Governor Basin OHV Road is a 15.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ridgway, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for off road driving and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
See historic mine structures and incredible wildflowers. Gorgeous high-elevation scenery, incredible wildflowers and standing mine buildings. Trail accesses historic mines including the massive Virginius Mine and the Mountain Top Mine. Mines are on private land, so you may not be able to drive all the way to them. View from a distance and stay out of buildings. Popular trail for Jeep tours. High Point 12,020 ft., Best time to go: Mid July-Sept. Located in Uncompahgre National Forest. For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. Rocky, narrow and tippy in spots, but the main trail is suitable for high-clearance, aggressive stock SUVs. Side trails are more difficult. Experienced drivers only.
For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300.
This trail climbs rapidly to above 12,000 ft. Carry plenty water, food, rain gear and warm clothing. Wildflowers are best in early season. Verify legality of lesser side roads using latest Motor Vehicle Use Map available at Ouray Ranger District. Trail conditions can change without notice.
September 3, 2020
August 23, 2020August 14, 2020Awesome Trail. Definitely was hard at some points and would not go up with anything less. The straight away before the switchbacks is very tight. Gets more difficult after you cross the creek. Great views from the top.
July 13, 2020Fun narrow and rocky trail. Gets harder near the top but we made it in a stock 4Runner, only needed a spotter in a couple of places to get around some high points. Got a little tippy and off camber coming down one of the switchbacks near the top but it was safe.
July 9, 2020amazing trip and not nearly as busy as Yankee Boy!
June 19, 2020Governor basin wasn’t difficult. Typical off road trail, rocky as expected but no majorly technical spots. You can go about 95% of the way until snow covers the trail. Headed back and did yankee basin. Reached a “recommended high clearance” sign. Decided to check it out another time when I’m not solo. Still worth it to drive to the sign. Stock Chevy Colorado Z71. Was told my truck would make it but didn’t feel like putting in that much mental effort of technical off roading.
August 20, 2019After driving several trails in this area, this one had the best wildflowers. Nice views, too.
August 3, 2019April 29, 2019Very fun trail.
July 25, 2018August 4, 2016
First to ReviewPretty route, with lots of flowers, but is fairly hard.
January 1, 2021October 15, 2020September 15, 2020September 1, 2020August 25, 2020August 13, 2020July 23, 2020July 8, 2020July 22, 2019August 8, 2018July 30, 2018August 10, 2017July 10, 2017
