Respecting trail closures is part of good trail etiquette. We have seasonal information on when trails are open and ready to ride.
Locked gates and posted signage are frequently present to help clarify seasonal trail closures, but not in all locations. Note that most of these closure dates coincide pretty well with no-go mud and deep snow conditions, so are pretty easy to abide, given a little patience.
White River National Forest (WRNF) Routes
White River National Forest
Smuggler Mountain / Hunter Creek Area, Arbaney-Kittle Trail, Hay Park Area, Basalt Mountain Area, Thompson Divide Area, Sunlight Mountain + Babbish Gulch, Forest Hollow Trail. Bikes are prohibited on WRNF routes from November 23 through May 22.
Government Trail & Anaerobic Nightmare
Same WRNF winter closure as above: Nov. 23. The new opening date is June 28 (formerly June 21). Please respect the late opening date for elk calving season.
Tom Blake & Sequel Trails
Same WRNF winter closure as above: Nov. 23. Opening date is June 21. Please respect the late opening date for elk calving season.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Routes
Crown BLM / Prince Creek
Seasonal closure for bikes on Crown BLM routes December 1 through April 15.
Lower Prince Creek trails (South Porcupine Ditch and below) are open all year round, so it’s a good area for winter fat biking.
Lorax Trail Area
Seasonal closure for bikes on Lorax area BLM routes from December 1 through April 15.
Red Hill (aka Mushroom Rock)
Elk Traverse and North side trails, seasonal closure is from December 1 through April 15.
All trails from the Trailhead up and out to the south end of Elk Traverse are open year round; winter snow and spring mud conditions exist often, so it’s best to ride when trails are cold and frozen.
Sutey Ranch
Sutey Ranch’s Northside Access Trail to Red Hill SRMA is closed to bikes from October 1 through May 31. No other routes from this trailhead are open to mountain bikes. Please respect this sensitive area, and enjoy it during the short 4 months it’s open to bikes: June – September.
New Castle Area
Seasonal closure for bikes on BLM routes north of New Castle, from December 1 through April 15.
Grand Hogback Trail System
Seasonal closure for bikes on BLM trail system north of Rile, from December 1 through April 15.
Other Areas
Town of Snowmass Village
North Rim Trail (north of Sinclair Road) is seasonally closed from December 1 through May 15 for wildlife. The eastern portion of the Tom Blake Trail is closed from April 25 through June 20 for elk calving season.
Snowmass Bike Park (managed by Aspen Skiing Company)
The gondola and lift-accessed downhill trail season is typically mid-June to end of September. Find more info at AspenSnowmass.com.
Rio Grande Trail (managed by Roaring Fork Transit Authority)
Rock Bottom Ranch to Catherine Store segment is seasonally closed December 1, 5 pm – April 30, 5 pm.
Sky Mountain Park (managed by Pitkin County Open Space & Trails)
Seasonal wildlife closure is in effect from Dec. 1 through May 15.
Glassier Open Space (managed by Pitkin County Open Space & Trails)
Seasonal wildlife closure is in effect from Dec. 1 through April 30. Take note that this opening date is about two weeks later than the adjacent Crown BLM area, including Vasten and Buckhorn Traverse trails, plan your ride accordingly.
South Canyon Trails (managed by City of Glenwood Springs)
Lower Coal Camp trail (Meadow Loop) seasonal closure is in effect from Dec. 1 through April 30.
Upper Coal Camp trail, seasonal closure in effect from Dec. 1 through May 15.
