Guides/OHV areas
OHV area100+ miles of designated motorized routes plus connecting forest roads trail midifficulty: difficult

Taylor Park OHV Network

AgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Taylor Park OHV Network — ohv area near Almont, Colorado
Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Area vitals6 facts
Trail miles
100+ miles of designated motorized routes plus connecting forest roads
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
4WD truck/SUV, UTV / Side-by-side, ATV, Motorcycle / Dirt bike
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
Drops out fast in the basin and on the passes; service in Almont and Buena Vista.
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The Taylor Park OHV Network is a cluster of named jeep passes and connector forest roads on Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forest in central Colorado, anchored by Taylor Park Reservoir between the Sawatch Range and the Elk Mountains. The network includes Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Cumberland Pass, Mosquito Pass approach roads, Italian Creek Cutoff, and a dense network of FS roads through the basin. Several of these passes are individually catalogued; Taylor Park is the basecamp.

Most vehicles in the system are full-size 4WDs and UTVs; ATV-only restrictions are limited to a few specific trails. The basin opens with snowmelt in mid-July and closes by mid-October. Almont, north of Gunnison, is the standard western basecamp; Buena Vista is the eastern access point via Cottonwood Pass.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • High elevation. Most of the network is above 10,000 feet; passes top 12,000+. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to be off the high passes by early afternoon.
  • Width restrictions vary. Check trail signage; some routes are 50-inch only, others mixed-use.
  • Limited services. Top off in Almont, Buena Vista, or Gunnison.
  • Stream crossings. Several routes cross the Taylor River and tributaries; reduce to dry-crossing depth before entering.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 38.82000, -106.57220

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townAlmont, Colorado
PermitColorado OHV registration required for non-licensed off-road vehicles. Street-licensed 4WDs operate under standard licensing. Spark arresters required.
Agency contact970-641-0471 (Gunnison Ranger District)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmug/recreation
ClosedOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Coordinates38.82000, -106.57220

Getting there

Directions

Taylor Park sits on the Gunnison National Forest, about 33 miles from Gunnison, Colorado. The network of OHV loops surrounds Taylor Park Reservoir and ranges from wide graded dirt roads to narrow chunky single-track.

From Gunnison: Head north on CO-135 for 10 miles, then turn right on County Road 742 for 23 miles.

From Crested Butte: Head south on CO-135 to Almont (18 miles), turn left (east), and follow the Taylor River Road for 23 miles past Taylor Dam, around the reservoir, and into Taylor Park.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Taylor Park is the high basin north of Gunnison, between the Sawatch Range to the east and the Elk Mountains to the west. Taylor Park Reservoir sits at the basin floor at roughly 9,300 feet. GMUG's Gunnison Ranger District manages the network. The basin is accessed from Almont (west, via paved CR-742 up the Taylor River canyon), from Buena Vista (east, via paved Cottonwood Pass), or from Pitkin (south, via gravel Cumberland Pass).

What to Expect

The network includes named passes that each catalogue separately: Tincup Pass (Sawatch crossing to St. Elmo), Hancock Pass (Sawatch crossing to St. Elmo via Alpine Tunnel), Cumberland Pass (graded gravel to Pitkin), Italian Creek Cutoff (rough connector to Crested Butte), and several FS roads to dispersed-camping areas. Difficulty ranges from graded gravel (Cumberland) to technical 4WD (Tincup upper switchbacks). Most routes need stock 4WD with high clearance and low range; a few benefit from skid plates.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • Colorado OHV registration required for non-licensed off-road vehicles.
  • Spark arresters required.
  • Street-licensed 4WDs are permitted on all open routes.
  • The basin's main forest roads are mixed-use; named pass roads have varying width restrictions. Check signage.
  • Stay-on-route requirements apply throughout per the FS motor-vehicle use map.

Hub Trailheads

  • Tincup townsite. Old mining town at the basin's south end; gateway to Tincup Pass and Cumberland Pass.
  • Taylor Park Reservoir. Multiple boat launches and dispersed camping along the shore.
  • Dorchester area. Northern basin entry point with FS dispersed camping and the Italian Creek connector.
  • Garfield / Mirror Lake. Western basin trailheads near Tincup.

Where to Camp

Multiple developed FS campgrounds: Lakeview, Lottis Creek, Cold Spring, Spring Creek, and One Mile in the Taylor River canyon. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the basin and in the surrounding FS land with the standard 16-day stay limit. Tincup townsite has primitive camping and a small store.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Buy or print the GMUG motor-vehicle use map before riding. The signed network is dense.
  • The basin opens with snowmelt in mid-July most years. Confirm with the Gunnison Ranger District (970-641-0471).
  • Top off in Almont, Buena Vista, or Gunnison. The Tincup store is small and seasonal.
  • Plan multi-day stays. The named passes deserve individual days.
  • Cell service drops fast. Carry navigation backups.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Taylor Park OHV Network?
Taylor Park OHV Network is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Taylor Park OHV Network?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Do you need a permit for Taylor Park OHV Network?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Taylor Park OHV Network?
Drops out fast in the basin and on the passes; service in Almont and Buena Vista.