Willow Creek Trail System (and Others) - Rand, Colorado
Top Dirt Biking & Singletrack Areas Near Rand, CO
1. Willow Creek and Snyder Creek Trail System (I LOVE Willow Creek)
Located in the Routt National Forest, this system boasts approximately 100 miles of trails, ranging from easy forest roads to challenging singletrack with stream crossings and rocky sections. Access points include the Snyder Creek, Willow Creek, and Illinois Pass trailheads. The trails are open from June 15 to December 1 and require a Colorado OHV sticker. Additional Reference: RiderPlanet USA
2. Parkview Creek Trail (#1226.1C)
This trail near Rand offers a technical singletrack experience through dense forest terrain. It's popular among experienced riders seeking a challenging ride.
3. North Sand Hills OHV Area
Approximately 11 miles northeast of Walden, this is Colorado's only open sand dune area for OHV recreation. It provides unique riding opportunities for dirt bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides, and sand rails, with connecting trails into the State Forest State Park and adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands. The area features a small campground with 13 pull-through units and is seasonally closed from December 15 to April 15. While we haven’t camped here in years, it’s a fun spot with some enjoyable trails. Additional Reference: Bureau of Land Management+1Stay The Trail+1
Camping & Staging Options
For those looking to camp near Rand, dispersed camping is available off Forest Roads 50 and 740. See my post on Rand camping with GPS waypoints (here). These areas offer scenic views and are suitable for larger campers. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly. Colorado Camping and Dirt Biking
Essential Tips
Permits: Ensure you have a valid Colorado OHV sticker; non-residents require a separate permit.
Equipment: A spark arrestor is mandatory for all vehicles.
Seasonal Access: Many trails are open from mid-June to December 1, depending on snow conditions. If you go early in the season, expect a lot of fallen logs.
Navigation: Cell service is limited; consider downloading offline maps or using GPS devices.
