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ATV & UTV rentals · Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Pick the route first. The machine follows.

Some of the best trails here only allow machines 50 inches wide or less. Others need a trailer, low water or expert experience. Tell us where you want to ride, and we’ll help match the machine, the trailer and the pickup.

Not sure which trail? Start with your group
An ATV and a red side-by-side parked on a dirt overlook above a forested canyon
A pause at a forest overlook.

Step one

Where do you want to ride?

East Fork to Elwood Pass is our most popular route, and it is for expert drivers only: upper FR 667 needs a specially equipped KRX-4 and Mike’s approval. Quartz Meadow shares the same East Fork valley, and Tucker Ponds offers another way into the Elwood Pass area. Choose your destination, then check the machine limits below.

These are route descriptions, not live trail conditions. Water crossings, snow and access change through the season. Confirm your route with Mike before you go.

East Fork to Elwood Pass

A technical climb to the Continental Divide

“This route is the real deal.”

From our trail guide

Trailer · 11 mi east · 4.5 / 5 difficulty · Expert · Mike’s approval

Our most popular route, and expert drivers only. Specially equipped KRX-4 and Mike’s approval required. Extremely narrow, steep climb and changing water levels.

Show route & machine detailsHide route & machine details
Difficulty
4.5 of 5Upper FR 667 to Elwood Pass · expert only
Getting there
Trailer required. Unload on East Fork Road (FR 667), about 11 miles east of our in-town location; roughly 20 minutes each way.
Distance & time
About 36 miles round trip via FR 667. Allow at least 6 hours.

Which machines can go

  • Shared approach: the first 8 miles of East Fork Road (FR 667)

    Shared valley approach with Quartz Meadow

    Pass Silver Falls, then stay on FR 667 at the Quartz Meadow junction. Park Creek Road (FR 380) links the pass area to the Summitville roads.

  • Upper FR 667 past the Quartz Meadow turn, to Elwood Pass (about 9 miles)

    Mike’s approval requiredKRX-4

    Not allowedOutlanderMaverickTeryxMule

    Only machines specially equipped for this route, and only for drivers who meet the expert experience requirement before renting. Call Mike first.

Watch for

The upper section is extremely narrow and steep, climbing over 3,000 vertical feet through stream crossings that can become impassable with weather, runoff and time of year. Serious injuries and loss of life have occurred. A 4-mile stretch of the approach crosses private ranch land, so stay on the road.

Turkey Springs & Devil Mountain

Backcountry canyons and mountain views

“This area has it all.”

From our trail guide

Tow or ride out · 3.5–4 / 5 difficulty

50-inch trails: Outlander or Maverick only. Larger machines stay on wider roads. Intermediate experience; wet and uneven ground can be challenging.

Show route & machine detailsHide route & machine details
Difficulty
3.5–4 of 5Intermediate experience
Getting there
Tow about 7 miles from town to the north-east trailhead, or start at our ride-out location west of town, which reaches the trail complex from the south.
Distance & time
50+ miles of riding in the area, including shorter 2–5 mile loops.

Which machines can go

  • 50-inch trail sections (about 15 miles)

    AllowedOutlanderMaverick

    Not allowedTeryxKRX-4Mule

    Only machines 50 inches wide or less are allowed. These two are the only ones in our fleet that qualify.

  • Forest roads & jeep trails

    AllowedOutlanderMaverickTeryxKRX-4Mule

    The wider roads don’t connect every section the narrow machines can reach.

Watch for

Steep, narrow sections, loose rock, wet and swampy areas, and off-camber roads with deep ruts that can tip a machine. Spring to early summer adds slick ground and a few small stream crossings.

Summitville & Greyback Mountain

Mining history and roads above tree line

“…or drive 19 miles to the town of Platoro and have lunch (great burgers).”

From our trail guide

Trailer · Tucker Ponds trailhead · 2.5–3 / 5 difficulty

Start at the Tucker Ponds trailhead. Side trails can be harder than the main roads; confirm snow access and machine suitability with Mike.

Show route & machine detailsHide route & machine details
Difficulty
2.5–3 of 5Main route · some side trails are harder
Getting there
Trailer required. Unload at the Tucker Ponds trailhead where FR 390 meets US 160, over Wolf Creek Pass; about 35 minutes from town. Snow may close this access; ask Mike about the Park Creek alternative.
Distance & time
30–60 miles round trip, depending on where you go. Allow 30–45 minutes each way to transport the machine.

Which machines can go

  • Main route

    No width or vehicle restriction listed

    FR 390 joins Park Creek Road (FR 380), providing alternate access to the Elwood Pass area. Match side trails to your machine and experience.

Watch for

Much of the route is at or above tree line, around 11,000 feet. It can snow at any time of year, and after heavy winters snow can last into July. Some roads drop off several hundred feet with no guard rails.

Blue Creek 4×4 Trail

Rocky, “roller coaster” forest trail

“If you are not sure how deep it is, go around!”

From our trail guide

Trailer · 9 mi south · 4 / 5 difficulty

Intermediate drivers. Do not go when rain is forecast. River crossings depend on runoff. Discuss the machine with Mike.

Show route & machine detailsHide route & machine details
Difficulty
4 of 5For intermediate drivers
Getting there
Trailer required. The unloading area is about 9 miles south of our location, roughly 25 minutes each way.
Distance & time
About 13 miles each way; 20–30 miles round trip with side trails.

Which machines can go

  • Blanco Road to Buckles Lake Road

    No width or vehicle restriction listed

    Talk through the right machine with Mike before you book.

Watch for

Don’t attempt it when rain is forecast: the first 4 miles can be muddy and impassable. The Blanco River crossing is only possible after spring runoff. Some mud holes are deep enough to flood a machine, and loss of life has occurred on this trail.

East Fork to Quartz Meadow

East Fork valley, Silver Falls and high mountain meadows

“Slow and steady and 4×4 recommended.”

From our trail guide, on the East Fork river crossing

Trailer · 11 mi east · 3 / 5 difficulty

Rocky final section and river crossings. Turn onto FR 684 at the East Fork junction; runoff can prevent passage.

Show route & machine detailsHide route & machine details
Difficulty
3 of 5To the end of Quartz Meadow Road
Getting there
Trailer required. Unload on East Fork Road (FR 667), about 11 miles east of our in-town location; roughly 20 minutes each way.
Distance & time
About 25 miles round trip. Allow 3–4 hours.

Which machines can go

  • East Fork Road (FR 667) to the end of Quartz Meadow Road (FR 684)

    No width or vehicle restriction listed

    The first 8 miles are relatively easy; the last 4 miles of Quartz Meadow Road are rocky and rough. The road ends at the South San Juan Wilderness boundary, where motorized travel stops.

Watch for

The East Fork crossing on FR 684 is impassable early in the season, and runoff can prevent passage. A 4-mile stretch crosses private ranch land, so stay on the road. At the 8-mile split, turn right onto FR 684: continuing on FR 667 is the separate, expert-only Elwood Pass route.

Don’t know the trails yet?

Start with who’s coming.

Your group size narrows the machines you can choose from, and the machine decides where you can go. Tell Mike who’s riding, and you can choose a route together from there.

Can-Am Outlander ATV from the rental fleetCan-Am Maverick side-by-side from the rental fleet

2 seats

  • Can-Am Outlander2-seat ATV · open air
  • Can-Am Maverick2-seat side-by-side · roof & windshield

The only machines in our fleet allowed on the 50-inch trails at Turkey Springs.

Kawasaki Teryx four-seat side-by-side from the rental fleetKawasaki KRX-4 1000 side-by-side from the rental fleet

4 seats

  • Kawasaki Teryx4-seat side-by-side
  • Kawasaki KRX-4 10004-seat side-by-side for demanding terrain

Forest roads and jeep trails at Turkey Springs, not the 50-inch trails. For upper East Fork to Elwood Pass, only a specially equipped KRX-4 qualifies. Mike must approve the machine and your expert experience before you book.

A red six-seat Kawasaki side-by-side parked on a rocky summit

6 seats

  • Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT6-seat side-by-side

Keeps everyone in one machine on forest roads and wider routes, with room to pack a tent and camping gear.

Four riders who want the 50-inch trails? That takes two 2-seat machines, and every driver must be 25 or older.

Family owned in Pagosa Springs

The scenery is the point. The machine gets you there.

“The machine is simply a piece of equipment that takes you to the mountains and more importantly returns you the same way you left, just a little dustier.”

From the Pagosa Adventure Rentals website

Mike’s family moved to Pagosa Springs from Naples, Florida, in 2005, and today Mike runs the Pagosa rentals himself. Before you head out, he’ll talk through your experience, help choose a route and show you how the machine works.

Included with every rental

  • Trailer & tie-downs
  • Fuel & cleaning
  • Trail maps & a navigation app for your phone
  • Spare tire & tools
  • Helmets
  • Operator safety orientation

“Mike took time to show us where to ride and what trails would be best for our family of 9!”

Garrett Moore · Review published on our website
Meet the family

Tow to the trailhead.
Or arrange a ride-out rental.

Your route determines where you start. Mike runs Pagosa himself and splits his time between our two locations, so call 970-398-0088 to confirm where and when to collect your rental.

Pick up in town & tow

Collect your machine and trailer at our in-town yard, 103 Goldmine Drive, open 1–5 pm. Tow to the trailhead for routes such as East Fork or Summitville.

  • Tow vehicle rated for at least 3,500 pounds
  • 2-inch ball hitch and trailer light plug
  • Trailer and tie-downs included

Gate closed in the morning? We’re still open. Call the number on the gate.

Pickup locations

Start at our ride-out location

Our ride-out location is on private property about 15 minutes west of town, with access to the Turkey Springs trail complex. Open 8:30 am–noon, seven days a week. We send the address once we receive your reservation; please don’t arrive unannounced.

Need a tow vehicle instead? A limited number are available to rent. Arrange one when reserving your ATV or UTV.

Talk through your options
A rental side-by-side on its trailer

Get ready the evening before. Night-before pickup is typically 4–5 pm, depending on the previous renter’s return. The yard opens at 1 pm, but your machine may not be ready until later. We’ll confirm the time with you.

Before you book.

Check the requirements now so pickup goes smoothly.

All rental FAQs
Do I need off-road experience?

Tell us about your experience and who’s riding. We’ll help choose a suitable route and give you an operating orientation. Some trails require intermediate or expert experience. All drivers must be at least 25.

What comes with the rental?

Your machine, trailer, tie-downs, maps, spare tire, tools, helmets and operating orientation. Fuel and standard cleaning are included, too.

Do I need a vehicle to tow?

For trailhead transport, your vehicle must tow at least 3,500 pounds and have a 2-inch ball hitch and trailer light plug. We also have a ride-out location and limited tow vehicles available to rent. Call us before booking to make arrangements.

What should I know about deposits and insurance?

Renters and drivers must be 25 or older. A 50% reservation deposit and a $2,500 damage hold per machine are required. We do not provide insurance. Please read the full rental requirements and cancellation terms.

Ready to choose your dates?

Check availability

Questions first? Call Mike at 970-398-0088

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