I have always been a little against off-roading. I guess I was a bit of snob about nature being best experienced while hiking or boating. However, since moving to Salida, I have found a new appreciation for off-roading - not as a replacement for enjoying nature in peace and solitude, but rather as a way to access to backcountry.
One of the best things about off-roading is that just about anyone can do it. Certainly, you need more skill to do certain roads, but Chaffee County has so much public space it is not challenging to find a trail that will be thrilling, but safe, for any licensed driver.
I particularly recommend this as an activity for older guests, those visiting from low altitude, or those that are not as confident doing physical activities like hiking.
The altitude can really take it's toll during a hike, but off-roading can help reduce some of this strain. If you start to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness, it is also easier to quickly drop down to a lower elevation where you should almost immediately start to feel better.
I recommend renting a Jeep or UTV/ATV for experiencing the backcountry. UTVs and ATVs are probably the easiest for inexperienced drivers but they require a bit more work and coordination to get them to the trailhead.
I personally prefer to rent Jeeps because they have the comfort of climate control and are easy to drive to any trailhead.
One of my favorite activities to take visitors to do (especially those unfamiliar with the Rocky Mountains) is an off-road adventure to a high altitude lake where we can relax, fish and even swim (depending how brave you are in cold water!). Ask your rental location for a trail recommendation as they will be up to date on closure status and trail conditions of the local trails.
A few recommendations on where to rent from:
Rocky Mountain Jeep Rental - 345 W Rainbow Blvd, Salida, CO
Bigfoot ATV Rentals - 7535 US-50, Salida, CO
Guided Tour with Play Dirty ATV Tours - 25500 US-50, Cotopaxi, CO
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