• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
Rollins Pass Crash Car

Camping by Moffat Tunnel in Rollinsville

May 31, 2019 By //  by Matt Thomas

28
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Tucked away in the Roosevelt National Forest, the Moffat Tunnel used to offer trips through the Continental Divide. Now it’s widely popular for outdoor recreation, mainly camping, hiking, biking and off-highway-vehicles.

The historic Moffat Tunnel is located about eight miles west off Highway 119 across from downtown Rollinsville. The town consists of a market, bar and a liquor store. The railroad tunnel is still used by Amtrak. So consider taking a train ride thru the Moffat Tunnel from Denver Union Station to Granby some time.

Free Dispersed Camping near Nederland

Moffat Road Rollinsville Colorado
The Moffat Road.

Once you reach the tunnel it dead ends, or you can continue on 4×4 Rollins Pass, which winds for 12.4 miles up to the Divide. It used to cross through the Needle’s Eye Tunnel, but that’s been closed. Sedans and wagons would be okay making if the conditions are dry, although it’s a bit bumpy at places.

Dirt bikes and ATVs are two way to summit Rollins Pass East. Both Yankee Doodle Lake and Jenny Lake are near the top, and are fun to fish and hike around. There’s also hiking trails from the tunnel.

Dispersed camping is permitted around the tunnel and on Rollins Pass in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. The free, primitive sites start on County Road 16 when you start nearing the tunnel. Please use existing sites with fire ring and leave no trace. There are vault bathrooms by the tunnel.

South Boulder Creek.
Tolland, Colorado.
Railroad crossing.
Old shacks at Moffat Tunnel.
Parking area with restrooms.
Train tracks leading through Moffat Tunnel.
Moffat Tunnel opened in February 1928.
Dilapidated shack.
Campsite near the tunnel.
Trailer camping.
Rollins Pass leads to two lakes and more campsites.
ATV heading this way.
Dirt bikes on the pass.
Train heading east.
Wildflowers and the Continental Divide.
Found this gem of a campsite.
Tent camping on Rollins Pass.
Campsite happened to be this crashed car.
Damn!
Smashed!
Blends in quite nice.
That's a long way to fall.
This car is located about a quarter mile up the start of the pass.
Where's the back?
There it is!
Roosevelt National Forest.
Dispersed campsite on Rollins Pass...
...with a view of Moffat Tunnel.
Another free campsite.
Pull off from Rollins Pass for a campsite.
South Boulder Creek flowing east back to Rollinsville.

Related Posts

6 Popular Places to Visit in Colorado
Comfy Cabins to Rent near Boulder, Lyons and Nederland
Camping near Naturita, Nucla and Gateway, around the Utah Border
Camping in Nederland at West Magnolia
Matt Thomas

About Matt Thomas

Matt is an avid writer and explorer, who loves to showcase this wild, wondrous world. And his favorite place to be is right here in the Centennial State.

28
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «West Magnolia Camping Nederland Colorado Camping in Nederland at West Magnolia
Next Post: Colorado Springs’ Top 4 Coworking Spaces Coworking Space Colorado Springs»

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Popular Posts

  • Do Grizzly Bears Still Live in Colorado?
  • 6 Closest Hot Springs to Mile High City
  • Top 9 Affordable Ski Resorts in Colorado
  • 12 Best Hot Springs Resorts in Colorado
  • How D.I.A.’s Murals Feed Conspiracy Theorist
  • Quick Guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Denver

Recent Posts

  • Learn Colorado’s Official State Symbols
  • Do Grizzly Bears Still Live in Colorado?
  • The Tallest Buildings in Denver
  • 7 Former Ski Areas of Colorado
  • Wise Practices for Exploring the Winter Backcountry
  • 4 Winter Motorcycle Rides from Denver

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer