Rules and Regulations
Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway Rules & Regulations
The Alpine Loop is located on U.S Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management public lands, and in Hinsdale, San Juan, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. Please respect all rules and regulations and follow Stay the Trail and Tread Lightly! principles. The following rules and regulations are subject to change without notice, especially in an emergency.
Responsible operation and respect for the rights of others and for natural resources will help keep public lands open and available for motorized enthusiasts. Please remember that these roads and trails are also shared with bikes, horses, and hikers. Damage to roads, trails, and other areas is not allowed. You can be ticketed for damaging roads or trails even if they are posted as open. On roads and trails designated as open to motorized vehicles, consider the condition of the surface and your ability to successfully travel without damage to yourself, your vehicle, or the road or trail surface.
OHV Regulations
OHVs are allowed on most Alpine Loop roads. OHVs as defined in Colorado state law include motorcycles, dirt bikes, three-wheelers, ATVs, surplus military vehicles, and dune buggies. OHVs must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Out of state OHVs even with license plates and OHV permits issued by another state are still considered as unlicensed vehicles in Colorado.
Generally, if Alpine Loop roads are open to passenger vehicles, they are open to OHVs. There are exceptions when roads are closed for emergencies, resource restoration, or to mitigate wildlife impacts and within municipalities. This website will keep road information updated and please check with the local Ranger District or BLM Field Office for the latest information.
All OHV use on county and federal roads adjacent to the Alpine Loop and beyond must comply with Colorado State motor vehicle statutes, follow posted speed limits, and follow county OHV regulations.
Alpine Loop County OHV Regulations:
All OHV operators and passengers in San Miguel, San Juan, Ouray and Hinsdale Counties (Alpine Loop) must meet the following requirements:
MUST have a current Colorado OHV permit. Note: Colorado does not recognize permits from other states.
Operators must have a valid driver’s license in their possession.
Must have proof of current OHV liability insurance.
Required to wear a restraint/seatbelt if: the OHV manufacturer originally incorporated restraint or child car seats. Child car seats and restraints must be used in accordance with Colorado motor vehicle laws CRS 42-4-236.
Under 18yrs must wear a DOT-approved helmet unless in a child seat or age-appropriate restraint. Child helmet exception is applicable ONLY for OHVs designed and manufactured to support a child seat.
Required to have proper eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, goggles, etc.). OHVs with windshields do satisfy this requirement.
May not carry more passengers than designated by the manufacturer. All passengers must be seated in designated seating per manufacturer specifications.
It is unlawful to operate any vehicle off of designated streets, roads, highways or trails.
It is unlawful to access the Alpine Loop roads & trails from private property.
The following OHV sound limits must be met:
99 dB(A) if manufactured before 1/1/1998
96 dB(A) if manufactured after 1/1/1998
Specific Restrictions/Closures
No motorized vehicles or mechanized bicycles are allowed in Wilderness Areas.
OHVs are prohibited in the Towns of Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Ophir. Please respect these local laws and plan accordingly.
OHVs are allowed on State Highway 149 ONLY in the Town of Lake City, north to the Lake City Bakery and south to County Rd. 30 (Lake Road). OHVs are NOT allowed to proceed on State Highway 149 beyond the County Road 30 intersection or on any other state or federal highways. This use is allowed seasonally from Friday of Father’s Day Weekend to September 30 for 2024 and 2025. Learn more.
Black Bear Pass is one-way (downhill) from the top of the pass to the San Miguel County Road at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. Learn more.
OHVs are allowed on the passenger car roads of the Upper Piedra within Hinsdale County. Learn more.
Fines
Fines vary by offense and jurisdiction. USFS fines can be up to $5000 and 6 months in jail. Fines for riding off designated roads & trails begin at $250. Offenses incurred while hunting can include losing preference points as well as monetary fines or jail time. State and County fines may be additional.
Learn More About County Regulations
Additional Information
Access Through Gates
Never block a gate or closed road. Life saving emergency access may be necessary. Leave gates as you find them; they may be used to manage livestock.
Off-Road Travel
Parking is allowed up to one vehicle length adjacent to open USFS and BLM roads and motorized trails. For the purpose of dispersed camping on USFS & BLM land, motorized vehicles can travel up to 300 feet off an open road, but only if such travel does not cause resource damage or is not prohibited. Off-road travel is prohibited for any other purpose unless permitted under Federal law or regulation. Parking along county roads varies by county, please follow signage.
Seasonal Road Closures
The Alpine Loop roads are only open for motorized travel as allowed by snow removal for the summer and fall seasons. Closure dates are generally October - June. We will post specific information here when it is available.
Hunting & Wildlife Regulations
While hunting, all federal, state & local motorized travel rules apply. The use of OHVs to retrieve game is allowed only on roads and trails which are designated as open to such motorized vehicles. It is illegal to hunt, chase, pursue, harass or shoot at wildlife from any motorized vehicle. Firearms (except handguns) must be unloaded in chamber and magazine while carried on an OHV. Firearms (except handguns) and bows carried on an OHV must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case.
To obtain hunting permits for for additional information on wildlife and wildlife closures, contact the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (970) 247-0855 or online at cpw.state.co.us
Emergencies
Please be aware that in most areas of the Alpine Loop you will be entering the backcountry with very limited cell phone access. Be prepared to be able to spend a night outside. Don’t forget appropriate clothing, shoes, food and water. EMS response is limited and may be delayed. Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) cards are available from the State of Colorado and locally at many outdoor gear stores. Your purchase will help fund Search & Rescue efforts across the state, including possibly your own.
In case of emergency, call 911. For non-emergency matters, contact the local county Sheriff’s offices:
San Juan County Sheriff (970) 387-5531
Hinsdale County Sheriff (970) 944-2291
Ouray County Sheriff (970) 325-7272
San Miguel County Sheriff (970) 728-1911
County Emergency Alert Sign-Up
Vehicle Definitions
Off-highway vehicle (OHV)
Any motor vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain. (36 Code of Federal Regulations 212.1). They do not have to be street legal but they must be registered in Colorado to ride on public lands and comply with all local regulations.
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
A type of all terrain vehicle that travels on three or more low-pressure tires, has handle bar steering, and is less than or equal to 50 inches in width. Colorado does not allow or recognize ATVs as street legal.
Utility Vehicle (UTV or ROV)
A type of all terrain vehicle that travels on four or more low pressure tires, has a steering wheel and is designed for side by side seating. Most are greater than 50” wide, but some models are less than 50”. Colorado does not allow or recognize UTV’s as street legal.
Motorcycle
A two-wheeled motor vehicle on which the two wheels are not side-by-side, but in line. Motorcycles can be street legal or OHV’s. Legally licensed plated motorcycles do not need to also be registered as OHV’s.
Snow Machines
These rules do NOT apply to snow machines operating over snow.