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Rainbow Trail

Custer County, Colorado

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The Rainbow Trail runs for over 100 miles along the eastern edge of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Salida to Westcliffe. Medano Pass Road intersects the Rainbow Trail before terminating in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Only licensed, street-legal vehicles are allowed west of the Medano Pass summit and into the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Popular Trails in This Area

RD559 Medano Pass
TR1336 Rainbow Trail

Detailed Description

The Rainbow Trail is open to motorcycles and ATVs. The Medano Pass Trail is open to licensed, street-legal full-size 4WD vehicles and motorcycles.

Note

Only street-legal, licensed vehicles are allowed to enter the Medano Pass trail from the west through Great Sand Dunes National Park. Unlicensed vehicles are allowed to approach the park from the east but must turn around at Medano Pass and are not allowed to enter the Great Sand Dunes National Park or Preserve.

How To Get There

From Westcliffe: Head south on S 6th St/CO-69 for approx. 3 miles. Turn right at County Rd-140/Schoolfield Rd. Continue on County Rd-140 for approx 5.5 miles to Alvarado Campground

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Trail System Information

Location:

N38 04.946 W105 33.673

View Full-Window Map (MVUM Layer Available)

Get Directions (Google Maps)

Location is:

Unspecified

Nearest City:

Westcliffe

Difficulty:

Distance:

Time:

Elevation:

to feet

Best For:

ATV

Motorcycle

Note that not all of the trails in an area will be open to all vehicle types. Follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM)s and signage for the area and ride only on trails open to and wider than your OHV.

More Info:

San Carlos Ranger District, (719) 269-8500

Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grassland, (719) 553-1400

Forest / Grassland MVUM Page

Trail System Maps and GPS Files

Click filename to download.

PSI_SanCarlos_North_2012.pdf

Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)

San Carlos Ranger District - North

Adobe Acrobat PDF (2169.6 KB)

How to Print Sections of a Motor Vehicle Use Map

Know Before You Go

Maps and data files are from a variety of sources. Trail and area conditions vary widely and many trails and areas may have changed significantly since the map or data file was created. Use your discretion and check with the local land management agency before riding or driving on public lands. Ride and drive at your own risk. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE!
Not all routes are open to all vehicles. Follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) and signage for the area and ride only on trails open to and wider than your OHV. Almost all trails in Colorado are subject to seasonal restrictions and closures. Visit the road and trail closure info page for more information. Call the responsible agency before making plans to ride in an area.
All vehicles operated on designated OHV routes in Colorado must have a registration or permit issued by Colorado State Parks including those of non-residents. For more information, visit the State Parks OHV Program Page.
Some vehicles such as ATVs and side-by-sides are never street legal in Colorado even if licensed and plated in their home state. These vehicles must have a valid Colorado OHV registration or permit to be used on trails on public lands in Colorado.
This symbol indicates areas where most routes are open only to licensed, street-legal vehicles. Please refer to the MVUM for designated ATV and dirt bike routes.