Roads for Off-Highway Driving in Boulder Ranger District, Roosevelt National Forest

by Jesse Speer

Old mining and wagon trails and railroad grades weave across this area around Nederland and west of Boulder, Colorado. The mining and homesteading history has left a patchwork of private and public lands through which these roads pass. Stay on the roads. Off-highway does not mean off-road. All vehicles must travel on a designated Forest Service road. Get the Forest Service map. Most of these roads close for the winter and re-open between memorial Day and thr Fourth of July.

Apex/Kingston Peak

The Kingston Peak Road crosses an above-treeline bench at 12,000 feet elevation. This affords spectacular views of the nearby James Peak Wildereness Area, as well as more distant views toward Longs Peak in the north and Mount Evans in the south. However, it also means there is snow late in... [more]

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]

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

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]

Lefthand Canyon

There is a network of four-wheel drive roads ranging from easy to difficult. There are some very steep hills and sidehill "leaners." Be especially careful of the latter, as there have been a number of roll-over accidents in this area. A free trail guide for the area may be obtained... [more]

Lefthand Park Reservoir Road

This road is fairly steep, but not too rough for a four-wheel drive road. At the reservoir, there is fishing and a good view of the Indian Peaks.

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.

Mammoth Gulch

The Mammoth Gulch Road (NFSR 176) is fairly easy and not very steep. It continues up the valley for two miles until closed by a gate on private property. The Nebraska Hill Road, NFSR 183 forks right (north) just after Mammoth Gulch Road leaves 4N. It is a mile long... [more]

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.

Weather and road conditions determine opening dates for these off-highway roads. Roads east of the Peak-to-Peak Highway usually open mid to late May. Roads west of the Peak-to-Peak Highway open mid to late June. Check road status by calling 303-541-2500 or reading the Boulder District road closure web page.

Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Boulder Ranger District (around Nederland, east of Rocky Mountain National Park, west of Boulder, Lyons, Longmont) are due by the end of 2009. In the meantime, use the Forest map available from the district office listed on our Contacts page or by order from the link on our Maps page.

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