Rampart Range Road in CO is a hidden gem closed in winters

Rampart Range Road is the name of a very scenic unpaved drive located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Where is Rampart Range Road?

The road is located on the boundary of Douglas, Teller and El Paso counties, in the Pike National Forest and runs through the forested crest of the Rampart Range.

Is the Rampart Range Road unpaved?

The scenic road is totally unpaved. The quality of the road varies but all is traversable by automobile and a four-wheel drive vehicle is not necessary. However, if you own a four-wheeler or a dirt bike, you will find an abundance of challenging trails to enjoy and test your mettle. Changing conditions, natural hazards, as well as oncoming traffic may be encountered. The road features some steep parts, with a maximum gradient of 11%.

How long is Rampart Range Road?

The road is also known as Forest Service Road 300. It’s 61,79km (38.4 miles) long, running north-south from Highway 67 between Sedalia and Deckers to the city of Woodland Park (Teller County).

Is the Rampart Range Road open?

The road tops out at 2.876m (9,436ft) above the sea level. It is closed to motorized traffic during the annual closure from December 1 to April 1. They reopen when conditions are favorable for summer recreation.

When was the Rampart Range Road built?

The road was built during the Great Depression of the 1930's by the Civil Conservation Corps. There are absolutely no services along Rampart Range Road and very few "exits" along the way. The drive yields spectacular views of Pikes Peak, the prairie, and the rugged Front Range and Tarryall Mountains, and offers quiet camping,diverse mountain biking and camping opportunities, and one of Colorado’s last fire lookouts atop Devils Head.