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Rampart Reservoir Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (113)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Woodland Park
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“Excellent singletrack circumnavigating around a scenic reservoir in the Rampart Range of Colorado. ”

Kevin League
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14.2

Miles

22.9

KM

90%

Singletrack

9,266' 2,824 m

High

9,000' 2,743 m

Low

1,034' 315 m

Up

1,027' 313 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Some of the best singletrack in the Colorado Springs area: the Rampart Reservoir Trail is a local warm season favorite for riders of all abilities. It features mostly smooth sections of trail with periodic obstacles, winding through unique rock formations, a variety of wildflower filled meadows and a portion of recently burned forest along the shore of a very scenic reservoir in the Rampart Range of southern Colorado.

Need to Know

The route described here is from the the Rainbow Gulch Trailhead, the most common starting point for most mountain bikers. The parking here is free, but it adds a short, less than two mile, descent and climb back to the the trailhead. Paid parking and direct access to the reservoir trail is located in the Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area a few miles away.

The reservoir is a very popular recreation area for many different user groups, especially for the fishing contingency. On any given summertime weekend or holiday, you are likely to see parking at near capacity, but do not let this discourage you from riding. On the busiest summer days you're likely to only see a few people either hiking or riding the trail. Most users of the recreation area are there for the boating, fishing, and picnicking.

Description

Leave the trailhead on a wide dirt road heading downhill. About a half mile later, you'll reach a fork: a singletrack trail goes left and parallels the road. The road or singletrack will take you to the same location, but I recommend the singletrack, its more fun! Follow the singletrack until it intersects with the road again a short time later. To continue on the singletrack, cross the road by turning right and an immediate left where the aqueduct pours into a canal. Follow the singletrack now paralleling the canal and road, through the willows to the intersection of the Rampart Reservior trail, which crosses the canal via a sturdy bridge.

Turn left, crossing the bridge and then turn right back onto the road that quickly turns into singletrack. Travel clockwise around the reservoir. The trail travels around each and every arm of the reservoir. Occasional obstacles interfere with the flow of the trail, requiring dismounts for all but the most advanced riders. You'll encounter a few small creek crossings as well.

At the 9 mile mark you'll reach the reservoir dam. Cross over the dam, reaching the south shore of the reservoir and pass the guard shack. Pick up the singletrack immediately after the guard shack and gate.

The south shore of the lake interacts with more recreational infrastructure like picnic sites and fishing access to the shore. You'll encounter more foot traffic from these users and the trail is a bit more worn. The south shore has also seen the most impacts of the Waldo Canyon Fire and you'll pass through a few burned sections. A few dismounts may be required to cross some flagstone paved stormwater drains that intersect the trail.

After riding through the burn and then into a deep mature forest, you'll return back the the bridge where the loop begins and ends. Take either the singletrack or road back to the trailhead. I prefer to take the trail downhill in the beginning and the road at the end for the short climb back.

As described here, many riders enjoy traveling around the reservoir clockwise. However the trail heading around the lake counterclockwise is also very good. For a longer ride, finish a lap around the lake going one direction and then finish with another lap going the other way.

Finally, while the trail is perfectly suitable for even beginner riders, skilled riders also enjoy the trail for the somewhat frequent technical challenges. Most riders should expect to dismount and walk some of the more difficult sections located in a dozen or so spots along the trail.

History & Background

Rampart Reservoir or Rampart Range Reservoir supplies domestic drinking water for the City of Colorado Springs. Water for the reservoir originates from the Colorado River Watershed and is supplied through a series of transcontinental pipelines buried under the Rocky Mountains. Planning for construction of the reservoir began in the 1960s as the population of southern Colorado and its need for drinking water increased. In 1969, the reservoir's dam was built and five years after its completion, the reservoir was opened to the public as a recreation area.

Contacts

Local Club: Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

Feb 26, 2024: Use YOUR voice to direct the future of recreation in Colorado: SCORP ’24

Feb 1, 2024: The Trail That Dare Not Speak its Name

Land Manager: USFS - Pike & San Isabel National Forests Office

Shared By:

Kevin League with improvements by Bob Moore
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 113 votes

#1

in Woodland Park

#194

Overall
  3.9 from 113 votes
5 Star
26%
4 Star
52%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Woodland Park

#61

in Colorado

#194

Overall
25 Views Last Month
37,552 Since Jul 5, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
3%
65%
13%
18%
1%
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Photos

In the summer the flowers along the trail are awesome. The Rocky Mountain Columbine was designated the official state flower of Colorado in 1899 after winning the vote of Colorado's school children.
Jul 5, 2013 near Cascade…, CO
Beautiful morning ride with the aspens changing. Just a bit of dew to tamp down the dust.
Oct 4, 2016 near Cascade…, CO
One of the many beautiful alcoves on Rampart Reservoir.
Oct 4, 2016 near Cascade…, CO
Typical view from the east side of the reservoir.
Jun 9, 2016 near Cascade…, CO
Sunrise on Rampart Reservoir.
Sep 22, 2017 near Cascade…, CO
Late September/early October gives an amazing ride through the changing aspens.
Oct 4, 2016 near Woodlan…, CO

14 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 10, 2024
Bob Mesler
13.9mi — 1h 56m
Jun 5, 2024
Taylor Schenck
14.9mi — 2h 41m
May 27, 2024
J Welle
Took around 4 hrs. Chill pace. Rode a Steph her third ride 14.2mi
May 22, 2024
Brad Osborn
I agree with the May 11 check-in somewhat. We had to cyclocross over about 25–30 trees, but it's still a really good time in a beautiful setting.
May 11, 2024
George Onorato
this trail is virtually un-rideable right now. Between site development and storms, there are down trees everywhere. some area dangerous, beware. 14.8mi — 2h 53m
Sep 17, 2023
Dan 60D5H411
With Owen, Eliana, Tina
Apr 1, 2023
Justin Meek
Passable. Several snow drifts but overall a good ride. 14.2mi — 2h 48m
Nov 6, 2022
Artur Kaluta

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