Navigation, offline maps, and more on the free Roam app.

Get the App

Red Elephant Hill

Length9.4 km
Technical Rating5 - 7
SurfaceRocky
NavigationPoint to Point
LocationDownieville-Lawson-Dumont, CO
Best TimesSummer, Fall
Road Identifiers171.1, 171.3A, FR# 171.3A
Download GPX

No elevation data available

Description

Red Elephant Hill is a well-known off-road trail near Empire, Colorado, offering a rewarding challenge for adventurous drivers. Approximately 5.8 miles long, it's a key part of the larger Empire Loop trail network, which also includes routes like Bill Moore Lake and Mill Creek. The trail climbs steeply up the side of Red Elephant Hill, featuring a mix of loose rocks, dirt, and significant rock obstacles. You'll navigate narrow ledge roads with some tippy sections and enjoy scenic views, especially from the top. It's a great trail for honing your off-road skills, but be prepared for potential pinstriping from close trees and the need for careful tire placement. The historic Empire Hilton cabin is a notable point of interest along or near the route. The trail passes through the Arapaho National Forest and some private property, so staying on the marked path is important.

Directions

To reach Red Elephant Hill, take I-70 to Exit 234 for Downieville/Lawson/Dumont. If coming from the east (Denver), turn right into Downieville. If coming from the west, turn left. Then, make a left onto County Road 308 (the frontage road on the north side of I-70) and head west for about 1.2 miles. After you pass under I-70 for the second time, look for an immediate right turn. This road passes through a residential area; the trail begins at the end of this street. Many off-roaders choose to air down their tires in Downieville before heading to the trailhead.

Difficulty

This trail offers a good challenge and is a great place to sharpen your off-roading skills. It starts with a continuous, steep climb on often loose rocks. You'll encounter several tricky sections:

  • Narrow Ledges: Parts of the trail are narrow and run along steep slopes where mistakes can be hard to recover from, so careful driving is essential.
  • Rocky Obstacles: Expect various rock obstacles. The 'Big Rocks' section is particularly notable, being very steep with large, sometimes slanted and dirt-covered rocks that make holding your line difficult. There's also 'Poser Rocks' and other boulder fields. Some obstacles involve rock steps and tree roots, often on inclines.
  • Tippy Spots: Some areas can make your vehicle lean uncomfortably, requiring careful maneuvering.
  • Loose Surfaces: Traction can be tricky on loose rocks and dirt, and conditions can worsen if the ground is wet.
  • Tight Turns & Trees: Be mindful of tight turns and trees close to the trail that could cause pinstriping or scrapes to your vehicle.

High-clearance 4x4 vehicles are essential. Vehicles with some modifications like a small lift, larger off-road tires, and skid plates are highly recommended. It's generally not considered suitable for stock vehicles. While challenging, many find Red Elephant Hill a fun and rewarding drive.

Trail Uses

  • Off-Road Vehicles
  • 4x4 Vehicle
  • All-Terrain Vehicle
v1Last edited Jun 13, 2025

The text and geometry of this object available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license