Off-Road Parks in Colorado

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

• OHV Registration / Non-Resident Permit

  All OHVs operated on public lands or designated trails in Colorado must display a valid Colorado OHV registration sticker. Non-residents must purchase a Colorado Non-Resident OHV permit annually. Funds from these permits support trail maintenance and safety programs.

• Age and Supervision Requirements

  Youths under 10 years of age are prohibited from operating an OHV on public land. Children aged 10-15 may operate an OHV on public land only while under the direct supervision of a licensed adult; Colorado has no OHV operator safety-certificate requirement (that requirement applies to snowmobiles). An adult must be within sight and sound of the minor.

• Safety Equipment and Operation

  Operators and passengers of OHVs under 18 years of age are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet. All OHV operators must travel at a reasonable and prudent speed, ride on designated trails, and obey all posted signs and regulations. Operating an OHV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.

• Spark Arrestor and Sound Limits

  Every OHV must be equipped with a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor in good working order. Additionally, OHVs must not exceed a noise level of 96 decibels (dBA) when measured using a specific sound test procedure. These regulations help protect the environment and maintain quiet recreation for all users.

1. 01

   Research Trails and Regulations

   Pick trails or OHV areas that fit your machine and your experience, Colorado's difficulty range is wide enough to surprise people. The US Forest Service, BLM, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife publish current maps, opening dates, and area-specific rules; start there, not with a forum post.

2. 02

   Obtain Required Permits and Registration

   Register your OHV with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or pick up the non-resident permit if you're coming from out of state. Carry proof of registration and any required safety certificates on the trail, rangers do ask.

3. 03

   Prepare Your Vehicle and Gear

   Go over the machine before you load it: tires, fluids, brakes, spark arrestor. Then pack for the mountains: first-aid kit, tools, spare parts, GPS and paper maps, more water than seems necessary, and layers for weather that changes with the altitude.

4. 04

   Plan Your Route and Inform Others

   Study the route ahead of time: hazards, bail-out points, where the next fuel is. Leave the itinerary and your expected return time with someone staying home. Cell service dies fast in the Colorado backcountry, and the plan you left behind is what gets help to you.

5. 05

   Practice Leave No Trace Principles

   Stay on designated trails, pack out what you brought in, give wildlife room. The trail network stays open because riders treat it that way, every cut switchback and trashed campsite argues for closing it.