Colorado mountains - best time of year to go Offroad trail riding/camping?

[BunkieJeeper75]

Is there a best time of year to go Offroad trail riding/camping in the mountains of Colorado?

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[Jefe1018]

After most of the snow melts and before all the new snow falls.

 

[dajudge]

Depends on the year but July and August is usually the safest bet.

 

[cybercat]

Great Resource.
https://www.bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

 

[Fabtech Motorsports]

Middle of July to start of October for the last few runs are the 'best". It all depends on how much snow we got the past winter and how fast it melts off. This season was above average. Days have been cooler this spring, so higher elevations snow is still hanging out a lot. Matt

 

[bd100]

Earlier you get wild flowers. Later you get golden aspen. Each is neat in its own way.

 

[dajudge]

Depends on the year but July and August is usually the safest bet.

Just a side note...If you are free in September there are far less people in the mountains.

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

Just a side note...If you are free in September there are far less people in the mountains.

Yes !!

 

[WILDHOBO]

Just a side note...If you are free in September there are far less people in the mountains.

Now there won’t be.

 

[GI Grandpa]

Is there a best time of year to go Offroad trail riding/camping in the mountains of Colorado?

Depends on what part of the State you're looking at? Central Mountains with trails like Red Cone, Wheeler Lake, Tin Cup, Hancock, etc. Usually will be accessible before Holy Cross, Mosquito are. Down in the San Juan's, Engineer and Cinnamon open before Black Bear and Imogene do. FYI, the mountains are getting more snow this week as we get rain at lower elevations. Recommend two things; download the COTrex app. It is free and does a really good job of showing current trails that are open (green) vs. Closed (red) and it also list seasonal clause dates as well. Also, there are 100 or so trails in Colorado that require an OHV Sticker even on street legal vehicles. That list can be found at www.staythetrail.org and you can order a sticker as well or buy one once you get here at any Coloraod Parks and Wildlife Office or OHV dealer.

 

[dajudge]

Now there won’t be.

If you can come after labor day there WILL BE less people. Even during peak leaves if you stay away from the front range and actually go into the mountains away from the roads it is less crowded.
The only issue you might have is the weather. It can be cold in September, it can snow, sleet, freeze. (of course it can do this anytime but the chances are more likely starting in September.)

 

[Mad Mac]

Yes, the "shoulder season" in the fall
when the Aspen are golden and quaking.
The climate is better, prices are lower,
there's room in the inn.
Fewer noisy children. They are in school.
It is drier and rain is less likely than spring.
Some parks begin closing as early as mid-September.
Plan accordingly.

 

[WILDHOBO]

If you can come after labor day there WILL BE less people. Even during peak leaves if you stay away from the front range and actually go into the mountains away from the roads it is less crowded.
The only issue you might have is the weather. It can be cold in September, it can snow, sleet, freeze. (of course it can do this anytime but the chances are more likely starting in September.)

I know. I live in CO. I was joking.

 

[Billyj7175]

Earlier you get wild flowers. Later you get golden aspen. Each is neat in its own way.

Yup.
If possible, going before school ends in the spring and after it starts in the fall, you'll have more options for lodging and fewer traffic on the trails.

 

[Mad Mac]

Water crossings will be lower in the fall
after less rain in the summer and fall.
In the spring they will be higher or impassable
because of spring rains and snowmelt.
I've been told.

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