Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route is a 18.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ouray, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
The first half of the trail is fairly easy. After that it gets a little more dificult, but a car with good clearance with a good driver will be able to make it. There are a few steep dips and some high points so a car with a long wheelbase or bad approch and departure angles would have a hard time. Once you make it to the rest rooms at the bottom of the basin it gets to be a moderate 4X4 road. A stock SUV with decent clearance and 4-low mode can make it if you drive carefully and pick the right lines. One of the most popular destinations in the Ouray area due to its stunning natural beauty, rich history and colorful wildflowers. At the height of spring color, photographers flock to the area. Popular landmarks include the Drinking Cup, Twin Falls, Atlas Mill, Camp Bird Mine and the rock overhang. Because the area is used so heavily, camping is restricted to designated areas and a fee is charged to camp. High Point 12,400 ft., Best time to go: Mid July-Sept. Located in Uncompahgre National Forest. For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300. The lower portion of the trail is easy. Beyond the toilet, the trail gets rocky, narrow and steep, but is suitable for aggressive, high-clearance, stock SUVs. A gate for the upper portion of the trail is closed until the snow melts, usually in late June or early July.
For current conditions call Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300.
Yankee Boy Basin is famous for its incredible wildflower displays. Photographers flock to the area and traffic can be very heavy in June and July. Do NOT pick the wildflowers under any circumstances. It is a federal crime to remove mining debris and historic artifacts. For more challenging trails, look for the FunTreks eGuides for Imogene Pass and Governor Basin. Trail conditions can change without notice.
Leaving south out of Ouray take a right turn toward box canyon falls, stay on the road to the left instead of turning right again to go to box canyon. This it the beginning of Yankee boy basin road.
October 15, 2020September 25, 2020September 14, 2020Rented a Razr and went to top of Yankee Boy Basin to Mt. Sneffels trailhead. We hiked a short distance as we were at nearly 13,000 feet and had not fully acclimated to the altitude. Spectacular views on a gorgeous day.
September 12, 2020September 12, 2020September 9, 2020August 31, 2020Fun area. Not much traffic. Was raining a little with low clouds and a bit of mud. Beautiful area and not much traffic.
August 28, 2020beautiful trail, rough but not too bad. we stopped at the twin falls which is an amazing short hike. the scenery is just amazing. perfect place for a picnic!
August 19, 2020Gorgeous views, and not too challenging. Obstacles get progressively harder, so you can decide as you go if you need to turn back. Did the trail in a 2011 Grand Cherokee and it did great. Just don’t make the mistake I did and combine this with Imogene pass! That one was much more advanced, much longer, and rattled my soul right out of my body.
August 16, 2020Very fun off road trail for a beginner. This was my first test off-roading in my 2000 TJ Wrangler. I have a 3 inch lift with 33” tires, and we made this trail comfortably. It is definitely a busy trail (We went on a Saturday), and it can be challenging to pass others. Being a beginner, I wanted to make myself familiar with basic etiquette. Trail etiquette suggests the vehicle going uphill has the right of way, but common sense should prevail in specific situations. It was also helpful to communicate with others, and let people going the opposite direction in a tight spot know how many people are still coming close behind you. Give others plenty of room Beautiful stops on the way up, including a breathtaking waterfall with amazing views all around. Make sure you have a plan for when you get to the top on how to share parking with others and to back up or turn around for your return trip. It is a small parking area at the end of the OHV and the start of the hiking trail. If you see that there is high traffic upon your last crest to the top, consider taking the fork off to the left to take the small loop near the small glacier lake.
July 31, 2020Really enjoy this easy to do trail. 3rd time taking it and as before it does not disappoint. Wildflowers, waterfalls and stunning views. The first 3/4th of the trail you could do in just about any car really,,,, it only turns into a true "offroad trail" the last 1/4. Because of this it tends to have more people than some of the other trails in the area. So that's why I only give it 4 stars instead of 5. VIDEO OF YANKEE BOY BASIN TRAIL: I captured the day on video if you want to see what it's like. From 4x4 acton to stunning views. Check it out. https://youtu.be/K445WpLaRKE
July 31, 2020Great trail, good condition. Made it easily with stock 4runner off-road model. Beautiful flowers, Outstanding views of the basin.
July 27, 2020Awesome trail! We took a Jeep and FJ (both modified) and had the best time! Sundown was breathtaking!
July 25, 2020It’s a beautiful drive up dirt roads for the beginners and gets a little more technical as you climb. The wildflowers are abundant and amazingly full this time of year. Please enjoy the natural rabbit trails through the fields for great photos. It was overcast and drizzling. Rain came in around 5pm. Once you get to the slabs of rock shards on the road, driving will become more technical and steep. Near the top Of the trail. We drove our Jeep Wrangler Sahara without locking differential and made it up just fine.
July 21, 2020got lucky to do the trail Monday evening and there wasn't much traffic and the trail was easy.
July 9, 2020Great trip but too much traffic, especially for the middle of the week.
June 24, 2020June 20, 2020Awesome and easy trail. Lots of UTV’s but not necessary. You get to the gate, thats out, and it gets a little more difficult. I have a dbl cab short bed tacoma with 3” and made it to the top. I think you can do 95% of this trail in a stock truck. Side note: dropped my wife at wrights lake to hike and she hit snow on the foot trail preventing her from getting there. With hiking boots should be fine as she was in sandals. Awesome trail, lots of foot and car traffic but well worth it.
June 19, 2020Stock Jeep Wrangler made it. 4 hours, 18 miles
June 12, 2020We couldn’t make it all the way in with our truck but as far as we got it was stunning. Wish we could have made it in and they could grade the road a bit better.
June 6, 2020Great views, and easy to do with any SUV. You won’t need a Jeep or a Can Am for this. I did it with a Benz GLC 300, never had any issue. Very little snow on Memorial Day.
May 23, 2020beautiful
October 12, 2019Between the two trail heads to Wright’s Lake trail rough and ledges from wash outs made two of us turn around. Both driving stock off road equipped vehicles. Still a beautiful drive. Popped over to Governors Basin which was notably easier.
September 26, 2019Drove this road to hike Mount Sneffels. One lane road a lot of the way. Risky enough to be fun and exciting but doable.
September 14, 2019Great trip today, lots of sun a few broken clouds made for great pictures. Drove up in Jeep Wrangler w/35s and 2” lift no issues with clearance. Got to top and had picnic with at least 10 other Jeeps.
