Back in April, we published an update about Colorado’s unusually dry winter and the surprisingly early start to the 2026 overland season. While we were excited to see so many trails opening early, we also noted that the lack of snowpack raised concerns about what the summer might bring if drought conditions didn’t improve.
Unfortunately, those concerns became reality.
As summer progressed, several large wildfires broke out across Colorado, affecting portions of our National Forests, backcountry roads, campgrounds, and recreation areas. At the same time, the summer monsoon has finally arrived, bringing the rain we’ve desperately needed—but also flash flooding, debris flows, and washed-out roads in areas recently scarred by fire.
At first glance, it might seem like Colorado has gone from one disaster to the next.
The reality is a little more complicated.
And if you’re planning an overland adventure this summer, it’s also more encouraging than you might think.
Missed our spring update?
Back in April, we published What’s Open Right Now? Colorado Overland Trails – Spring 2026 Update, where we talked about Colorado’s unusually dry winter, the early start to the overland season, and our concerns about what a below-average snowpack might mean later in the summer. In many ways, this article is the next chapter in that story.
Colorado Is a Place of Extremes
One of the reasons we love exploring Colorado is that no two seasons are ever alike.
Some years bring record snowpacks that keep the high country buried well into July.
Other years, like this one, allow us to reach alpine destinations weeks earlier than expected.
Sometimes wildfire dominates the headlines.
Other years it’s late snowstorms, washed-out roads, or an active monsoon season.
Colorado is constantly changing.
This summer has simply reminded us of that in dramatic fashion.
In just a few short months we’ve watched one event lead naturally to the next:
- A dry winter became an early spring.
- Record low snowpack became drought.
- Drought fueled significant wildfires.
- The long-awaited rain finally arrived—but over burned landscapes where the ground could no longer absorb it—leading to flash flooding, debris flows, and damaged roads.
It’s a chain reaction that reminds us just how interconnected Colorado’s environment really is.
Why Burn Scars Flood So Easily
One question we’ve heard several times this summer is:
“Why is flooding suddenly such a big problem after the fires?”
Healthy forests act like giant sponges. Trees, grasses, shrubs, and deep root systems slow rainfall and allow water to soak into the soil.
After a wildfire, much of that protection disappears.
In many cases, the intense heat also creates a water-repellent layer just beneath the surface of the soil. Instead of soaking into the ground, heavy rain races downhill, carrying ash, rocks, fallen trees, and loose soil with it.
The result can be flash flooding and debris flows from storms that otherwise wouldn’t seem particularly severe.
It’s one of the reasons burned areas often remain hazardous long after the flames have been extinguished.
Does This Mean You Should Cancel Your Trip?
For most travelers…
Probably not.
One of the biggest misconceptions we see every summer is the belief that if there’s a wildfire somewhere in Colorado, the entire state must be closed.
Colorado simply doesn’t work that way.
A fire affecting one mountain range often has little impact on another region several hours away. Smoke conditions can change dramatically overnight depending on wind direction. Likewise, a washed-out road in one drainage doesn’t mean another equally beautiful destination isn’t waiting just over the next ridge.
Rather than asking:
“Is Colorado open?”
We think a better question is:
“Where is Colorado at its best this week?”
That’s where flexibility becomes one of the greatest advantages of overlanding.
The Freedom to Adapt
Unlike a traditional vacation built around hotel reservations and fixed destinations, overlanding gives you options.
If smoke settles into one valley…
Head for another.
If a favorite trail is temporarily closed…
Explore one you’ve never driven before.
If afternoon storms make one route less appealing…
Adjust your plans and discover somewhere new.
Some of our favorite places in Colorado weren’t destinations we carefully planned months in advance.
They were places we found because circumstances encouraged us to take a different road.
Sometimes Mother Nature rewrites the itinerary.
That doesn’t necessarily make the adventure worse.
Quite often, it makes it even better.
How We Help Our Guests
One of the things we enjoy most about this business is helping guests experience the very best Colorado has to offer—not simply handing over the keys to a vehicle.
Before nearly every rental, we’re monitoring conditions across the state, including:
- Active wildfire incidents
- National Forest and BLM closures
- Mountain weather forecasts
- Smoke conditions
- Flash flood potential
- Fire restrictions
- Road and trail conditions
If changing conditions affect your original plans, we’re always happy to suggest alternatives.
Sometimes that means recommending a different mountain pass.
Sometimes it’s pointing you toward another region of the state.
Sometimes it’s simply helping you avoid a washed-out road or a smoky valley so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation.
Colorado is a big place.
More often than not, there’s another incredible adventure waiting just around the corner.
Our Colorado Trip Planning Toolbox
Conditions in Colorado can change by the day—and sometimes by the hour. Before guests head into the mountains, these are some of the same resources we use to plan around fires, flooding, smoke, closures, and changing road conditions.
onX Offroad
Our favorite all-around planning app for overland travel.
- Trail navigation
- Offline maps
- Public land boundaries
- Dispersed camping information
- Wildfire perimeters
- Smoke forecasts
- Weather information
COTREX (Colorado Trail Explorer)
Colorado’s official trail map and a valuable source for current recreation information.
- Trail closures and alerts
- Recreation information
- Hiking and OHV trails
- Public land information
- Offline mapping
COtrip
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s live road-condition resource.
- Highway closures
- Flooding and road washouts
- Mudslides and rockslides
- Mountain pass conditions
- Construction and traffic cameras
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
A reliable starting point for current wildfire information across Colorado and the western United States.
- Active fire locations
- Fire perimeters
- Incident updates
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map
A destination may be open while still experiencing poor air quality. This map helps travelers check smoke conditions before committing to a route or campsite.
- Current air quality
- Wildfire smoke conditions
- Hourly observations
Important: No single app or map tells the entire story. Before entering the backcountry, confirm conditions using official closure notices, local land-management agencies, county road departments, and current weather forecasts.
The Mountains Don’t Care About Our Plans
One of the first lessons Colorado teaches us is humility.
The mountains don’t care about our vacation schedules.
They don’t know we planned to drive Engineer Pass on Tuesday or camp beside an alpine lake on Thursday.
Snow falls when it falls.
Fires burn when conditions allow.
Rivers rise after heavy rain.
Roads wash out.
Trails close.
Eventually, they reopen.
As overlanders, we don’t get to control those things.
What we do get to control is how we respond.
We can stay informed.
We can remain flexible.
We can choose another trail, another campsite, or another mountain range.
And more often than not, those unexpected changes lead us to places we never would have discovered otherwise.
That’s part of the adventure.
Colorado is still an extraordinary place to explore.
This summer simply asks us to explore it a little differently.
Planning a Colorado Overland Adventure?
Conditions in Colorado can change quickly—from wildfire closures and flash flooding to afternoon thunderstorms and road washouts. We keep a close eye on current conditions and are always happy to help our guests choose the best routes for their trip.
Have questions about where to go? Reach out before your adventure and we’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of whatever Mother Nature has in store.
