West End Trails

West End Region on Trailforks.com

Welcome to the West End region of Colorado, where awe-inspiring trails await your exploration!

A view looking along a mesa to the la sal mountains in the distance

Nestled between picturesque mountain and desert landscapes, the West End offers an outdoor paradise for adventurers of all kinds. From hikers and mountain bikers to nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers, this hidden gem beckons you to discover its remarkable trails and breathtaking beauty.

Whether you seek a heart-pumping mountain biking adventure, a leisurely hike to reconnect with the natural world, or a scenic trail run that takes your breath away, the West End trails cater to every outdoor pursuit. The trails here offer a mix of terrains, from dirt roads and double track paths to technical singletracks that will challenge your skills and ignite your passion for the great outdoors.

Choose Your Own Adventure

  • two gravel cyclists riding down a desert road in a canyon

    Gravel Riding

    Explore a challenging network of county roads, originally built for mining exploration.

    Gravel
  • Mountain bikers ride down a slickrock trail

    Mountain Biking

    Wish for squish.

    MTB
  • A hiker scrambles along a technical trail high on a mesa with the valley below

    Hiking

    Can you believe they put a cow on this trail?

    Hike
  • four mountain bikers stand next to their bikes taking in the view down a long canyon

    E-Biking

    It’s electric! Explore more of the West End.

    E-Bikes
  • Two trail runners run through a desert landscape with pinions and juniper trees

    Trail Running

    Experience the challenge of running West End trails.

    Trail Running
long road through the desert with mountains and cloudy weather in the distance

The West End Environment

The West End of San Miguel and Montrose Counties are located within the Colorado Plateau, a land of mesas, mountains and canyons. You’ll encounter a variety of flora from sage and cedar flats in the lowlands, pinion, juniper and ponderosa pines amongst the oak brush in mid elevations, and aspen, fir and spruce in the higher elevations.

The climate is temperate with moderate winters and hot summers. Precipitation varies from about 12 inches to 20 inches per year, with monsoon rains common in the summertime. Trails in the West End are rideable for most of the year, often riding when neighboring areas are not.

Recreating in the West End

Minimizing your impact on the environment ensures that others can enjoy these beautiful lands in the future. Here are a few things you can do to act like a local:

Share The Trail

Here at WETA, we believe that everyone has the right to enjoy the wilds of the West End, regardless of how they choose to recreate. You’ll likely encounter other types of trail users and recreationalists, please treat everyone you encounter with respect. When in doubt of who has the right of way, yield and say hello!

Stay on Designated Trails
Much of the soil in the West End is fragile, including large areas of cryptobiotic crusts. Minimize off-trail travel to preserve the delicate plants and soil crusts that help to make this area the untouched beauty it is. Please respect private property owners by keeping your adventuring to the trails.

Bike riders pause and stand around looking at their bikes and the views
looking down onto a river confluence from high on the mesa above

Leave what you find

Resist the urge to collect rocks, plants, or archeological or paleontological finds.

Pack out what you pack in

Including your poop! There are public trashcans and restrooms located at the Visitor’s Center in Naturita. Want to help keep our lands clean? Join the West End Trails Group on Facebook to learn how to get involved.

Featured Trail Project:
The Sawtooth & Naturita Flats Trail System

First time visiting the West End?

Visit our friends at West End Colorado for everything you need to know, from what to eat to where to stay, and so much more!

WETA Maps are available for purchase in the following locations:

Nucla

Co-Op Country

RimRocker Historical Society

Nucla Town Hall

Norwood

USFS Office

Ace Hardware

Naturita

Visitor’s Center

Naturita Sales

Blondies

Walk-In Coffee & Liquor

Rimrock Hotel

CampV

Paradox Cycles

Flying Bear Pizzeria

Telluride

Between the Covers Books

Jagged Edge Sports

Timberline Hardware

Box Canyon Bicycles

Boot Doctors (Mountain Village)

Ridgway

Ridgway Wrench

Ridgway Adventure Sports

Rigs Fly Shop

Cimmaron Roasters and Books

Grand Junction/Fruita

Ruby Canyon Cycles

Over the Edge Sports

Montrose

Public Lands Center

Bicycle Outfitters

Gateway

Gateway Canyons General Store

Gateway Glamping