When the winter snow settles over northwest Colorado, Moffat County transforms into an expansive, untamed wonderland for snowmobiling. Boasting some of the deepest powder, most dramatic elevation changes, and fewest crowds in the state, this region offers a raw, backcountry escape that sets it apart from Colorado’s highly commercialized resort tracks.

The Epicenter: Routt National Forest & The Elkhead Mountains

Moffat County’s premier snowmobiling takes place just north of Craig in the Bears Ears District of the Routt National Forest.

• The Terrain: Sledders can explore wide-open meadows, gently rolling hills, and tight, technical glades of spruce, fir, and aspen. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the trails climb steep mountainsides to sweeping alpine ridgelines.

• The Snow & Elevation: Trail elevations range from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet, collecting anywhere from 4 to 10 feet of pristine snow between late November and April.

• Scenic Vistas: Reaching the high country rewards riders with incredible, panoramic overlooks of the entire Yampa Valley.

Northwest Colorado Snowmobile Club (NOWECOS)

The undisputed heart and soul of the local sledding scene is the Northwest Colorado Snowmobile Club (NOWECOS) based in Craig, Colorado. This dedicated group of volunteers maintains, grooms, and maps the extensive trail system to ensure top-tier riding conditions.

• The Trail System: Thanks to the club’s efforts and their Prinoth Bison Groomer, they keep roughly 105 to 114 miles of trails perfectly groomed through Black Mountain, Freeman Reservoir, and the California Park areas.

• Award-Winning Heritage: The club takes immense pride in its operational excellence—several of its long-standing members have historically been recognized as the Colorado and International Snowmobile Groomers of the Year.

• Trail Access: Three primary trailheads sit conveniently right off Colorado Highway 13 north of Craig, making it easy to unload your rigs:

  • County Road 27 (Black Mountain Trailhead): 12 miles north of Craig.

  • County Road 11 (Freeman Reservoir Trailhead): 13 miles north of Craig.

  • County Road 38 (Wilderness Ranch Trailhead): 23 miles north of Craig.

    (Bonus: Hardcopy maps provided by the club are available directly at the trailhead parking lots, and all feature restroom facilities.)

Rentals & Tours: Powering Your Adventure

Because Moffat County prides itself on being a rugged, DIY backcountry destination, there are no commercial rental storefronts physically located within the county lines. Sledders typically haul in their own gear or utilize regional outfitters in neighboring Routt County (Steamboat Springs area) that service the surrounding national forest lands.

If you need to rent equipment or secure a guide to bring into Moffat County’s vast trail systems, these top regional providers are the closest go-to resources:

• Colorado Sled Rentals / Rocky Mountain Sled Rentals: Operating out of nearby Steamboat Springs and Steamboat Lake (just across the county line), they offer high-performance backcountry sled rentals and unguided packages. They specialize in setting riders up with late-model mountain machines perfect for conquering deep powder.

• Steamboat Springs Snowmobile Tours: Ideal for beginners or those unfamiliar with northwest Colorado’s terrain, they offer fully guided backcountry adventures. They can provide private guides to safely navigate the deep wilderness patches of the region.

Backcountry Tip: Before you pull the cord and throttle up, make sure your sled is registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, download the georeferenced trail maps via Avenza from the NOWECOS website, and always carry avalanche safety gear when venturing off-trail into the steep bowls.