OHV, dirt biking and 4-wheeling

Visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife OHV registration page for detailed instructions.

All OHV owners who live in Colorado must register and number their vehicle(s).

CPW permit

OHVs from out of state must display a current Colorado OHV use permit sticker from Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Vehicle registration for out-of-state visitors

Visitors who will be in Colorado for a 4-wheeling vacation for less than 30 days, will only use their OHV for agricultural purposes or an organized race, or will only operate it on private property, are not required to register their vehicle(s).

All OHVs in Colorado must be registered with Colorado Parks & Wildlife to operate on public lands.

The best ATV and side-by-side trails in the Gunnison Valley can be found in Gunnison National Forest, a huge piece of public land that spans from Crested Butte to Almont to Pitkin. Panoramic views of jagged mountains and idyllic valleys wait around every corner. Most Crested Butte ATV and UTV users visit the area for sightseeing, rather than speed or thrills.

The trail areas listed below—Taylor Park, Pitkin and Schofield Pass—all lie within Gunnison National Forest. For more information about operating a dirt bike, ATV or side-by-side in Gunnison National Forest, check out the forest’s motorized travel rules.

Taylor Park is the Gunnison Valley’s ATV and side-by-side playground. A large network of trails east of Taylor Reservoir offers scenic views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Sawatch Range. Longer rides take you to Pitkin and Tincup. Get a taste of the area’s mining history by visiting the ghost towns of Abbeyville and Hillerton.

Pitkin may be a small town, but it’s big on views and history. Because of the town’s location smack in the middle of Gunnison National Forest, Pitkin OHV routes begin on forest roads located conveniently in town. Popular ATV and UTV routes in Pitkin include:

Mirror Lake

From Pitkin, drive over Cumberland Pass and through the ghost town of Tincup. Three miles past Tincup, drive right up to the bank of serene Mirror Lake to cap off the day.

Alpine Tunnel Historic District

Visit the site of one of the first railroad tunnels through the Continental Divide. The west portal of the Alpine Tunnel is an easy 10-mile drive from town.

Abundant public lands on the east and south ends of the Gunnison Valley make for excellent dirt bike access. The large system of dirt bike trails in Gunnison is rocky and technical, with trails for all ability levels. Dirt bike trails in Crested Butte are concentrated on the east side of the valley on Gunnison National Forest land.

Ride 40-plus miles of motorized trail at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, just south of the city of Gunnison. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees this area, making it a haven for shared-use trails. Test your skills on rock features on Rattlesnake, Skyline or Gateway trails. Not ready for technical rock gardens? Check out Evan’s Loop for beginner trail options.

Most of the dirt bike trails in Crested Butte cris-cross the chunk of Gunnison National Forest between Cement Creek Road and Brush Creek Road. Each trail in this zone delivers its own brand of scenic beauty. Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman delivers stunning valley views, with streams running parallel to the trail for almost the entire route. The view on the top of Teocalli Ridge can’t be beat, and there’s no better lunch spot in the Gunnison Valley than overlooking the massive meadow on the 409s loop. Share these popular trails with mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners.

4×4 roads in Crested Butte can transport you to otherworldly views deep in Colorado’s backcountry. Roads can be narrow and are usually littered with large rocks. On many mountain passes, a steep dropoff looms on one side of the road. Routes often venture into remote backcountry locations, making rescue difficult. Take all proper precautions before heading out for a drive.

This is the most popular 4×4 route in the area, and for good reason. This loop offers views from Maroon Bells to Irwin with lots of picnicking and sightseeing opportunities.

Drive north from downtown Crested Butte. Take a left on Slate River Road and follow it up to the old mining town of Pittsburgh. From here, some clearance is needed, as the road switchbacks up for a couple miles. At the top of Paradise Divide you will find plenty of parking, a sign marking your accomplishment, and a couple alpine ponds.

Continue onward, and you’ll find yourself with the option to go over Schofield Pass or turn left and go towards Marble and Crystal. The road to Marble and Crystal becomes very rugged as it travels past the Devil’s Punchbowls. Only capable drivers and short-wheelbase, narrow rigs can make the full drive from Schofield Pass all the way to Marble. This is an expert 4×4 route.

Most folks decide at this point to turn right and drive over Schofield Pass. From here, make a pit stop at Emerald Lake, or continue driving south towards the townsite of Gothic, now the home of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Four miles later you’ll hit pavement at the Snodgrass trailhead.

The Pearl Pass Road is a backcountry route connecting Crested Butte to Aspen. This pass is steeped in history as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, but it’s also a popular motorized route. Pearl Pass Road begins at the east end of Brush Creek Road. Large rocks require expert technical driving skills to navigate. Watch for dangerously deep water crossings in spring.