4 Wheeling in Colorado
Colorado’s natural scenery makes it a perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The diverse landscape offers opportunities for fishing/ice fishing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, skiing, snow tubing and more. Whether you’re a local or traveling, Colorado has plenty to do for the entire family. One of our favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors and some good fun? Hitting one of the many ATV or off-highway-vehicle Colorado trails in the state. Many would agree that 4 wheeling in Colorado is one of the best ways to spend a weekend or a vacation trip.
Here are our favorite spots to enjoy some 4 wheeling action that isn’t too far from the Denver area. Any of these three prime trail-riding locations will make for an excellent days excursion for you and your friends.
ATV Tours Colorado
Red Feather Lakes
ATV Tours & Rentals
- Unguided tours, available rentals for half-day and full day
- Many offroad trails to select
- Rental start at $100 (half-day, 1 seat)
- Different styled ATVs including side-by-side, 2 seaters, 4 seaters
Explore the vast wilderness of Roosevelt National forest and Red Feather Lakes. These unguided tours allow you to rent for half-day or full-days and can accommodate small groups or large groups. Book your specific 4 wheeling preference and other OHV Colorado rentals. There are a variety of brands and selections available. Book ahead of time as summer months tend to be the busy season, open from June through September.
Roosevelt National Forest conceals nearly 100 miles of ATV trails that wind through the forest, near lakes and monumental rocks. Many of the trails are single-use for motorcycles and dirt bikes, but a good portion of the routes west of the lakes off Deadman Road is fantastic for ATVs.
Red Feather Lakes is approximately two hours north of Denver on the I-25 North.
Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available online and at the ranger stations to designate which trails and roads can be legally driven on. Road closures and openings are also posted on the Forest Service website.
Many of these trails are dusty and rugged, so be prepared to climb rocky terrain in your four wheeler and to get dusty! As with most of the ATV trails in the state, the Forest Service governs open and closure times. Most often ATV season is in the summer months, stretching from June 15th to September 30th. The other half of the year is considered snowmobile season, where the same trails will open for winter vehicles. You should bring options for warm covering to enjoy the trails even in the height of summer, as the higher elevations bring a chill.
Grand Lake
ATV Tours & Rentals
- Self-Guided, Rentals available for 2, 4, 8 hours or multiple days
- 130 miles of terrain
- Rentals start at $125 (2 hours)
- Ride ATVs directly from the location
- ATV Rentals available from June 15 through September 30
On the Trails Rentals offers a completely unguided experience for those wanting to self-navigate. The business is located about 3 miles north of Grand Lake and provides a wide variety of equipment. In addition to 4 wheeling in Colorado, customers can also select from Side-by-Sides, Mountain Bikes, and Slingshots. This is a great option if you’d like the autonomy of finding your own course and the flexibility of a rental.
- Self Guided, Rentals available for half-day or full-day
- 130 miles of trails
- Rentals start at $180 (half-day)
- Trailhead is located 5 minutes from the rental location
Spirit Lake Rentals offers ATV and other OHV Colorado rentals. If you’re looking for a great 4 wheeling Colorado experience, this business is reasonably priced. All rental provide helmet, one tank of gas, trail maps, and trail knowledge ensuring for a great day in the outdoors. Experience the trails at your own pace on this completely self-guided tour. Ride through the Arapahoe National Forest and witness the abundance of wildlife.
Two hours northwest of Denver is Grand Lake, a charming lakeside town shrouded in the lush forests of the Arapahoe National Forest. Over 130 miles of ATV/ OHV Colorado trails wind through the National Forest here, making for a scenic ride through bountiful forest flora. You’ll experience all kinds of terrain on the trails and have the opportunity to cross streams and view waterfalls.
4 Wheeling Colorado trails around Grand Lake are also well-known for the moose population, and many riders see at least one on their ride in the summer.
The forest is open for ATV trail rides in the summer season, from June 15th to September 30th.
Although the trails in the forest are carefully groomed, you will find multiple levels of difficulty, from cruising to technically challenging. If you’re a fan of good old-fashioned mudding, be sure to go out on a day after rain, and make sure to have warm dress options on longer trail rides as even in the height of summer, it will still be chilly in higher elevations.
St. Mary’s
ATV Tours & Rentals
- Guided Tours through historic mining ghost town
- Hike St. Mary’s Glacier
- Available 3 and 6 Seater ATV
- Tours start at $350 for 2-3 person vehicle
These unique tours go through high elevation forests in Arapahoe National Forest. The trails were once roads back in the 1800s that accessed gold and silver mining operations. Knowledgeable guides will take you through the wilderness to explore the great outdoors via 4 wheeling in Colorado. This local business is located a few miles south of St. Mary’s Glacier trailhead.
ATV Tours Colorado with Mile Hi Rafting
- 30 miles west of Denver and 14 miles south of St. Mary’s Glacier
- Personalized guided tours with 4 ATV’s to a group
- Offering 1 through 4 hours+ tours
- Longer tours go through backcountry and higher altitudes
Looking for 4 wheeling in Colorado near Denver? Mile Hi Rafting offers a great experience for novice and experienced ATV users. This personalized guided tour allows you to operate your ATV and follow company leads through winding, dirt trails. Experience the beautiful scenery of Colorado and have fun with friends and family. It’s also near St. Mary’s Glacier if you wish to tour this landmark before or after your ride.
St. Mary’s is approximately 1 hour due west from Denver, and offers a unique ATV experience in that you’ll be able to circle a glacier on your ride.
The trails in this portion of the Arapahoe National Forest are early marked and offer all types of terrain and difficulty. Because of the high elevation, even in the summer four wheeler season you’ll want to dress warmly or at least bring sweaters and jackets to put on.
The trails wind through the forest trees, climbing in elevation over mountainous and rocky terrain until reaching a breathtaking peak in front of the glacier. The icy mountain cap is present year round, and seeing this natural wonder and the gorgeous views of the surrounding valley is well worth an excursion. Your trail rides up to the glacier will reveal some of the rich flora and fauna Colorado’s forests are known for.
