Guides/OHV areas
OHV area35,000 acres85+ miles of designated motorized trail trail midifficulty: difficult

Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area

AgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area — ohv area near Sedalia, Colorado
Photo by Glenn Harper via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Area vitals7 facts
Size
35,000acres
Trail miles
85+ miles of designated motorized trail
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
Motorcycle / Dirt bike, ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
Spotty in the upper drainages; service in Sedalia and Woodland Park.
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The Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area covers roughly 35,000 acres on Pike-San Isabel National Forest between Sedalia and Woodland Park, on the eastern slope of the Front Range. The area has 85-plus miles of designated motorized trail and a network of forest roads open to full-size 4WDs. The system is one of the largest organized motorcycle and ATV networks on the Colorado Front Range, with proximity to the Denver and Colorado Springs metro areas.

Motorcycle single-track makes up the bulk of the trail mileage, with separate ATV and UTV trails up to 50 inches wide. The Rampart Range Road (FR 300) is the spine forest road and is open to full-size 4WDs and OHVs alike. Spring through fall is the riding season; winter brings closures with snow on the upper roads.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • High weekend use. Trails and roads see heavy weekend traffic. Watch for oncoming vehicles on shelf segments.
  • Width restrictions vary. Single-track is motorcycle-only; check trail signage before riding.
  • Spotty cell. Coverage drops in the upper drainages.
  • Wildlife. Deer and the occasional black bear cross the corridors.
  • Fire restrictions. The Front Range is fire-prone; check current Stage I/II/III restrictions before riding.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 39.29330, -105.06830

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSedalia, Colorado
PermitColorado OHV registration required for all off-road vehicles. The system is designated for licensed motor vehicles plus registered OHVs.
Agency contact303-275-5610 (Pike-San Isabel NF Pikes Peak Ranger District)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/rampart-range-recreation-area
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Coordinates39.29330, -105.06830

Getting there

Directions

From Denver, take US-85 south to Sedalia. From Sedalia, head west on US-67 for approximately 10 miles to Rampart Range Road, which is well marked at the top of a hill. Turn south on Rampart Range Road to reach the OHV trail network and dispersed camping.

Two main trailheads serve the 115-mile motorcycle / ATV network:

Dutch Fred Trailhead: Approximately 8 miles south of Rampart Range Road, with restrooms.

Garber Creek Trailhead: Approximately 3 miles south of Rampart Range Road.

The area closes annually around December 1 and typically reopens April 1, weather permitting (sometimes as late as May). All OHVs need Colorado Parks and Wildlife registration before riding.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Rampart Range area runs along the spine of the Rampart Range, a sub-range of the Front Range, between Sedalia (south of Castle Rock on US-85) and Woodland Park (west of Colorado Springs on US-24). Pike-San Isabel National Forest's Pikes Peak Ranger District manages the area. The Rampart Range Road (FR 300) runs the length of the system as the main forest-road spine.

What to Expect

The trail network is concentrated around the Rampart Range Road on both sides. Motorcycle single-track makes up most of the marked trail mileage; ATV/UTV trails up to 50 inches wide are signed separately. Forest roads are open to full-size 4WDs and OHVs in mixed use. Elevation ranges from about 7,000 feet at Sedalia trailheads to over 9,000 feet on the upper Rampart Range. Sites can be busy on summer weekends.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • All OHVs must display a Colorado OHV registration sticker.
  • Street-licensed vehicles (motorcycles, 4WDs) operate under standard Colorado licensing.
  • Spark arresters are required.
  • Single-track trails are motorcycles only; ATV/UTV trails are signed up to 50 inches wide; full-size vehicles use forest roads only.
  • Quiet hours and noise limits apply on the trails near residential areas.

Hub Trailheads

  • Indian Creek Trailhead. Off CO-67 south of Sedalia. ATV and motorcycle trail access.
  • Rampart Reservoir. Eastern access via Woodland Park; reservoir loop and lake access.
  • Devil's Head Lookout area. Off the Rampart Range Road on the central spine.
  • Westcreek. Smaller access point on CO-67 between Sedalia and Woodland Park.

Where to Camp

Multiple FS campgrounds on or near the system: Devil's Head, Indian Creek, Painted Rocks, South Meadows, and Rampart Reservoir. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Most riders use Sedalia, Woodland Park, or Castle Rock as a basecamp.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Buy or print the Pike-San Isabel motor-vehicle use map (MVUM) before riding. The signed network is extensive and changes year to year.
  • Plan for crowds on summer weekends. Indian Creek and Rampart Reservoir trailheads fill early.
  • The Rampart Range Road is mixed-use and sees heavy weekend traffic. Watch for descending vehicles on the shelf segments.
  • Top off in Sedalia, Woodland Park, or Castle Rock. There is no fuel inside the system.
  • The Pikes Peak Ranger District (303-275-5610) holds current closure info.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area?
Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Do you need a permit for Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area?
Spotty in the upper drainages; service in Sedalia and Woodland Park.