Need ATV trail suggestions for Colorado

[Coldfinger]

If anyone has any info on good atv riding in central/north central Colorado let me know. I'm hoping to come out there the week of July 20th.

I have a toy hauler camper so I'd like to find a spot where we can dry camp, away from crowds, and ride to the trails right from the campsite. Would consider an official campground though as well. Since we will be out there for about 4 days I would like to have enough trails to keep it interesting rather than going down the same trails all the time.

The trails have to be conducive to riders without many hours under their belt (wife and girls are going), but some difficult sections are fine because I can ride the machines thru tough spots for them.

We've ridden the Buena Vista/St Elmo/Tin Cup pass area and the Red Cliff area, but looking for someplace new. Red Feather Lakes - I heard there is a KOA near there where you can ride to the trails?

Also, if there is some good singletrack nearby, that would be great too since I have a dirt bike.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[PwdrNut]

You may want to look into the Taylor Park area. This may fit what you are looking for.

 

[Snowballs]

I have hunted north of Rifle a couple of times. Lots of BLM land, lots of roads to ride, nothing too rough. We camped on the Book cliffs (about 9000') overlooking Rifle. Great views, shouldn't be too crowded this time of year.
Have a good time wherever you go.
Tim

 

[skidoojohncsu]

Taylor park would be your best option in the stat imo. There's lots of good trails for all levels, but there's also lots of people riding there too.

 

[bushy]

You got the sand dunes area northeast of Walden. Not a big area but kind of fun riding the dunes. I'd recommend checking on the current rideable status of any area you plan on, as some new roadless areas or new OHV prohibited roads have popped up lately, ie - the Flattops and some areas around RFL.

 

[live2ride]

We have some great OHV trails on the Grand Mesa as well!!

 

[Coldfinger]

Thanks for the replys. Anyone have links to or maps which show atv trails and descriptions?

I've ridden the Taylor Park area a few times on dirt bike, but that was about 9 years ago and we tried to stay primarily on single-track so I really wasn't watching for how much good atv trails there may be. We rode to Crested Butte, through Pearl Pass, etc,. Loved it, though Pearl may be a tad rocky and scary for the girls.

I did purchase the Buena Vista Fall Color Tour book a few years ago and found it was very helpful with trail identification/miles/difficulty rating, etc. I believe most of those were east of Taylor Park so not sure what is to the west for good atv trails.

I've heard of the Dune area by Walden but I think we'd rather stay on jeep or atv trails, especially with a Honda 250ex 2wd and a XR650R dirt bike, neither with paddle tires.

Grand Mesa - got any links for trail information in this area? How is the scenery?

It would be nice to find someplace within 100 miles of Denver or I'd even consider the Steamboat area since we'd be coming in on I70 or I80 from the east.

At one time a few years ago I found a web site which listed trails and descriptions but I can't find it now.

Jim

 

[skidoojohncsu]

try this link http://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/

 

[bushy]

Try this link http://www.cohvco.org/trailguide/

 

[Coldfinger]

Thanks for the links guys.

I haven't ruled out other areas yet but I think the Buena Vista & Taylor Park area is where we will end up. Now I'm looking for recommendations on where to camp. Don't need elec or water but needs to be someplace where I can pull a trailer tow toy hauler into without fear of wrecking something yet providing a certain amount of privacy & security. Even if there is a pullout on a 4wd or gravel road where we could stay for a few nights that would be great, but would like to be able to ride right from the camping spot because trailering to a trailhead is not an attractive option.

Anyone have any camping area recommendations near St. Elmo, Taylor Park, Buena Vista?