Camping near Colorado Springs?

[nakman]

Anyone have a good tip for an easy dispersed campsite outside of Colorado Springs? I am headed down there tonight... my son's got a soccer game in Pueblo at noon on Saturday. So figured we'd cut the drive up and see some Cave of the Wind/Garden of the God action on the way down in the morning. I also have a new tent I want to try out....


I seem to recall helping the C Springs guys with Xmas trees a few years ago, but can't remember where we were other than Woodland Park? I don't remember how to get there. Any suggestions?

 

[LARGEONE]

Go up highway 24 and turn right at the McDonalds in Woodland Park...that's all I remember

I think this leads back toward Rampart Range Road where we used to cut Christmas Trees.

There is also a cool canyon closer to Pueblo called Phantom Canyon. I think there might be some dispersed spots down that way as well and it would put you out at Canyon City west of Pueblo.

There are also spots going back toward Gold Camp Road, but this is leading you more toward Cripple Creek if I remember right?

 

[nakman]

thanks Paul, that gets me in the right direction. I am pulling down some maps... it looks like I could go in at Momument, then head up to Rampart Range road, then make it to Garden Of the Gods all on dirt.. find a spot to camp somewhere along the way? I think that's the plan, will report back!

 

[SteveH]

Just be aware that there are lowlifes and random idiots on Rampart Range Road, so don't leave vehicles unattended for long periods of time. There are side-roads where you can get away from the yahoos, so try to do that. There's a lot of illegal firearm discharge up there, and that has been an issue of late.

 

[nakman]

ok good to know thanks!

 

[Shuksan]

I found some pretty killer spots off ice cave road, which is off rampart range road. Generally there are surprisingly good spots up there for how close it is. Yeah you might here some people shooting in the morning, but I haven't run into any trouble out there. I would probably get off of Mount Herman Road at least to avoid the high school kids drinking beer.

 

[nakman]

Well my Rampart camping will have to wait for another time... it took a solid 3 hours to get to Colorado Springs tonight, with traffic off and on pretty much the whole way. Guess that's how it is now? Anyway was already getting dark as we got off I-25, and not being too sure where I'm going, I minimized the GPS and opened up Marriott app; have points, aren't afraid to use them.

We'll hit the GOTG tomorrow am, after our free continental breakfast.

 

[Rezarf]

Well my Rampart camping will have to wait for another time... it took a solid 3 hours to get to Colorado Springs tonight, with traffic off and on pretty much the whole way. Guess that's how it is now? Anyway was already getting dark as we got off I-25, and not being too sure where I'm going, I minimized the GPS and opened up Marriott app; have points, aren't afraid to use them.

We'll hit the GOTG tomorrow am, after our free continental breakfast.

Tim, if you're hitting up GOTG, head a few miles up the road to Glen Erie Castle... the .org I work for owns the conference grounds there and the grounds are spectacular. There are some awesome family friendly hikes that are awesome, Echo Rock trail is my personal favorite. It's a continuation of GOTG rock features with zero crowds.

Tour the castle while you're there.

Good camping near Rampart Range Reservoir on Rampart Range Rd, you hit the dirt right by balanced rock and head north... the road eventually dumps out in Woodland Park.

Another premiere hiking spot and some disperse camping is the back side of Pikes Peak called The Cragg's... one of my favorite places to hike in all of Colorado.

 

[LARGEONE]

Another premiere hiking spot and some disperse camping is the back side of Pikes Peak called The Cragg's... one of my favorite places to hike in all of Colorado.

I used to love the Craggs area for snow shoeing and I also did an ascent of pikes peak from that back side one time. Some mountain lions like to hang out back there as well...really cool.