Rimrocker Trail — Montrose to Moab via the Uncompahgre Plateau and Gateway
Colorado to Moab the hard, beautiful way.
The Rimrocker is the kind of route that earns its name the hard way — high sandstone rims, blind canyon edges, and a long empty stretch between Montrose and Moab that’ll remind you how far from pavement you really are. The trail climbs out of the Uncompahgre Valley via Divide Road, runs the spine of the plateau through aspen and pinyon, drops into Gateway through red canyon walls, crosses the Dolores River, and delivers you into Moab from the west via Castleton Road. Key waypoints include the Divide Road summit at roughly 9,600 feet, the Dolores River crossing at Gateway, and the exposed mesa bench above Fisher Valley. Most of the route is well-marked with Rimrocker Trail signage, but the Unaweep Canyon section demands attention on the map.
This is a multi-day overland route, not a day run — plan 2 to 4 days depending on your camp stops. A capable high-clearance 4WD with recovery gear handles most conditions, but the Gateway descent and some plateau mud after rain will punish street-tire rigs hard. Fuel up in Montrose and Moab — there’s nothing in between. Water sources are scarce; carry 5-plus gallons. Best season is May through October, avoiding spring mud season on the plateau. Dispersed camping is wide open on BLM and Forest Service land along the route. This one rewards patience and penalizes the unprepared.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 150 mi / 241.4 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9600 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Montrose, CO |
| Land manager | BLM Uncompahgre Field Office / USDA Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | rimrockertrail.org |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run the Rimrocker without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tires can complete the trail under normal conditions. Lifted rigs with skid plates handle the rocky sections more comfortably, especially on the western canyon descent toward Gateway.
When does the Rimrocker typically open in spring and close in fall?
The trail is generally accessible May through October. The Uncompahgre Plateau section holds snow late into spring and can turn to deep mud after rain — May conditions vary year to year, so check with the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office before heading out early in the season.
Do you need a permit to drive the Rimrocker Trail?
No permit is required to drive the route. It crosses BLM and USDA Forest Service land, both of which allow free dispersed camping — follow Leave No Trace and standard BLM fire restrictions, which change seasonally.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The descent off the Uncompahgre Plateau toward Gateway is the most demanding stretch — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and exposed canyon rim with limited room to recover if something goes wrong. It's not extreme, but it's not the place to discover your rig has brake issues.
How far apart are fuel stops along the 150-mile route?
Fuel up in Montrose before you leave and plan to carry extra — there are no gas stations on the route itself. Gateway has very limited services and fuel availability there is unreliable. Moab is your next guaranteed fuel stop at the end.
Trail track
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