OHV & Off-Road
ATV & Off-Road Riding Near Buena Vista
Chaffee County is loaded with OHV trails, ghost towns, and alpine terrain. Our property has a circular driveway built for trailers.
Buena Vista is surrounded by national forest land with hundreds of miles of designated OHV routes. The terrain ranges from smooth doubletrack through aspen groves to rocky high-alpine routes above 12,000 feet. The area draws serious riders from across the state, and the access from BV is genuinely convenient.
Our rental has a full circular driveway and ample off-street parking, so pulling in with a trailer is no problem. Load up in the morning, hit the trails, and be back for dinner downtown.
🏚️ St. Elmo Ghost Town via Chalk Creek Canyon
Most popular OHV destination from BV · Suitable for most ATVs and UTVs
St. Elmo is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Colorado and sits about 14 miles up Chalk Creek Canyon (County Road 162 from US 285). You can drive a regular vehicle to town, but an ATV or UTV lets you keep going past St. Elmo into the high alpine terrain above, including routes toward Tincup Pass and Hancock Pass.
The town itself has original buildings still standing from the 1880s silver and gold rush era. The ground squirrels that have claimed the property are completely unafraid of people and have become an unofficial local attraction. From St. Elmo, the terrain opens up considerably for more challenging OHV riding.
St. Elmo Basics
- Access: CR 162 from US 285/24 junction near Nathrop (~30 min from BV)
- Distance from BV: ~14 miles up the canyon
- Road to town: Passenger vehicle accessible (dirt road)
- Beyond town: 4WD, ATV, or UTV recommended
- Passes nearby: Tincup Pass (12,154 ft), Hancock Pass
🗺️ Chaffee County OHV Trail System
Designated trails on San Isabel & Gunnison National Forest land
What to Expect
Chaffee County manages a network of OHV-designated routes on surrounding national forest land. Trail conditions vary widely with the season. Most routes are open from late spring through fall, depending on snowpack. Check with the Salida Ranger District before heading out for current conditions and closure information.
USFS OHV Info ↗Registration & Rules
OHVs must be registered in Colorado and display proper registration while on public trails. Riders must stay on designated routes. Some trails cross private land, so follow posted signs carefully. Helmets are required for anyone under 18 on public trails in Colorado.
Chaffee County Info ↗🏔️ Ptarmigan Lake & Alpine Routes
High-altitude terrain with exceptional views
For riders who want to get up into the alpine zone, routes west of BV climb into the 12,000-foot range with views of the Collegiate Peaks on all sides. Ptarmigan Lake sits above treeline in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area and is accessible via trail on foot or, for portions of the approach, by OHV on non-wilderness sections.
Be aware that some of the routes in this area transition from OHV-legal national forest land into designated wilderness, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. Know the boundaries before you ride.
Ptarmigan Lake Trail Info ↗Trailering to BV: What to Know
- ✓Our property has a full circular driveway. Backing in trailers is straightforward with clear sight lines.
- ✓The driveway is on 2 private acres with no shared parking conflicts. Overnight trailer parking is not a problem.
- ✓Most trailheads west and south of BV are 20 to 40 minutes from the property. None require driving through downtown with a trailer.
- ✓Fuel up in BV before heading out. Gas is not available at any of the OHV staging areas.
- ✓Cell service is limited or nonexistent on most high-altitude routes. Download offline maps before you leave.
- ✓Weather changes fast above 11,000 feet. Pack rain gear even on clear mornings.
The Right Home Base for Riders
2 acres, circular driveway, ample trailer parking. Our BV property was built for people who show up with gear.