Tucked into the folds of the Sawatch Range west of Salida, the Billings Lake Trail is a high-alpine journey that delivers everything a Colorado backcountry adventure should. Starting near Maysville and following Forest Road 240 alongside the North Fork of the South Arkansas River, the trail gradually climbs through pine forest before opening into wide, wildflower-strewn meadows that put on a show through the summer months — keep your camera ready, and your eyes peeled for moose, which are frequently spotted browsing the in the upper basin.

The trail passes the North Fork Reservoir before tightening and climbing in earnest, threading between boulder fields and stands of timber as the views begin to open up. As you gain elevation, the surrounding peaks of the Sawatch Range — jagged, 13,000-foot giants — start to dominate the skyline, and the alpine basin cradling Billings Lake comes into view like a hidden jewel tucked beneath the ridgeline.

The real showstopper waits at trail’s end: the Pride of the West Tunnel, an ornately built 1880s toll tunnel that once bored straight through Pomeroy Mountain to connect the Billings Lake valley with the long-vanished town of Hancock. Its stonework entrance — capped with a keystone still legible with “Pride of the West Tunnel 1880” — was famous even in its own era, having served as a backdrop for photographs used to lure investors from back east. Standing at the portal today, with Billings Lake spread out below and the high peaks rising all around, it’s easy to feel the same sense of awe those old prospectors must have felt.

Billings Lake is well-suited with a mostly moderate grade. Add in good fishing at the lake, scenic dispersed camping along the way, and a round-trip that fits neatly into a half day, and it’s easy to see why Billings Lake has earned its reputation as one of the top UTV trails near Salida — a perfect blend of scenery, history, and backcountry solitude.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Distance

18 Miles

Climbing out of the historic ghost town of St. Elmo, the Tincup Pass Trail is one of Colorado’s iconic high-alpine crossings — a rugged, unforgettable journey that carries riders over the Continental Divide. Following the same route prospectors and freight wagons used more than a century ago, the trail winds up through the Chalk Creek valley, climbing steadily alongside rushing mountain streams before breaking above treeline into a stark, wide-open alpine world.

The payoff comes at 12,154 feet, where the trail crests the Continental Divide itself — the invisible line separating waters bound for the Pacific from those destined for the Atlantic. From this windswept high point, sweeping views stretch across the Sawatch Range in every direction, and marmots often appear sunning themselves among the rocks.

Along the way, riders pass Mirror Lake, a scenic basin that doubles as a popular staging and camping spot — its still waters reflecting the surrounding peaks on a calm day, though snowmelt can occasionally send the trail right along its shoreline.

From there, the trail descends the far side into the equally storied town of Tincup, a scattering of century-old buildings that once thrived as a rowdy mining camp. A stop in Tin Cup makes for a well-earned reward before the return trip back over the pass to St. Elmo.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

25+ Miles

Rolling through the high country between Salida and Ruby Mountain, the Aspen Ridge Trail is one of the most approachable — and most rewarding — off-road routes in the Arkansas River Valley. Whether you launch from the Cottonwood Trailhead or start up near Ruby Mountain, the trail climbs steadily out of the sagebrush hills toward a broad, 10,000-foot ridge blanketed in shimmering aspen groves — a sight that’s especially spectacular when the leaves turn gold each fall.

What makes this route special is its variety. Over roughly 28 miles, the trail moves through mellow, flat stretches perfect for settling into a rhythm, then winds past old mining relics that hint at the area’s silver and gold rush past, before climbing into rockier sections that add just enough challenge to keep things interesting. Numerous scenic overlooks along the way open up sweeping, 360-degree views of the Collegiate Peaks, the Arkansas River Valley, and the Sangre de Cristo range in the distance — the kind of vistas that make you want to stop the rig and just take it all in.

Because the terrain stays largely forgiving, with only moderate obstacles mixed into an otherwise smooth ride, Aspen Ridge is widely considered one of the best introductions to OHV riding in the region — a confidence-building route for newer riders without sacrificing scenery or a sense of adventure. At the same time, it’s far from a dead end: the trail network here connects to numerous other routes in the San Isabel National Forest, so it doubles as a natural hub for riders looking to extend their day or link up a multi-trail loop.

Add in plentiful dispersed camping, easy access from both Salida and Buena Vista, and a season that typically runs March through October, and it’s easy to see why Aspen Ridge has become a go-to for families, first-timers, and seasoned riders alike looking for a relaxed but scenic day in the saddle.

Difficulty

Easy

Distance

30+ Miles

Few off-road routes in Colorado let you drive higher toward a 14,000-foot summit than the Mount Antero Trail. This legendary off-road route climbs relentlessly out of the Chalk Creek Valley, switchbacking above treeline until the road finally gives out just 500 vertical feet shy of Mount Antero’s summit — putting you within an easy scramble of standing atop one of Colorado’s iconic fourteeners without ever having to strap on a full-day hiking pack.

The drive itself is half the adventure. Starting from the trailhead, the trail winds up through rocky, narrow sections with some shelf exposure before breaking out above the trees, where the true reward begins: sweeping, panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley unfold below, with the Collegiate Peaks rising in the distance. As you gain elevation, keep an eye out for wildflowers clinging to the alpine tundra and for the sparkle of aquamarine and quartz crystals — Mount Antero is home to the highest gem field in the lower 48, a nod to the peak’s rich mining history.

The route is rated moderate, with rocky, high-clearance terrain and a few tight switchbacks that reward a capable UTV. The end of the four-wheel drive trail tops out around 13,700 feet, where the road turns to a short stretch of class two talus leading to the true summit — an accessible taste of fourteener bagging for off-roaders who’d rather drive than trek all day.

Because it sits so close to St. Elmo, Mount Antero pairs perfectly as an add-on to a day exploring Tincup Pass or Boulder Mountain — making it easy to string together a full day (or weekend) of high-alpine off-roading in the historic St. Elmo area, capped off with one of the most rewarding summit views a vehicle can get you to in Colorado.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

32+ Miles