If you're looking for a fun all out ATV ride, this is the place to be. The ATV road is for the more experienced ATVer as it is rated intermediate to difficult. If you have only been riding the easy trails up this point, maybe it is time to take a challenge of a more technical ATV ride, if you feel you're ready.
This is a multi use trail and you will fun into other traffic on this ATV trail ranging from ATVs to horseback riders to mountain bikers. This area is managed by the Rio Grande National Forest office and is open all year around. Rio Grande National Forest manages this ATV riding area and will want to inspect your ATV prior to riding for a spark arrestor, muffler and a proper braking system. You will be given a sticker that must be prominently displayed during your ride here.
This isn't the longest ATV trail you'll find but it certainly has a lot of personality in its difficulty level. This ATV trail is scenic and primitive and most surprisingly, despite its difficulty rating, this ATV trail gets a lot of traffic. The fact that it is primitive makes for a great ride on your ATV. The road is fairly level and with only 540 feet difference between its lowest and highest points. While its not an uneven ride for your ATV, you will find it is a rough one and can be very slow with much of the roadbed made up of embedded rocks. A round trip takes an average of 7 to 7 1/2 hours and that doesn't include any time that you might spend parking your ATV and exploring Wheeler Geologic Area itself. For maximum ride time, leave early, to allow yourself sufficient time for the trip, and time to explore, take pictures, etc.
Towards the end of the ATV trail you will find suitable areas for primitive campsites in case you plan to overnight it in this area. Just remember the golden rule of primitive camping, if you pack it in - pack it out!
