ATV Riding Colorado: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

Drive two mountain passes and a ghost town in one full-day Alpine Loop expedition

An 8-hour UTV expedition through Colorado's San Juan Mountains where you drive a premium Polaris RZR across the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, navigating Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass while visiting Animas Forks Ghost Town and Lake City. GPS navigation, helmets and goggles, and standard insurance are included. A live guide in English leads the route; children are welcome from age 1.

The Experience

What does it take to complete the Alpine Loop in a single day? A Polaris RZR built for high-altitude terrain, a route that climbs above 12,000 feet, and eight hours of driving across some of Colorado's most remote mountain passes. You operate the vehicle yourself—this is not a sightseeing tour where someone else drives. The RZR handles the rugged terrain of Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass, two of the most technical sections of the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, while you navigate the switchbacks and rocky descents. GPS navigation comes built in, so route-finding is handled; helmets and goggles are provided.

The day moves through three distinct landscapes. Lake City sits at the start, a historic mining town nestled in the San Juan range. From there the route climbs toward Engineer Pass, where the views open across high-alpine peaks and waterfalls. Animas Forks Ghost Town appears mid-route—a preserved settlement from Colorado's mining era, accessible only by off-road vehicle. The terrain shifts between alpine meadows, mining relics, and exposed ridgelines. Cinnamon Pass completes the loop on the return, another high-altitude crossing that rounds out the bucket-list experience. Standard insurance covers the vehicle; you need at least moderate physical fitness for the full eight hours of driving and the altitude exposure.

A live guide in English leads the expedition, though the commentary style and depth depend on your chosen option at checkout. Children from age 1 are welcome, though the duration and altitude mean older kids typically get more from the experience. Service animals are allowed. The full day is built around completing the entire Alpine Loop—not a sampling of it—which is why this route has become the defining off-road adventure in Colorado for riders who want to see the most iconic terrain in a single push.

What’s included

• GPS navigation system.
• helmets and goggles.
• standard vehicle insurance.
• live guide in English.
• access to the full Alpine Loop Scenic Byway including Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Animas Forks Ghost Town and Lake City.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Pirate Backcountry Adventures

Is this one for you?The live guide delivers commentary in English throughout the route, so language is not a barrier. This works for anyone with moderate fitness who wants to drive an off-road vehicle themselves rather than ride as a passenger—the eight-hour day and the altitude are what shape the choice, not the skill level required.

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Top questions

What are Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass like to drive?

Both are high-altitude mountain crossings above 12,000 feet with switchbacks, rocky terrain, and steep grades. Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass are the technical centerpieces of the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway and require a capable vehicle like the Polaris RZR; standard vehicles cannot access them.

Can I drive the Alpine Loop if I've never operated an off-road vehicle before?

Yes. The Polaris RZR is designed for comfort and performance on rough terrain, and a live guide leads the route. You need moderate physical fitness for the eight-hour day and the altitude, but prior off-road experience is not required.

What is Animas Forks Ghost Town?

Animas Forks is a preserved mining settlement in the San Juan Mountains, accessible only by off-road vehicle. The ghost town sits along the Alpine Loop route and offers a stop to explore the historic structures and mining relics from Colorado's boom era.

How high does the Alpine Loop climb?

Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass both exceed 12,000 feet elevation. The high-altitude terrain is part of what makes the Alpine Loop a bucket-list route, and the views from the passes stretch across rugged peaks and alpine meadows.

Is this expedition guided, or do I navigate on my own?

A live guide in English leads the expedition and handles route commentary. GPS navigation is built into the Polaris RZR, so you have both guidance and navigation support throughout the eight-hour day.

Can children ride along on the Alpine Loop expedition?

Children are welcome from age 1. The eight-hour duration and high altitude mean the experience works best for older children who can handle the length and elevation, but younger children can ride as passengers in the RZR.