Best ATV Trails Near Estes Park for Every Skill Level

Choosing the right trail can make or break your off-road adventure. Some riders want beginner-friendly routes with incredible views, while others are looking for rugged terrain and a bigger challenge. Fortunately, the trails near Estes Park offer something for every skill level. Most ATV rentals in Estes Park allow you to choose your trail, making it important to pick the right one based on your experience level.

The best ATV trails near Estes Park include Johnny Park for beginners, Storm Mountain for intermediate riders, and Middle Saint Vrain for more advanced terrain. These trails offer a mix of scenic views, off-road challenges, and access to areas near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Start Here: How to Choose the Right ATV Trail

If you’re not sure which trail to choose, here’s a quick guide:

• First-time rider? Start with Johnny Park
• Want the best views? Choose Storm Mountain
• Looking for a challenge? Try Middle Saint Vrain
• Short on time? Pole Hill is a great quick ride

Use the map below to explore where each of these trails are located.

Watch the video below to see real trail conditions, terrain difficulty, and what to expect on some of the best ATV trails near Estes Park.

This video includes trail conditions, scenery, and a quick overview of how ATV rentals work at Backbone Adventures.

Want turn-by-turn directions and downloadable maps?
View our printable ATV trail maps near Estes Park to plan your ride before arrival.

Johnny Park (The Most Popular Trail)

Johnny Park is one of the most popular trails near Estes Park—and for good reason. It’s beginner-friendly, scenic, and incredibly easy to access. The trails are smooth and flowy by Colorado standards and It offers one of the best vista view points in Colorado at the Indian Peaks lookout.

This is where Backbone Adventures stages every day when the trail is open. See ATV Experiences in Estes Park.

• Open: Mid June – October
• Distance from Estes Park: ~25 minutes
• Time Needed: 2–3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Second leg of the Estes Loop system for Jeepers

For detailed directions and downloadable maps, view our printable ATV trail maps near Estes Park. Johnny Park is also home to our easiest “show up and ride” experience, where everything is staged at the trail for you.

Pierson Park (A Hidden Gem)

For Jeepers, the north entrance to the trail is only 10 minutes outside Estes Park. ATV riders stage on the south end (more parking) which is 35 minutes from Estes. The trail is great for half or full day riders. Pierson Park has more trophy size bull moose than any other area aside from Old Fall River Road. The views are amazing, the trails are fairly easy, and you get to see the alluvial fan.

In 2013 the great Colorado flood ripped down the 12,000 foot Twin Sisters peak and created an alluvial fan. You’ll ride across the bottom of it on this trail.

If you see Old Mountain Man Tim, say hi. He’s a kind, unique, and great man + boy does he have stories to tell. He lives up there all alone in his rustic yet beautiful cabin. Check out his company Estes Park Outfitters.

• Open: Seasonal
• Distance: ~35 minutes
• Time: 3 – 6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
• 1st or final leg of the Estes Loop system for Jeepers

Pole Hill (Quick Access with a Stellar View)

Pole Hill is a short trail but it packs a punch. It has an amazing view looking back at the white cap mountains and the town of Estes Park. The cooest feature is what people call Roller Coaster Alley. It’s a half mile section of trail with washout bumps that provide a heck of thrill if you’re riding a Razor.

• Open: Seasonal
• Distance: ~10 minutes
• Time: 2–3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• 1st or final leg of the Estes Loop system for Jeepers

Storm Mountain (A Diverse Colorado Experience)

Storm has what most consider the best view in Colorado by far at the Storm Mountain peak summit. I can’t even begin to explain it in words. It’s just something you must see for yourself. The trails are very diverse ranging in elevation from 5500 to 10,000 feet. Here, you will experience a wide range of terrain types. You’ll see everything from fast / flowy and creek crossings to washout bumps and rock crawling.

The trail can be used a half day experience if you only want to ride to the summit and back, whcih is totally worth it.

In 2020 the largest fire in Colorado history decimated the entire trail system and surrounding forest. Although the trees burned down, it opened many sections to more incredible views. Funny thing is, it didn’t scare the wildlife away. Some of the largest bull elk and moose still roam the mountain.

• Open: Seasonal
• Distance: ~45 minutes
• Time: ~3 – 6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Bunce School Road (A Rock Playground)

Bunce is a strange trail in that half of it is ultra easy and the other half is difficult in nature. The rock playground area is the local draw with huge rock outcroppings to ride around on. There aren’t many great views up there, but there are more moose than you might imagine. It’s a great trail for a quick rip around the easy stuff while dabbling in the difficult if you choose.

• Open: Year-Round
• Distance: ~30 minutes
• Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy / Difficult

Switzerland Trail (The Other Most Popular Trail)

It’s called Switzerland Trail because of how the majority of it winds along the edge of the peaks simular to some images of roads you may have seen in Switzerland. The entire trail is considered easy by Colorado standards and has a couple offshoots that are difficult if you want to challenge yourself.

There is a lot to see up there. There are amazing vista points, water holes, trails branching out all over the place, awesome cliff edges, a picinic area, and even some old mine shafts.

A great half day ride is in the lower south half and a full day ride will allow you to see all of it.

• Open: Year-Round
• Distance: ~55 minutes
• Time: 3 – 6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Middle Saint Vrain / Park Creek (The Challenge Trail)

These trails are not for beginners. In fact, they may not even be for the experienced. If you’re looking to test your skills, this is the place for you. The benefit: The water crossings are absolutely amazing. I don’t have enough space on this page to picture all of them.

To make things even more interesting, the Park Creek trail connects to it and provides some cool features. First, you have the T-33 jet plane crash site you can ride too. Then, you have Pony Lake to the side of the trail where the moose love to hang out every day.

Although rough, this is the quentasential Colorado experience with views and wildlife to boot.

• Open: Seasonal
• Distance: ~40 minutes
• Time: 5 – 6 hours
• Difficulty: Difficult

Rollins Pass (Beauty Beyond Belief)

Although it’s 85 minutes from Estes Park, it’s worth every minute of the drive. I have literally never seen a single person make the drive and come back disapointed. Most will say it was the best Rocky Mountain experience of their life.

This is my favorite trail by far. Mostly because you feel like it’s all yours. There is hardly ever anyone else up there. I love stopping by the two alpine lakes full of trout. The Jenny Creek spur, although rocky in spots, is very fun and beautiful with wildflowers and creek crossings. There is a huge mine shaft you can walk around in and the glaciers meet and run off onto the trail. The last leg of the trail takes you up over the tundra line and to a vista point you’ll never forget.

• Open: Seasonal
• Distance: ~85 minutes
• Time: 6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Old Fall River Road (Jeeps and Car Only)

OFRR is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s the old 9 mile dirt road that takes you up to the Alpine Visitor’s Center and connects to Trail Ridge Road. Along the way you will see tons of wildlife, stunning views, and waterfalls. People love to take the doors off the Jeep and roll the top back for an open air experience.

Note: In the summer you will need a timed entry pass to get in after 8am and before 6pm. Here is the Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry web page.

• Open: Summer
• Location: Inside RMNP
• Time: 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy (Jeep or car only. 4×4 not needed)

Our Honest Recommendation

If you’re a beginner, start with Johnny Park.

If you want views + moderate challenge, try Strom Mountain.

If you’re experienced, Middle Saint Vrain is one of the best.

Frequently Asked Questions About ATV Trails Near Estes Park