Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Fort Carson, Colorado
Old Stage Rd
Easy trail with beautiful views. 4WD is recommended especially after snowfall. This trail leads to Gold Camp Road. Take switchbacks with caution, as they can become narrow and on-coming traffic can be difficult to see.… Learn more about Old Stage Rd
Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp
Lower Gold Camp Road
Dirt roads with some rocks scattered throughout. Good road that is easily accessible from Colorado Springs that virtually any car can handle. Multiple tunnels going through the mountains. Majority is two lane with multiple spots… Learn more about Lower Gold Camp Road
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Gold Camp Rd to Cripple Creek
Gold Camp originally connected the Cheyenne Mountain area to Cripple Creek, but in 1988, Tunnel #3 collapsed and a large section of Gold Camp was closed to vehicles, but left open to hikers and bikers.… Learn more about Gold Camp Rd to Cripple Creek
Total Miles
19.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Mount Baldy
As you start the trail, you'll pass through Frosty Park where you'll find some great camping spots. The trail ends just below Mt. Baldy and south of Almagre Mountain. You'll have to hike the rest… Learn more about Mount Baldy
Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Mt. Herman & Rampart Range Roads
This section of Rampart Range Road is nicely maintained and provides amazing scenery as you drop into the Garden of the Gods Park. Unlicensed vehicles aren't allowed on the main roads. There are a few… Learn more about Mt. Herman & Rampart Range Roads
Total Miles
33.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Shelf Road, Phantom Canyon
This is a popular, heavily used network of trails that starts just south of Cripple Creek and takes you on a ride through history. See old mines and historic towns. A number of 4X4 roads… Learn more about Shelf Road, Phantom Canyon
Total Miles
57.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Rampart Range - FR 300
This route is from between FR 346 (Hotel Gulch) and FR 320 (Mt Herman Road). It can be entered from multiple connecting trails on the western side. Either from pavement via Woodland Park, from Garden… Learn more about Rampart Range - FR 300
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Winding Stairs-Ice Cave Loop
This loop consists of Forest Service roads 323 and 324 which meet on the east side of the loop; the loop is continuous, and the numbers can be confusing. The trail surface is decomposed granite… Learn more about Winding Stairs-Ice Cave Loop
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hotel Gulch - FR 346
A fairly easy trail and could be made difficult after a snowstorm. Hotel Gulch starts at the Manitou Experimental Forest steadily climbing to Rampart Range Road. If it is open the Manitou Experimental Forest is… Learn more about Hotel Gulch - FR 346
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Missouri Gulch - FR 347
Starting from County Road 79 (Spruce Dr), the trail meanders through the forest. There are many spur trails and interconnected trail systems that could make it easy to become disoriented, especially once you get into… Learn more about Missouri Gulch - FR 347
Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Signal Butte Trail
The Signal Butte trail is on the north end of the 717 area in Pike National Forest with easy access from any of the multi-use trails that connect to this loop. You can access this… Learn more about Signal Butte Trail
Total Miles
15.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Rampart Crossover
This is a fun drive for licensed and unlicensed vehicles. You can take it in either direction. You'll either start or finish at Rainbow Falls OHV Area. Camping is available, but restricted to designated sites.… Learn more about Rampart Crossover
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Phantom Creek, Signal Butte
A great way to check out views of Pikes Peak and Signal Butte. You'll pass through the Hayman Burn Area. It is interesting to observe the damage and recovery occurring there. If you want to… Learn more about Phantom Creek, Signal Butte
Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
West Rainbow Falls
The Rainbow falls riding area is on the north side of Hwy 67, about 17 miles southwest of Deckers, CO, or 17 miles north of Woodland Park, CO, with easy access to the parking lot… Learn more about West Rainbow Falls
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
Fern 2- Rampart Range
This is a scenic and fun 2-mile long trail on mostly crushed granite and dirt. Except for a short, steeper grade at the northern end of the trail, the trail has a gentle grade throughout… Learn more about Fern 2- Rampart Range
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Long Hollow 60 inch Trail (FS 650)
This summary is for the southern part of Long Hollow Trail that is about 4.5 miles of fun, twisting, turning trail through the forest on fairly smooth well-maintained crushed granite trails. The Forest service rates… Learn more about Long Hollow 60 inch Trail (FS 650)
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Countryside Tour
A very easy tour taking you through the non-alpine area southeast of Buena Vista. This is a good chance to see what the backcountry looks like east of the Collegiate Range. You will pass through… Learn more about Countryside Tour
Total Miles
111.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
Trout Creek (FS 649)
Trout Creek is easy dirt and crushed granite. The trail is easy, except for the large number of berms and waves across the trail. For the most part, turns are shallow and level and there… Learn more about Trout Creek (FS 649)
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Jackson Creek South/ Watson Park
Jackson Creek South, and to some extent Watson Park are smooth, very easy wide roads that are worth exploring for the scenery and access to dispersed camping, but they also serve as access points for… Learn more about Jackson Creek South/ Watson Park
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Forest Road 507
Forest Road 507 rests in the Pike National Forest just outside of Sedalia, CO, and serves as a connector for the northern section of the Rampart Range Recreation Area. This trail runs in a 2-way… Learn more about Forest Road 507
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su
Eleven Mile Canyon Cutoff
This trail is pretty easy. It is rocky in few places, a lot of wash out ruts and erosion control humps. The trail is suitable for SUV's. If it is wet and muddy this would… Learn more about Eleven Mile Canyon Cutoff
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Wigwam Creek Road
Wigwam Creek Road is a dirt road located on the southwest side of CO Road 126 in the Pike National Forest. It is easily accessible by passenger vehicles in dry conditions. The road is mostly… Learn more about Wigwam Creek Road
Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Stony Pass Road
Stony Pass Road begins off of Wigwam Creek Road, near Cheesman Reservoir in the Pike National Forest. The road heads north towards Wellington Lake. This is a dirt road that can be accessed by most… Learn more about Stony Pass Road
Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
39 Mile Mountain Part 2
Segment 2 trail is pretty easy. It is rocky in places, with good scenery. I drove most of trail in 2 wheel drive, however high clearance was needed as well as 4 wheel drive a… Learn more about 39 Mile Mountain Part 2
Total Miles
8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Wigwam Trail
This shorter trail begins a few miles in on the Stony Pass Road Trail, near Cheesman Reservoir in the Pike National Forest. The road heads west toward the Wigwam Creek Trailhead, providing access to the… Learn more about Wigwam Trail
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
39 Mile Mountain Road
Trail pretty easy, rocky in places, good scenery. Drove most of the trail in 2 wheel drive, however high clearance was needed as well as 4 wheel drive in few places. The road changes names… Learn more about 39 Mile Mountain Road
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
31 Mile Creek
An easy ride from Countryside Tour GP to Highway 9 in the lower country east of Buena Vista. The central part of the trail follows 31 Mile Creek through part of the Pike National Forest,… Learn more about 31 Mile Creek
Total Miles
16
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Packer Gulch
Packer Gulch is a out and back trail which begins just West of Tarryall Reservoir. The trail starts through open meadows with some dispersed camping areas that are suitable for a vehicle pulling a camper… Learn more about Packer Gulch
Total Miles
7.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Schoolmarm Mountain
Great trail for day rides, exploring many side routes, and camping in the Tarryall Reservoir trail network. One possibly difficult section near the junction of Schoolmarm Mountain, Skinny, and Packer Gulch requiring 4wd and high… Learn more about Schoolmarm Mountain
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Lost Park Road
Lost Park Road begins on the east side off of HWY 285. This is a dirt road in good condition and is accessible by 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. Stretches of the road are washboard… Learn more about Lost Park Road