Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Rocky Ford, Colorado

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NE Passage via Cimarron Canyon

This is a very long dirt road route connecting Clayton Lake State Park NM and Trinidad, Colorado. There is a shortcut that will eliminate approximately 20 miles (if you look at the route closely, it's…
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Total Miles
113.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Trinchera Pass

Trinchera Pass is an easy gravel and dirt road that can be traversed in any 4x4 and most 2WD vehicles. It offers scenic views of the north side of the Johnson Mesa/Raton volcanic field and…
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Total Miles
42.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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.…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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Total Miles
33.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Cucharas Pass

This is a fun, scenic drive through San Isabel National Forest. The road west of the pass is well maintained, with plenty of room for two-way traffic. East of the pass is rougher in spots,…
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Total Miles
20.9
Tech Rating
1 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…
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Total Miles
57.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old La Veta Pass

This trail is an old train route that connected the East and West sides of the Sangre de Cristo mountains up until the 1960s, when the highway was put in. It is now an unmaintained…
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Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Fan Dike

This is a steep, narrow, out-and-back trail with many switchbacks and areas of loose rock. Some areas have steep drops, and the trail ends abruptly, but there is plenty of room to turn around. You…
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Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Steep Mountain

This is a short, easy trail with a few dispersed campsites. It is really more of a road than a trail, and could be driven in most cars.
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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…
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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…
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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…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
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…
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Total Miles
111.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
3.8
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.…
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Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
15.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa