The 17 best places to snowmobile in Colorado are as follows:
- Breckenridge
- Cottonwood Pass
- Creede/Lake City
- Grand Lake Area
- Kebler Pass
- Keystone Resort Trails
- Kremmling
- Leadville
- Marshall Pass
- Meeker
- Ophir Creek-Greenhorn Mountain Trail System
- South Fork
- Steamboat Springs
- Sunlight Mountain to Powderhorn Trail
- Vail Pass Area
- Winter Park
- Wolf Creek Pass – Pagosa Springs
The national forests of Colorado are inundated with snowmobile trails that make it a great way to see the amazing backcountry views of this rocky mountain state. Locals take great care of these trails and offer an excellent place for day-long ventures.
There are over 3,000 miles of trails that snowmobilers can ride along, which means there are many places to rent a fleet from. No matter what kind of experience you want, you can easily rent and use snowmobiles – and learn why there is a high demand for Colorado’s snowmobile culture.
Let’s take a look at the most popular snowmobile trails in Colorado!
17 Best Places to Snowmobile in Colorado
1. Breckenridge
For the more advanced snowmobilers, there are the trails of Breckenridge that offer incredible views from the well-cared-for trails of the White River National Forest and Continental Divide. A trendy spot here is the Georgia Pass Road, which allows only snowmobiles to use from late November to late May.
2. Cottonwood Pass
If you’re a snowmobile newbie, then you need to check out Cottonwood Pass. It’s along a state highway that connects Taylor Park and Buena Vista and stays closed to vehicles other than snowmobiles. The pass extends to 12,126 feet.
3. Creede/Lake City
Over 200 miles of snowmobile trails make up the Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests, all well-cared-for. Snowmobile enthusiasts are encouraged to use the free maps the Silver Thread Outdoor Club has made and take advantage of their group rides.
4. Grand Lake Area
The Grand Lake Snowmobile Trail System, northwest of Grande Lake, has a wide array of snowmobile trails with its diverse terrain. The best time to go snowmobiling in this region is January and February. 300 miles of trails near the Arapaho National Forest includes views of the Continental Divide.
5. Kebler Pass
Kebler Pass, which lies to the west of Crested Butte and north of Gunnison, is a snowmobiler’s dream with its 55 miles of conditioned trails. It’s well-known for offering deep powder, and roads are closed off in the winter and readied for snowmobilers to travel on. The area is also frequented by bikers and cross-country skiers. Other places to check out for snowmobiling in this region include Lost Lakes, Ohio Pass Road and Splains Gulch (also popular with skiers).
6. Keystone Resort Trails
Keystone snowmobiling is one of the best winter excursions winter lovers should check out. The area provides plenty of winter sports that include an organized tour on snowmobiles (or a lone venture time if you want) on any of its whimsical trails.
7. Kremmling
Near but to the north of Kremmling is a vast network of trails for snowmobilers to travel through. The 300 miles of trails, which run through the Arapaho and Routt National Forests, are some of Colorado’s best snowmobiling trails. You can also visit the less-visited area of Spring Creek that offers less-crowded trails between the areas of Kremmling and Silverthorne.
8. Leadville
There is a multitude of snowmobile trails west of Leadville, going toward the Continental Divide. The High Riders Snowmobile Club grooms the more than 50 miles of Lake County trails. Leadville is located at 10,152 feet, the highest incorporated city in the state. There is also plenty of wild open space for people wanting backcountry life. Much of the groomed trails go through East Side Mining District, allowing visitors to view the historic gold rushes during the winter.
9. Marshall Pass
Marshall Pass of the Shirley Snowmobile area has 45 miles of cared-for snowmobile trails that used to be a part of a railroad route heading to Gunnison. It’s a gentle ride for those novice snowmobilers.
10. Meeker
Colorado offers a lot of snowmobiling resorts, which includes the area of Meeker. Meeker has close to 180 miles of both conditioned and unconditioned trails, challenging even the most avid snowmobilers. Go during the warmer months to do some OHV driving or horseback riding, and go again in the winter for a bit of snowmobiling. Check out the unique spots of Ripple Creek, Trappers Lake and Flat Tops.
Management of the trails belongs to the White River Snowmobile Club, which holds many special events.
11. Ophir Creek-Greenhorn Mountain Trail System
In San Isabel National Forest is the Ophir Creek and Greenhorn Mountain Trail system, which has been taken care of and offers spectacular views of the Wet Mountains. When in the Wet Mountains, the 70-mile distance of trails is maintained by the Sangre Snow Runners Club. This place is best to venture to during mid-winter due to its low elevation.
12. South Fork
The South Fork region offers a vast number of snowmobile trails the Silver Thread Outdoor Recreation Club of San Luis Valley takes care of. More than 250 miles of well-cared-for trails provide riders many chances to see the state’s 12,000-foot vistas and unmaintained routes for the adventurers to see.
13. Steamboat Springs
The snowmobile trails of Steamboat Springs are often regarded as extensive and extraordinary. Not far from Steamboat Springs is Rabbit Ears Pass, which includes 250 miles of prepared snowmobiling trails that can hit elevations of up to 10,000 feet. Snowmobilers can reach this pass by heading west from Denver via the US40 Highway; the trail extends north to south. ‘
Other trails can be found in the area near Flat Tops Wildness, southwest of Steamboat Springs. In the northwest area, winter produces a great now for sledders with miles of almost treeless land.
14. Sunlight Mountain to Powderhorn Trail
Snowmobilers can enjoy the 120 miles of trails extending from Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail. You can begin the venture in many places, but the best point is Glenwood Springs and heading up to Powderhorn Mountain Resort. Numerous lodges are open for snowmobilers to stop at, including the Grand Mesa Lodge. If you need a little assistance along the way, there are guide services available.
There are also another 180 miles of connected trails to check out, or you can go through the powdered hillsides and meadows to explore the area.
15. Vail Pass Area
This area, located west of Denver, has different kinds of terrain, including deep snow for snowmobilers. It’s extremely popular with backcountry skiers as well as snowmobilers. The area is well-known and has plenty of room for the numerous folks who come here to take in the region’s sights and fun.
16. Winter Park
In an area closer to Fraser is Winter Park, which has 120 miles of taken-care-of snowmobile trails with elevations that exceed 12,000 feet. These trails are located in Arapaho National Forest, and the Mile Hi Snowmobile Club takes care of them.
17. Wolf Creek Pass – Pagosa Springs
If you’re looking for remote riding with powdery snow, then the San Juan Mountains’ trail system is worth checking out. It includes Wolf Creek Pass, Eagle Mountain, and Black Head Peak. It’s an intricate system, so it may be beneficial to get a guide or join a tour to ensure you don’t get lost.
Why Colorado’s Snowmobile Trails
There are more than 20 spectacular snowmobile riding trails in the state, with the best being Gunnison and Crested Butte, Kremmling, Steamboat Springs, and Winter Park. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time snowmobiling or if you’re an avid rider; Colorado offers the kind of land that makes it the sport to check out the snowy parts. So let’s go and visit one of the best places to ride a snowmobile in Colorado!
References: