Mountain Biking Trails in the Boulder Ranger District

by Jesse Speer

by Jesse Speer

by Jesse Speer

These trails range from short, flat and easy to long, steep and technical. All four-wheel drive roads in this district are open to biking, but not all hiking trails are open to mountain bikes. Bikes are prohibited in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and James Peak Wilderness.

Beaver Bog Road

Popular road for mountain biking and four-wheeling in Boulder Ranger District, Roosevelt National Forest.
FDR 113A
Accesses Sourdough Trailhead.

Bunce School Road

This is an easy to moderate 4WD road. The easy way to do the trip is to start from the Peaceful Valley Campground and complete the loop on the Peak-to-Peak Highway. Popular road for mountain biking. FDR 115.

Caribou Flats

This is a 4WD and mountain biking road. The north end is off the Rainbow Lakes Road, one mile below the Rainbow Lakes Campground. In the middle it passes the townsite of Caribou (at the end of Country Road 128 out of Nederland) where there is a network of... [more]

Ceran Saint Vrain / Miller Rock

This single track of the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail is generally moderate. It follows the creek and is not steep, but it can be narrow with a steep drop to the creek. There are a few rocky spots that may require dismounting. Also, remember that it is uphill on the... [more]

Coney Creek Road

"There are some short steep hills and the road is continuously rocky. In wet times there are muddy pools that can hide large rocks. The Coney Creek crossing is very deep and can be impassible in spring. The road ends at Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary at the Coney Flats Trailhead... [more]

Fourth of July Road

This is a rough 2WD road that gains elevation gradually along the way and ends at Buckingham Campground on the edge of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Popular road for mountain biking. County Road 111

Gross Reservoir Area

There are several interconnecting 4WD roads and some single track on the northwest side of Gross Reservoir. Popular road for mountain biking. FDR 238

House Rock

Popular road for mountain biking.

Johnny Park Area

A 4WD road connects Big Elk Meadows with Meeker Park. Near Meeker Park, FDR 119 turns north and climbs steeply to House Rock. This road also continues to Pierson Park. There are some side roads and trails. FDR 118 follows the northern boundary of the Boulder Ranger District, and FDR... [more]

Mammoth Basin

Mammoth Basin, FDR 176 / Mammoth Gulch Road, County Road 4N is a network of roads from difficult 4WD roads to rough 2WD roads.. Popular road for mountain biking.

Middle Saint Vrain Road

This four-wheel drive road is not steep, but can be very rough, with large rocks and logs. It follows Middle Saint Vrain Creek and crosses some side creeks. It ends at Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary, at the Middle Saint Vrain Trailhead on the Buchanan Pass Trail. The Middle Saint Vrain... [more]

Mofffat Road

This is an old railroad grade and a rough 2WD road. It used to connect over the Continental Divide to Winter Park, but is now closed at mile 13 due to a collapse at the Needles Eye Tunnel. Popular road for mountain biking and 4WD. A self-guided auto tour booklet... [more]

Rainbow Lakes Road

This is a rough 2WD road. Gradual elevation gain along the way ends at the Rainbow Lakes Campground on the edge of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This connects to Caribou and Eldora by 4WD FDR 505. Popular road for mountain biking. FDR 298

Rock Creek Road

This is a 4WD road. It starts with a gentle grade, then climbs increasingly steep. There are some short side roads. Popular road for mountain biking. FDR 116

Switzerland Trail

This popular mountain biking and 4WD route is an old railroad bed, so the grades are moderate. Bikers, the surface is not technical, but it is rough and rocky. The stretch north of Gold Hill Road is less traveled because the connection at the north end at Sawmill Road... [more]

Taylor Mountain

There are several 4WD roads, former roads that are now trails and the Taylor Mountain Trail, which is a single track. Moderate elevation changes occur. Popular road for mountain biking.FDR 330, #932.

Sourdough Trail

This is the premier single track bike trail, which runs from Peaceful Valley Campground to Rainbow Lakes FDR 298, passing through Brainard Recreation Area, with a correspondingly high level of use. The southern half, done in the more downhill direction from Brainard to Rainbow Lake Road (perhaps with a return... [more]

The Forest asks your consideration:

"When biking on trails in the national forest, please do your part to protect our natural resources. Do not go around, damage, or remove water-bars and other man-made structures. These structures are crucial to the protection of trails from erosion, plus they prevent excessive mud and wash-out conditions. Going around water-bars or damaging them makes them ineffective, causes severe resource damage and will ultimately lead to permanent trail closure."

The Forest advises mountain bikers:

• Know the local trail rules.
• Courtesy is the key to safety.
• Minimize impact by staying on designated trails and avoiding muddy conditions.
• Never cut switchbacks.
• Announce yourself when preparing to pass, then pass with care.
• Always yield to hikers and horses.
• Ride at a safe and controlled speed.
• Be especially careful when visibility is limited.
• Wear appropriate safety equipment, such as helmets and gloves.

Explore!

[Printable version] [Add to my travel notebook] [Add a picture, video or comments!]