorado Trails Rated for Full-Size Vehicles] and [Narrow Trails and Machine Width] can help you think through vehicle fit before you leave.
| Planning question | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Is motorized use allowed? | Official route designation and current notices | A visible road or track is not automatically open to OHVs |
| Is the route open today? | Seasonal dates, gates, and temporary closures | Snow, mud, fire activity, or maintenance can change access |
| Will my vehicle fit? | Width, turning room, surface, and vehicle restrictions | A route suitable for a small ATV may not suit a wide UTV |
| Can the group manage the terrain? | Grades, exposure, experience, and recovery options | A slow, difficult section can affect the whole group |
| Can we finish safely? | Fuel, daylight, communications, and turnaround plan | Remote rides leave less room for last-minute changes |
Planning a safe and comfortable ride
Build a route plan with a realistic turnaround point
A reliable ride plan starts with a route that you can explain to someone else. Note the intended roads or trails, junctions, expected turnaround point, and a backup option. Save the route offline before leaving cell coverage, and carry a paper map or other independent navigation method. Screens can lose power, break, or fail to load when you most need them.
onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing route options and keeping a digital plan available, particularly when you save the information before heading into a dead zone. Still, confirm route legality with official sources and carry a backup. A navigation app can help you understand where you are; it cannot make a closed road legal or guarantee that the track is passable.
Set a turnaround time as well as a distance goal. If the group is moving slowly, if weather is building, or if a route is rougher than expected, turn around while there is still enough daylight for the return. Reaching a specific viewpoint or junction is optional; getting everyone back safely is the plan.
Prepare for altitude, weather, and remote conditions
At elevation, a ride can feel demanding even when the distance is short. Give yourself time to adjust, drink water regularly, and avoid treating a long day at altitude like an ordinary lowland outing. Cold, wind, sun, and afternoon storms can all affect comfort and decision-making. Pack layers and rain protection even when the morning is warm.
Bring the essentials that match the route and group: water, food, first-aid supplies, basic repair tools, a tire repair kit, and recovery gear appropriate to your machine. Tell someone where you intend to ride and when you expect to return. If your planned route crosses remote country, consider how you will call for help when a phone has no service.
Cell coverage can be unreliable in mountain terrain, so download maps and route details before leaving town and do not depend on a live connection. onX Offroad may help with offline planning when set up ahead of time, but it is wise to carry another navigation option and a way to communicate in an emergency. See [Cell Dead Zones in the San Juans] and [What to Carry Over a High Pass] for additional preparation ideas.
Plan fuel and time conservatively
Fuel planning should include more than the distance shown on a map. Steep grades, slow speeds, repeated stops, soft surfaces, and high-altitude operation can affect consumption. Start with a full tank, know your machine’s realistic range under demanding conditions, and leave a reserve for detours or a slower-than-expected return.
Do not assume you will find fuel at the trailhead or along a remote route. Confirm where fuel is available in the towns you plan to use, and avoid building a trip around a stop you have not checked. For a group, make sure the shortest-range machine sets the fuel plan rather than assuming every vehicle will perform the same way.
A ride that looks like a half-day outing on a map can stretch if the group stops for photos, encounters rough ground, or needs to turn around. Leave a margin for the return, a mechanical issue, and changing weather. For more detail on estimating needs, see [Fuel Planning for a Colorado Trail Day].
Riding responsibly around Rico
Stay on designated routes and protect the landscape
The safest and most responsible choice is to remain on routes designated for your vehicle. Riding around a gate, crossing a meadow to bypass mud, or creating a new line around an obstacle can cause lasting damage and may violate land-use rules. If a route is blocked or deteriorating, turn around and report the issue through the appropriate land-management channel.
Avoid spinning tires or accelerating hard on loose slopes. It can feel like a small moment of fun, but repeated wheelspin strips soil and makes a route harder for the next rider. Slow, steady driving is usually kinder to the trail and gives the driver more control.
Keep an eye out for wildlife, hikers, cyclists, horse users, and other vehicles. Reduce speed where visibility is limited, yield appropriately, and give other users room. In a quiet mountain area, noise carries; a considerate pace and a properly maintained exhaust help preserve the experience for residents and visitors alike.
Be thoughtful about town access and local residents
Rico is a community, not simply a trail staging area. Do not assume that an OHV can legally use every street, road, or driveway in town. Confirm local rules before riding between lodging, a fuel stop, and a trailhead. If road access is not clearly allowed, trailer the machine to a designated staging area rather than improvising a route through town.
Keep machines quiet near homes, avoid revving engines while loading or unloading, and park so you do not block driveways or access roads. If you are staying in a cabin or campground, ask the property manager where trailers and machines may be parked. These small courtesies matter in a small community where a few noisy or inconsiderate visitors can affect how residents feel about recreation access.
Be equally careful on private land. A nearby road, ranch entrance, or inviting open space is not permission to ride there. If a route depends on access across private property, get clear permission from the landowner before entering. The guide [Written Permission Before Riding Private Land] offers a useful reminder about why assumptions can create problems.
Know your permit and paperwork responsibilities
Before riding, confirm which registration or permit applies to your machine and where you intend to use it. Requirements can depend on whether you are a Colorado resident, a visitor, or operating a plated vehicle. Do not assume that a permit from another state automatically satisfies Colorado requirements on designated routes or public land.
Keep the required documentation accessible, and check that the machine’s identifying information and permit display meet the applicable rules. If you are visiting from out of state, review [Colorado OHV Permits for Out-of-State Riders] before your trip. If your machine is plated, check the rules that apply to plated vehicles rather than assuming the plate alone settles the permit question.
For riders unfamiliar with Colorado’s broader trail network, it may help to read [Colorado Permit Rules on Public Land] and [Colorado Trail Closures and Where They Are Posted]. Requirements and route access are separate questions: having the right permit does not authorize riding on a closed or undesignated route.
Making the most of a Rico-area trip
Choose a base and staging plan that fits your group
Rico can work as a quieter base for exploring the southwest Colorado region, but it is important to plan where you will park, unload, and store your machine. Confirm trailer access and parking with your lodging provider before arrival. Some accommodations may have limited space, tight turns, or no designated trailer area.
If your trip includes more than one riding day, consider how you will handle weather changes, mechanical issues, and rest days. A flexible itinerary is more enjoyable than a rigid checklist of destinations. Leave room to shorten a ride if conditions worsen, and avoid making a remote route the only reason your entire trip can continue.
For camping, verify the specific site’s rules, vehicle access, and proximity to legal routes. A campsite near a road does not necessarily mean you can ride directly from the site onto every nearby track. The planning guide [Dispersed Camping Near a Trailhead] can help you think through access, parking, and campsite choices.
Build an itinerary around conditions, not just scenery
Rico’s mountain setting can make a route look close on a map while the actual travel takes much longer. Steep roads, switchbacks, surface conditions, and stops all affect pace. Plan a shorter first ride if the group is new to the area, then adjust future days based on how the machines and riders handled the terrain.
Use a conservative hierarchy when choosing routes: first confirm legal access, then vehicle fit, then conditions, then the group’s comfort and available time. A scenic route that fails one of those checks is not the right choice for that day. Keep a second option that is shorter or easier, and be willing to use it.
onX Offroad can help organize candidate routes and offline navigation, but a strong itinerary also depends on current official information and local judgment. Before setting out, review the intended route from start to finish, including return options and any junctions where the group might accidentally enter a restricted segment.
A practical pre-ride checklist
A little preparation can prevent the most common frustrations: arriving at a closed gate, discovering a machine will not fit, running short on fuel, or losing a route when service disappears. Use this checklist the evening before and again before unloading.
- Confirm the route is designated for your vehicle and check current closures.
- Review seasonal access and recent weather conditions.
- Check vehicle width, tires, brakes, lights, and fuel range.
- Download maps and route details, and carry a backup navigation option.
- Pack water, layers, food, first aid, repair supplies, and recovery gear.
- Tell someone your route and return time.
- Identify a turnaround point and an easier backup route.
- Confirm local rules for town streets, staging, parking, permits, and private land.
The best Rico-area ride is not necessarily the longest one. It is the outing that fits your machine and your group, respects the route designation, and leaves enough time and fuel to get back without rushing.
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.
