Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Manitou Springs, Colorado

The Mount Herman and Rampart Range Roads route offers a mix of terrain, starting with a rougher ascent on the Herman side before easing into smooth, easy travel once reaching the top. The trail is generally free of obstacles, but washboard sections may challenge drivers to maintain steady control. V...
Learn more about Mount Herman & Rampart Range Roads

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 where it narrows to one vehicle lanes. First 3.3 miles of the trail are...
Learn more about Lower Gold Camp Road

Easy-to-moderate, out-and-back dirt road located off the Mount Herman and Rampart Range Roads within the Pike National Forest northwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The trail consists of dirt, pea gravel, and rocky sections. There are some unique rock features and spectacular views of Pikes Peak. ...
Learn more about Northfield Road

### Trail Details - **Difficulty**: Moderate - **Time to Complete**: 1–1.5 hours (one way) - **Best Time to Visit**: Summer through Fall - **Recommended Vehicles**: High-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing - **Trail Start Location**: Junction of Northfield Road and Ormes Peak Road, near ...
Learn more about Ormes Peak Road

Frosty Park Road is a fun trail to use as an alternate exit after running Eagle Rock or Mount Baldy Trails, or on its own from Seven Lakes Road (FS 376). The trail winds through heavy forest and in and out of wide open meadows. There are signs of prior tracks that are now closed or illegal, so be su...
Learn more about Frosty Park Road

Seven Lakes Road branches off from Gold Camp Road and is typically very well-maintained. While more of a road than a trail most of the time, it leads to both Bull Park Rd and Frosty Park Road. From Gold Camp Road to the Colorado Springs Utilities' gate, you'll gain just over 1,300' in just over thre...
Learn more about Seven Lakes Road

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 of the way, but you'll get astounding, panoramic views from the top of of these peaks. When you're ready...
Learn more about Mount Baldy

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. The road that now connects to Cripple Creek picks back up around the Broadmoor in southeast Color...
Learn more about Gold Camp Rd to Cripple Creek

Easy trail with beautiful views. 4WD is recommended, especially after snowfall. This trail leads to Gold Camp Road. Take switchbacks cautiously, as they can become narrow, and on-coming traffic can be hard to see. The last mile or so is the most rutted, with some larger rocks to get over.
Learn more about Old Stage Rd

Hell Creek Road (FS 311) branches off from Schubarth Road and forms a portion of the Schubarth "Loop." On what is primarily an easy dirt road, you'll pass by and between giant boulders and rock formations. If running the Schubarth Loop in a clockwise direction, to run the more interesting portion of...
Learn more about Hell Creek Road

### Trail Details - **Difficulty**: Moderate to Difficult - **Time to Complete**: 1–2 hours (one way) - **Best Time to Visit**: Summer through Fall - **Recommended Vehicles**: High-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing;lockers recommended for tougher sections - **Trail Start Location**: Ju...
Learn more about Roll Over Road

Farish Road 309 is an easy-going forest service road that winds through dense pine forest and open mountain meadows on a well-maintained red dirt surface. This route is suitable for nearly any vehicle in dry conditions, making it a great scenic drive for beginners, families, or anyone looking for a ...
Learn more about Farish Rd 309

Farrish Memorial Road 312 is an easy forest service spur that winds through rolling pine forest and scattered aspens on a well-maintained red dirt surface. The route is beginner-friendly and suitable for most stock SUVs and crossovers during dry conditions, making it a great option for casual explor...
Learn more about Farrish Memorial Rd 312

This out-and-back trail descends from Gold Camp Road into a peaceful, quiet valley with a small creek running alongside most of the way. There are occasional off-camber rocky sections, but nothing too challenging for those with some off-road experience. Once you reach the valley floor, take in the v...
Learn more about Gould Creek Road

This fun little cutoff route requires nothing more than a 4WD car to explore. As a scenic cutoff connecting Farrish Memorial Road and Beaver Creek Road, this trail allows for you to bypass the west half of Beaver Creek Road. This makes for an easy trail when exploring the Mount Herman/Rampart Range ...
Learn more about Ensign Gulch Road FR 314

This great little trail offers much to explore. This trail branches off of Mt Herman Road and follows along the top of a ridge heading east. The majority of the trail is surrounded by a dense population of pine trees, however, this opens up in a couple of areas and reveals the beautiful surrounding ...
Learn more about Powerline East Road 318

This is a spur road for camping, views, and wandering. Bring a lunch and stop here on your way to explore more of the Rampart Range. There are several large campsites that can accommodate multiple vehicles. Head up the Main Mount Herman road toward the 300 Rampart Range. There are also a few spots t...
Learn more about Herman Spur 1 North Road - 320.A

Shelf Road is a heavily traveled network of trails beginning just south of Cripple Creek, offering a mix of steep, rugged terrain and historic scenery. The trail features old mines, ghost towns, and multiple 4x4 spur roads branching off near Sand Gulch and The Banks Campground, one of Colorado’s mos...
Learn more about Shelf Road

Upper Johnson Gulch Rd (FS300) is rated easy because most of the trail is made up of manageable dirt two-track with mild hill climbs, rolling humps, and only light rutting. A high-clearance 4x4 is still recommended because the trail gets narrow in spots, has a few uneven washouts, and includes tight...
Learn more about Upper Johnson Gulch Rd (FS300)

Rankin Road near Divide, Colorado, is a simple but engaging trail that offers a good mix of easy driving and light technical sections. The trail starts as a typical dirt road, but you’ll quickly encounter some larger whoops that require moderate speed control. As you continue, the road narrows to mo...
Learn more about Rankin Road

### Trail Details - **Difficulty**: Moderate - **Time to Complete**: 1–1.5 hours (one way) - **Best Time to Visit**: Summer through Fall - **Recommended Vehicles**: High-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing - **Trail Start Location**: Junction of Northfield Road and Ormes Peak Road, near ...
Learn more about Ormes Peak Road

Frosty Park Road is a fun trail to use as an alternate exit after running Eagle Rock or Mount Baldy Trails, or on its own from Seven Lakes Road (FS 376). The trail winds through heavy forest and in and out of wide open meadows. There are signs of prior tracks that are now closed or illegal, so be su...
Learn more about Frosty Park Road

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 of the way, but you'll get astounding, panoramic views from the top of of these peaks. When you're ready...
Learn more about Mount Baldy

Hell Creek Road (FS 311) branches off from Schubarth Road and forms a portion of the Schubarth "Loop." On what is primarily an easy dirt road, you'll pass by and between giant boulders and rock formations. If running the Schubarth Loop in a clockwise direction, to run the more interesting portion of...
Learn more about Hell Creek Road

### Trail Details - **Difficulty**: Moderate - **Time to Complete**: 1–1.5 hours (one way) - **Best Time to Visit**: Summer through Fall - **Recommended Vehicles**: High-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing - **Trail Start Location**: Junction of Northfield Road and Ormes Peak Road, near ...
Learn more about Ormes Peak Road

Frosty Park Road is a fun trail to use as an alternate exit after running Eagle Rock or Mount Baldy Trails, or on its own from Seven Lakes Road (FS 376). The trail winds through heavy forest and in and out of wide open meadows. There are signs of prior tracks that are now closed or illegal, so be su...
Learn more about Frosty Park Road

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 of the way, but you'll get astounding, panoramic views from the top of of these peaks. When you're ready...
Learn more about Mount Baldy

Hell Creek Road (FS 311) branches off from Schubarth Road and forms a portion of the Schubarth "Loop." On what is primarily an easy dirt road, you'll pass by and between giant boulders and rock formations. If running the Schubarth Loop in a clockwise direction, to run the more interesting portion of...
Learn more about Hell Creek Road