Denver 4x4 Jeep Tour: You Drive Mountain Trails & Ghost Towns

Colorado mountain roads, old mining towns and you behind the wheel

You’ll drive your own Jeep through Colorado’s high country near Denver with a local guide leading the way—over rocky trails, past ghost towns, and up to alpine lakes like Bill Moore or Saint Mary’s Glacier. Every turn is yours to make (with coaching if you want), group sizes are small, and you’ll feel that mountain air in your lungs long after you’re back in town.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a real off-road Jeep (you drive), expert coaching from a local guide via rugged radios as you follow their lead vehicle through Colorado’s mountains near Denver, bottled water for everyone in your group, all required government fees—and flexible trail choices based on weather and your comfort level before heading back down at your own pace.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

82 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive Jeep on scenic mountain trails

• Receive Jeep and coaching
• Drive to Bill Moore Lake
• Explore trails near Saint Mary's Glacier
• Drive up to 13,132 feet viewpoint
• Choose trail difficulty with guide

The Experience

Hands gripping the wheel tighter than I expected, I followed our guide’s taillights up some rocky trail outside Black Hawk. The first few minutes were a blur—engine humming under my feet, pine needles flicking past the open window. Our guide, Dave, radioed back with tips (“take it slow here, left tire on the rock”) and a story about how miners used to blast these roads open. I could smell that cold, dusty air you only get above tree line—kind of metallic and sharp. Honestly, I was nervous at first. But Dave just laughed and said everyone feels that way until they hit their first bump.

We stopped at what looked like an abandoned shack—turns out it was part of an old mining ghost town. There was this weird silence when we stepped out; just wind and the crunch of gravel under boots. Dave pointed out rusted tools half-buried in the dirt, told us about a family who tried to homestead here (I can’t imagine winters). The sun kept slipping behind clouds, throwing patches of light over the Continental Divide. My hands were still buzzing from steering over those rocks. At one point I tried to say “Saint Mary’s Glacier” in my best Colorado accent—my partner rolled her eyes so hard she almost fell over.

The road up to Bill Moore Lake got rougher—lots of bouncing around and more than one “whoa!” from the back seat. We got to pick our route together with Dave based on how brave we felt (I went for “medium,” but honestly it felt wild enough). Lunch was just bottled water and granola bars we’d packed ourselves, but eating by that icy blue lake at 11,000 feet made it taste like something special anyway. There’s something about being way up there with nothing but wind and pines for company—I still think about that view sometimes when traffic gets bad back home.

Top questions

Do I really get to drive my own Jeep on this tour?

Yes, you drive your own off-road Jeep while following an expert guide who leads and coaches you along the way.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour includes pickup arrangements; check with your operator for details when booking.

Are there different trail options?

Yes, trails are chosen together with your guide based on weather conditions and your preferred difficulty level.

How difficult are the trails?

The difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult; you can decide how challenging you want it to be with your guide.

What sights will we see?

You may visit places like Saint Mary’s Glacier, Yankee Hill Road ghost towns, or Bill Moore Lake depending on chosen route.

Is lunch provided?

No full lunch is provided; bottled water is included but bring snacks or food if desired.

How high do we go during the tour?

You can drive up to 13,132 feet depending on trail selection and conditions.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Can beginners join this 4x4 tour?

No off-roading experience is needed; guides coach you through everything step by step.