Riding Rainbow Hill on your ATV has become quite a bit more challenging lately. This 13.5 mile ATV trail runs from Big Cottonwood Creek to Stout Creek. The scenery on this ATV trail is as beautiful as ever with sections of tall pines and gorgeous blue skies, but the trail is a different story.
If you are the type of ATV rider who thrives on a challenge, the type of ATV rider who never gives up, the type of ATV rider who has buns of steel, Rainbow Hill ATV trail may just be the spot where Mohammed meets the mountain for you.
This ATV trail has become increasingly rocky as time has gone by. Some of the going is exceptionally rough. However, Some intrepid ATVers have found a portion which still has some of the best ATV riding in Colorado. Our ATV tipsters say if you start at the Hayden Creek Campground and ride straight up the Rainbow ATV trail you and your ATV can still get a great ride. But be prepared for the trip back down because the pitch of the trail from that angle is enough to make your hair stand on end. Use some common sense, go slow and keep your eyes peeled for any stray rocks or pits. Tipping your ATV is a bad way to end a good ride.
There are two nearby places for ATV enthusiasts (or maniacs if the last paragraph has taught us anything)to camp while they are hanging out at Rainbow Trail with their ATV buds. Coaldale and Hayden Creek Campgrounds are a popular place to stay. Just remember the standards put forth in Treadlightly. Make sure that anything you pack in gets packed back out with you. Don't be afraid to pick up any extra trash you find even if it isn't your own.
And for heaven's sake, do your share and pick up a couple of those rocks and throw them to the side of the ATV trail would ya?
