Rampart Range Road

Enter Garden of the Gods from the southern entrance and the towering Balanced Rock will catch your eye as you get closer to the trailhead. A bit further ahead, you'll see a clear turn-off on the side of the road with a gate marking the start of Rampart Range Road. The Garden of the Gods Park is open year-round from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and there is no fee to simply drive around within the park.

Garden of the Gods is a local park in Colorado Springs known for its stunning red rock formations, a few over 300 feet tall. The land was donated to the city in 1909 by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins, who had purchased it years earlier. Today, it's a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and rock climbers. The new Visitor and Nature Center, offers educational exhibits and guided tours and is a great place to stop before hitting the trail.

• After hours, you can only enter and exit Rampart Range Road from this southern entrance to the park. The gate that closes the park after hours is visible from this trailhead but does not block the trail itself.

Continue past this private road. It is usually gated closed, but it can cause confusion if it is not.

On this curve, signs mark the beginning of the forest as you pass out of the Garden of the Gods. These signs are there to indicate any special notices for the area. Please stop by and see if you should be aware of anything, including closures.

Beyond the signs, the devastating effects of the Waldo Canyon Fire, which ravaged the area in 2012, are visible. The wildfire consumed more than 18,000 acres of land, requiring the deployment of over 1,500 firefighters, 70 firetrucks, and air support to control it. Tragically, the fire caused nearly half a billion dollars in damages to homes and businesses, making it the most destructive fire in Colorado's history.

As you continue along Rampart Range Road, you'll see evidence of the fire's impact on the landscape. Burned trees and scorched earth are sad reminders of the wildfire's ferocity. Despite the damage, however, the area is slowly recovering, with new growth beginning to emerge and wildlife returning to the region.

The pullout offers a scenic overview of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. Be careful where you go. The area is under recovery protection from the 2012 fire and is regrowing. A few of the walking trails have been reopened, but many restrictions remain.

This scenic overlook is a short distance from Pike's Peak, giving spectacular views of the mountain.

This marked parking area was once a picnic spot with amenities, but time has taken its toll, leaving little behind. The site receives maintenance but is largely neglected, with loose rocks posing hazards. Use caution while walking around.

Rampart Range was once part of an enormous expanse of forest that covered much of Colorado. However, in the early 20th century, logging companies exploited the area for its abundant timber resources, leading to widespread deforestation. By the 1930s, the effects of deforestation were apparent, with soil erosion, flooding, and other environmental problems on the rise.

In response to these issues, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933. The CCC was a work relief program that employed young men to carry out conservation projects across the United States. In Colorado, the CCC was tasked with reforesting Rampart Range and other areas decimated by logging and other destructive activities.

The CCC erected two markers to immortalize their work along Rampart Range Road; only the base of this one remains. These markers, made of stone and bearing the CCC's distinctive logo, were a testament to the organization's efforts to restore the region's natural beauty.

To stay on Rampart Range, stay straight on the dirt road. If you take Lake Circle Drive, you'll reach Rampart Range Reservoir, a must-visit spot for a relaxing day. Fishing and boating opportunities abound, and two designated campgrounds exist, Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge. This popular destination requires $6 per vehicle to enter

This parking lot is for anglers looking to walk out to Rampart Reservoir. Fishermen find a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon. The reservoir is regularly stocked with fish, and fishing is permitted year-round with a valid Colorado fishing license. The reservoir also has boat ramps for those who wish to fish from a boat. Additionally, the nearby Rampart Range Recreation Area has streams and lakes that offer opportunities for fly fishing.

Springdale Campground is a first come, first serve campground that is fee-based. It features 17 campsites surrounded by forest, with amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water. The campground is ideal for those looking to enjoy nature, with nearby hiking trails and fishing spots.

Despite the smooth entrance Schubarth Road turns into a moderate trail a short distance in.

This intersection can be confusing with inadequate signage, so follow the dirt road. You've gone the wrong way if you end up on a paved road. Sticking to the pavement will lead you to the Rampart Range residential area, which leads out to Woodland Park and Route 24. During winter, Loy Creek Road and Mount Herman Road are the only two entryways to the open parts of Rampart Range.

To the east is Beaver Creek which will loop back to Mount Herman Road.

Farish Recreation Area, spanning 655 acres at 9,000 feet in the Pike National Forest, just a few miles from Woodland Park. Managed by the U.S. Air Force Academy, this picturesque retreat is not accessible to the general public. However, it welcomes active-duty military personnel, retirees, Department of Defense personnel, non-appropriated fund employees, Reserve and National Guard members, and their families.

Mount Herman Road is on the east side of the road and well marked. The easy trail leads back to Monument and Route 25.

The entrance to Balanced Rock Road is on the east side of the road.

This is the entrance to Ice Cave Road.

.

Hotel Gulch is on the west side of the road and connects back to Route 67.

.

Gove Creek Road is on the northern side.

This is the northern gate for seasonal mud closures. Rampart Range Road and many of the trails in the area are prone to seasonal mud closures, typically occurring in early spring (March-April) and late fall (October-November) when the ground is wet and muddy. During these times, the trails can become very slick and dangerous, causing damage to the natural environment and making it difficult for vehicles to pass. The closures are put in place by the US Forest Service to protect the area and ensure that it remains accessible for future generations. 

Dakan Mountain (Dakan Road) is on the eastern side of the road and leads out towards Perry Park (Route 105) and Castle Rock.

Long Hollow Road is on the southern side of the road. The trail leads back to the Rainbow Falls area and Route 67.

.

Upper Jackson Creek is on the northeast side of the road and connects to Dakan Road and back towards Perry Park Road (Route 105) and Castle Rock.

This is a large picnic area on the west side of the road with a single parking lane. Frankly, this is an odd place to stop for lunch. You cannot park here and leave your vehicle; it only has a few benches and tables.

The Devil's Head entrance is on the east side of the road here. Devil's Head Mountain is a prominent peak in the Rampart Range of the Colorado Front Range. At the top of the mountain is the Devil's Head Lookout, the last of seven original Front Range Lookout towers still in service. The tower was built in 1912, and in 1932 the current lookout building was erected. The lookout is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.

The area offers 21 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can accommodate RVs up to 22 feet long. The campground is open from mid-May through mid-October, depending on weather conditions.

The Flat Rocks Overlook looks out towards Gott Mountain and Castle Rock.

A sizable gate marks the Waypoint, and to the side, you'll find a parking lot complete with restrooms. This large staging area is a good finish or launch point.

The trail ends on County Road 67. Turn north to go towards Sedalia. Turning south takes you toward Deckers and the South Platte River. There happens to be a working payphone here! If all else fails, it's a place to call for help.