Colorado is filled with ATV trails, but not all are equally calm or accessible to beginners. Whether you are new to ATV trails yourself, you're bringing kids along for the ride, or you just prefer the more scenery-focused trails out there, these paths are your best bet for a fun ATV adventure.
Red Feather Lakes
Image via Flickr by KimonBerlin
This beautiful area of Roosevelt National Forest is filled with over 100 miles of double-track ATV trails, with the majority ranging from beginner to intermediate difficulty. There are also several dirt bike trails, although these are more uneven and challenging. If you live near Larimer County, this is a great place to try out due to its wealth of choices and varying difficulty.
If Red Feather lakes sounds perfect for you, be certain that you have a map so that you know which trails to check out and where to find them. If Roosevelt National Forest is a convenient trip, you should also consider Lake Isabelle Trail during the summer.
Wagon Wheel Trail System
Northwest Colorado is full of great opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, and more, and that's especially true for off-highway vehicle riding. One of the best options is the Wagon Wheel Trail System, with a variety of beginner and expert trails, straight paths, and loops.
There are two main sections of this trail system. The eastern section features many interconnecting trails looping through White River National Forest, and you'll find plenty of historic sites and forested mountain views. The western section is even bigger and offers more gentle options, with more groomed land and gravel.
Colorado State Forest State Park
Considered the moose-watching capital of Colorado, this state park near Walden has lovely campgrounds and 60 miles of OHV trails. Once you get used to these paths and want something tougher, the park has trails with more technical and rugged terrain as well.
Be sure to stop by the Moose Visitor Center when you first arrive to get maps and tips on where to begin. That said, you can't go wrong with Ruby Jewel Trail and its stunning views of mountains, lakes, and forests all close together. Also make time for Montgomery Pass Trail with endless, rolling hills of flowers and rich grass.
Engineer Pass
If you don't mind an uphill ascent and some bumpy terrain, Engineer Pass is a nice mountain climb with mostly direct, straight roads. The gradual climb up the San Juan Mountains leads to some of the most vast and gorgeous views in the entire Centennial State, including full panoramic spots with thousands of mountain peaks in view. Just be certain that you try this trail on a bright and dry day, because once it gets wet or dark you're in for a much greater challenge.
As long as you take this several-hour trail at a leisurely pace, you should be able to stop by each of the mines and other historic attractions up the mountain. That way, you can turn one medium-length trail into a full day of outdoor fun.
Sevenmile Creek
This 7.1-mile trail features a number of creeks to cross, and is much more challenging in the winter. Between March and October, however, Sevenmile Creek trail is a solid challenge without being overwhelmingly difficult. Think of this one as an ATV driver's basic obstacle course. You'll face winding paths, washed-out stone, rocky and muddy spots, but also many neat side roads to explore and some camping spots.
The second half of Sevenmile Creek is more challenging than the first, opening up to pleasant forest paths that you can coast along. If you can't get enough of this type of Colorado terrain, your journey doesn't have to end at Sevenmile Creek Trail. Some off-roaders who want a longer and more complex adventure combine Sevenmile with Bald Mountain Road and Kelly Flats.
Middle St. Vrain Trail
Finishing up this list is a 6.2-mile trail near Lyons known for colorful wildflowers. Like many mountainous trails in Colorado, the path becomes much more difficult in the cold and wet months, but ranges from beginner to intermediate when dry. Middle St. Vrain is a classic gradual trek upward, which levels out and become less steep as you go. Don't be intimidated when you begin your ascent, because coming back down the other way is a blast.
Every ATV rider has their own idea of what constitutes a beginner-friendly trail, but in dry weather each of these options is guaranteed to offer a relatively stress- and cumbersome-free experience. Whichever of these trails sounds like the most convenient option and the best fit for your ATV, give it a try and test out your riding skills.
