Top 5 Places to Explore in a Side-by-Side in Western Colorado

If you own a side-by-side — or you’ve been thinking about renting one — Western Colorado

should be at the top of your adventure bucket list. Massive trail systems, hidden arches, mountain overlooks, petrified sand dunes, and desert canyons make this area one of the best off-road destinations in the country.

Whether you’re looking for scenic cruising, technical terrain, or unforgettable views, these are

the top 5 places to explore in a UTV or side-by-side in Western Colorado.

1. Bangs Canyon Recreation Area – Grand Junction, Colorado

Bangs Canyon is one of the most unique off-road destinations in Western Colorado located on the base of the Colorado National Monument.

This area offers:

• Rugged canyon terrain

• Massive cliffside views

• Redrock off-road trails

• Technical trail sections

• Scenic overlooks

• Access to incredible backcountry landscapes

It’s also home to famous areas like the Mica Mine trail and incredible views overlooking the

Grand Valley. Bangs Canyon gives riders that "Mini Moab” adventure feeling while still being close to Grand Junction.

Perfect for:

• Intermediate riders

• Adventure seekers

• Scenic exploration

• Sunset rides

2. Grand Valley OHV Area – Grand Junction, Colorado

One of Western Colorado’s hidden gems, featuring 550,000+ acres of open off-road terrain with single track, ATV, UTV and Jeep trails.

The Grand Valley OHV area features:

• Huge trail networks

• Petrified sand dunes

• Open riding areas

• Hill climbs

• Scenic overlooks

• Dirt bike track

• Off-road obstacle course

  
  

There’s terrain for nearly every skill level, making it one of the best places for families, first-time riders, and experienced off-roaders alike.

Bonus: You get unreal panoramic views overlooking the Grand Valley, the Colorado National Monument and surrounding mesas.

Perfect for:

• Beginner riders

• Intermediate riders

• Adventure seekers

• Scenic exploration

• Sunset rides

• Family & large group rides

3. Rabbit Valley OHV Area – Western Colorado / Utah Border

Rabbit Valley feels like stepping onto another planet, offering riders one of the most unique desert off-road experiences in Western Colorado near the Colorado-Utah border.

This area offers:

• Desert canyons

• Massive rock formations

• Open desert riding

• Technical trail sections

• Endless scenic exploration

• Incredible high desert views

Rabbit Valley connects riders to miles of rugged backcountry terrain and some of the most diverse off-road landscapes in the region. You’ll also find famous features like dinosaur history sites, remote backcountry camping areas, and unforgettable Western Colorado desert scenery. If you want the “true desert off-road experience,” Rabbit Valley delivers.

Perfect for:

• Intermediate riders

• Adventure seekers

• Scenic exploration

• Desert riding enthusiasts

• Camping and overlanding adventures

4. Grand Mesa National Forest – Western Colorado High Country

Need a break from the desert heat? Head high into the mountains of the Grand Mesa National Forest.

Known as the world’s largest flat-top mountain, the Grand Mesa offers riders a completely different off-road experience in Western Colorado with cool temperatures, alpine scenery, and endless forest roads.

This area offers:

• Cooler mountain temperatures

• Scenic forest roads

• Alpine lakes and reservoirs

• Aspen tree groves

• Mountain overlooks

• Peaceful high-country riding

  
  

The Grand Mesa is famous for its 300+ stream-fed alpine lakes and reservoirs scattered across the top of the mountain, creating one of the most unique high-country landscapes in Colorado.

You’ll also find incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, seasonal wildflowers, and some of the best fall colors in Colorado.

Perfect for:

• Scenic cruising

• Wildlife spotting

• Fall color rides

• Relaxed family adventures

• High-country exploration

  
  

It’s hard to beat riding through the mountains surrounded by crisp air, towering aspens, endless forest views, and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

5. Rattlesnake Arches – McInnis Canyons Conservation Area

Want to explore one of Western Colorado’s hidden gems? Rattlesnake Arches offers an unforgettable off-road adventure through remote canyon country and rugged desert landscapes.

This area offers:

• Remote canyon riding

• Scenic overlooks

• Hidden natural sandstone arches

• Rugged desert terrain

• Backcountry exploration

• Incredible red rock scenery

  
  

Located within the McInnis Canyons area near Grand Junction, Colorado, Rattlesnake Arches is home to the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the world. The area features 8–9 major arches along the main trail and more than 35 total natural sandstone arches throughout the surrounding canyon system, creating one of the most unique hidden gems in Western Colorado.

This area feels untouched and wild, giving riders a true backcountry exploration experience far from the crowds. The journey itself is half the adventure, with breathtaking canyon views, rugged desert terrain, and incredible scenery around nearly every corner.

Perfect for:

• Adventure seekers

• Scenic exploration

• Backcountry riders

• Photography enthusiasts

• Riders looking for hidden gems in Western Colorado

  
  

Bonus Mention: Wild Horse Sanctuary, De Beque, Colorado

If you’ve never seen wild horses while exploring the backcountry in a UTV, this experience is something truly unforgettable.

Located between De Beque and Grand Junction, the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is one of only three wild horse ranges in the United States specifically protected for wild horses.

Spanning more than 36,000 acres of rugged canyons, plateaus, sagebrush parks, and pinyon-juniper hills, this area offers one of the most unique off-road adventures in Western Colorado.

This area offers:

• Open desert trails

• Incredible canyon and mountain views

• Opportunities to spot wild horses

• Quiet backcountry exploration

• Rugged canyon terrain

• Remote high desert scenery

More than 100 wild horses roam freely throughout the area, creating an unforgettable riding experience surrounded by untouched Western Colorado landscapes. The De Beque area is one of the most underrated off-road destinations in the region, combining scenic riding, wildlife viewing, and peaceful backcountry exploration far from the crowds.

Perfect for:

• Scenic explorers

• Wildlife lovers

• Families and beginners

• Photography enthusiasts

• Riders looking for a peaceful adventure

  
  

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Western Colorado experience beyond the typical trail ride, the Wild Horse Sanctuary area delivers something truly special.

Why Western Colorado is an Off-Road Paradise?

Western Colorado is one of the most diverse off-road destinations in the country, offering an incredible mix of terrain, scenery, and adventure all within a few hours of each other.

In a single weekend trip, riders can experience:

• Rugged desert trails

• High mountain terrain

• Petrified sand dunes and slickrock

• Forest service roads

• Technical rock crawling

• Scenic overlooks

• Remote canyons and hidden gems

  
  

What makes Western Colorado truly special is the variety. One day you can explore red rock desert landscapes near the Utah border, and the next you can be riding through alpine forests surrounded by cool mountain air and crystal-clear lakes.

With hundreds of thousands of acres of public land and endless opportunities for exploration, Western Colorado has become a bucket-list destination for off-road enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Whether you ride a UTV, ATV, dirt bike, or overland vehicle, there’s an adventure waiting around every corner. From adrenaline-filled terrain to peaceful scenic cruising, Western Colorado delivers unforgettable memories every time the wheels hit the dirt.