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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Learn more about Rankin Road

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

FS 929 is an easy out-and-back forest trail with smooth dirt terrain, light roots, and minor ruts throughout the route. The trail winds through dense pine and aspen trees with a few tight sections, but…
Learn more about FS 929

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

This route begins at a gated forest access point and quickly transitions from a wide, well-maintained dirt road into a narrower two-track that winds deeper into the pines. From the start, the trail gradually descends…
Learn more about Cedar Cut 3 Road - FS 359

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

This trail winds through a mix of open meadow and dense pine forest, offering a good balance between easy cruising and light technical sections. It starts as a wide, well-defined dirt road with plenty of…
Learn more about Cedar Cut 2 - FS 359

Saylor Park Rd is a fairly easy trail best suited for high-clearance vehicles due to occasional uneven terrain and small ruts along the route. The trail offers excellent dispersed camping throughout the area and finishes…
Learn more about Saylor Park Rd FS 325

Yucca Road - FS 359 starts near a small cluster of houses before quickly transitioning into a quiet pine forest, following a well-defined dirt road that drops roughly 600 feet in elevation over gentle terrain.…
Learn more about Yucca Road - FS 359

This trail starts as a wider, smooth dirt road cutting through open meadow before quickly transitioning into a tighter, more technical route as it winds into the trees. The terrain narrows up with a mix…
Learn more about Manchester Road

Phantom Canyon Road is a historic and scenic 30-mile unpaved route in southern Colorado, connecting Cañon City to Victor. Part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway, it follows the path of the Florence and Cripple…
Learn more about Phantom Canyon