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.
dog friendly
kid friendly
fishing
hiking
horseback riding
mountain biking
rock climbing
scenic driving
snowshoeing
walking
ohv / off road driving
running
cave
forest
lake
river
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
rocky
snow
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.
Between 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.
Drove this road to hike Mount Sneffels. One lane road a lot of the way. Risky enough to be fun and exciting but doable.
Great 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.
Fantastic! Did some moderate 4 wheeling and hiking. Tremendous views up here, could stay I lifetime!
Jeeped up for a elopement/wedding on 8/26, wildflowers we’re still hanging on which made for some amazing photos.
Jeeped about half way. My favorite place on earth.
Max Wilson recorded Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route
Amazing views! Lots of 4x4 traffic.
Ken Sandberg recorded Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route
We made it pretty far up Yankee Boy basin in a stock Jeep Rubicon unlimited. Very nice wildflowers and you don’t need to go the the very top to see them. Some areas of washout so high clearance is recommended.
Ken Sandberg recorded Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route
Didn’t make it past a washout area due to rain. Will try again the next day. Took a little detour towards governors basin but river too deep to cross.
Bryan Graff recorded Yankee Boy Basin OHV Route
Pretty drive, but the road was washed out and we had to turn around.
Hindered by snow But still amazing
Went up with SOA Jeeps. Couldn’t go past the toilet since still so much snow. Beautiful trail, lots of Jeeps and ATVs.
Great OHV trail. Lots of variation. Went to a little past toilet at top. Some very steep areas along trail that are a bit scary, but it was our first time in the Razors. Many vehicles out on the day we went but still a good trip. Saw lots of joggers, some rock climbers, and a few snowboarders! We then took lower Imogene to Camp Bird road. A couple of drop offs but we managed okay.
We went up on 6/30/19. Great views , lots of snow but a clear path up to the toilet and just a little beyond that up to the gate which was closed. Stock 4 runner made it no problem, lots of water to drive thru and it was raining , purchasing full skid plates just to be safe from now on!! Such an awesome day!! Hopefully coming back in August !!!
We just ran this trail today, 6/27/19. Steep, easy trail 3/4 of the way up to the toilet. After that, the trail was muddy and narrow with a LOT of snow. The trail was, none the less, heavily trafficked and passing required some patience.Trail was closed past the toilet, due to the snow. The toilet was locked by the way.
We attempted this pass. It’s closed near twin falls. There’s still a crazy amount of snow up there. It’s still worth driving up to see the snow and the avalanche sites. There are a few areas that are pretty washed out from all the snow melt.
Beautiful trail. Gets a little rocky in upper portion, but not a bad drive.
hiked this today, 12.28.18. carried snowshoes but didnt need them. wore my spikes however. uphill climb and good workout. hiked 3.5 in and then back. beautiful scenery. stunning.
Great trip with my FJ. A couple of non4wheel drive vehicles were attempting it and were having a difficult time. Great views
This was our first trail on our visit to Ouray. The trail starts off pretty easy and gets rockier the father you go up. We got to the top portion where the sign states short wheel base, high clearance only past this point. We are driving a lifted Tacoma and a lifted 4 Runner, so we figured we would attempt it. We made it up a couple of the switch backs, but then decided to not push any further as it was raining and sleeting and traction was not great on the rocks. We turned around and headed back down. It was a beautiful trip, even if we didn't make it all the way to the top.
