Rampart Range Road

Rampart Range Road begins along the eastern entrance to the Pike National Forest. It was built during the Great Depression of the 1930's by the Civil Conservation Corps. The whole road stretches some 60 miles and is often very exposed and unsecured through innumerable twists and turns. This hike maps out the beginning of the road between the entrance at Garden of the Gods to the Rampart Reservoir Trail parking lot. It affords some of the most spectacular views over Colorado Springs and Waldo Canyon. Rampart Range Road begins at the south end of Garden of the Gods Park. Free parking is available near Steamboat Rock, and the trail begins just north of the parking lots. A gate sits at the beginning of the road, which is open to hikers and bikers year round, weather permitting, but is closed to motorized traffic during the annual closure from December 1 to April 1. The first two miles offer views of Garden of the Gods with two gated turn-offs that lead to private property, but after this there are no side roads for the next 10 miles. At approximately mile 13, stay to the left on Rampart Range Road. To the right is a road to Eagle Lake Camp. At mile 15, again stay to the left on Rampart Range Road. Road 303 leads to Nichols and Northfield Reservoirs. At mile 17, Rampart Range Road continues to the left, with Road 306 leading to the eastern edge of Rampart Reservoir. The trail continues to meet at the parking lot and trailhead for Rampart Reservoir Trail. From here, the trail stretches from the Rampart Reservoir Trail parking lot at the Rainbow Gulch Trailhead northward to State Hwy 67. It affords some of the most spectacular views over Colorado Springs and Castle Rock, with opportunities to look west toward Thunder Butte and Pike National Forest.