Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Rico, Colorado
Rico sits at around 8,800 feet in the Dolores River canyon, tucked between the San Juan Mountains and the southern end of the Colorado Trail. It's a small town with a serious trail network around it.
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View on mapHiking · 13 spots
Rico sits at around 8,800 feet in the Dolores River canyon, tucked between the San Juan Mountains and the southern end of the Colorado Trail. It's a small town with a serious trail network around it. The 13 hikes accessible from here range from road-width dirt tracks like East Fork Road and Barlow Road to the genuinely demanding Cross Mountain Trail, which shows up on the hard end of the difficulty scale for good reason. The Colorado Trail (Segment 25) passes through the area, connecting Rico to the broader 500-mile route and giving through-hikers a logical stopping point. Trails like Sheep Mountain and Tin Can Basin Spur Road push into higher alpine terrain where afternoon thunderstorms are a real concern from July through August. The Highline-Colorado Trail corridor and Blackhawk County Trail add options for longer linking routes. Most trailheads are accessible by passenger vehicle, though some roads in this network are better suited to high-clearance. If you're coming from lower elevation, give yourself a day to adjust before tackling anything on the harder end of the list.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to hike around Rico?
Late June through early October is the reliable window. Snow can linger on higher routes like Sheep Mountain and the Colorado Trail (Segment 25) well into June, and it can return by late September. July and August offer the most stable trail conditions but bring daily afternoon thunderstorms, so plan to be off exposed ridgelines by noon or 1 p.m.
How hard are the trails near Rico? Are they suitable for beginners?
The range is wide. Flatter, road-width routes like East Fork Road, Barlow Road, and Tin Can Basin Spur Road are manageable for most fitness levels. Cross Mountain Trail is listed as hard and involves significant elevation gain and rougher terrain. If you're new to hiking at altitude, start with the easier road-based routes and work up from there.
What gear should I bring for a day hike out of Rico?
At minimum: layers (temperatures drop fast above treeline), rain gear for afternoon storms, at least two liters of water per person, sun protection, and a map or downloaded offline route since cell coverage in the canyon is unreliable. Trekking poles are worth it on the harder trails like Cross Mountain. Sturdy trail shoes are fine for most routes; the rougher terrain warrants boots with ankle support.
Do I need a permit to hike these trails?
No permit is required for day hiking on the trails listed here, including Colorado Trail Segment 25. If you're planning an overnight trip along the Colorado Trail, follow Leave No Trace camping guidelines and check current fire restrictions with the San Juan National Forest before you go, as restrictions change seasonally.
Can I access these trailheads without a 4WD vehicle?
Most trailheads in this network are reachable by standard passenger car, including access points for East Fork Trail, the Colorado Trail, and the Highline-Colorado Trail corridor. Some of the road-based routes like Tin Can Basin Spur Road and East Fork A Road may have rougher sections where high clearance is helpful, especially early in the season when the road surface is soft.
