Entry No. 50 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: outdoor
Red Rocks Trail Loop (Woodland Park)
Everyone within an hour of Colorado Springs has done Garden of the Gods. Almost nobody has done its quieter twin. Tucked into ponderosa forest north of Woodland Park, this cluster of red sandstone fins rises narrower and taller than the famous ones — and you'll likely have them to yourself. There's no grand trailhead sign, just power lines pointing the way. Within half a mile the trees open onto towering rust-colored rock you can wander behind, scramble into, and lose an afternoon among. The maintained path frays as the formations multiply, which is the charm: past the first set, the route becomes "pick a rock and go explore."
The move: Make the finding the date. Drive up from the Springs, park at the unmarked pull-off, and follow the power lines into the trees together — no signs, no crowd, just the two of you hunting for the first flash of red rock. When the trail dissolves among the formations, let it: split up to scout, scramble into the fins, and meet back to compare which hidden corner each of you found. Pack a thermos and something to eat, then claim a warm slab of sandstone for a quiet picnic before heading back down.
📍 Before you go An easy 3.2-mile loop with about 400 ft of gain through pine forest to scattered red sandstone formations — figure 1 to 1.5 hours, longer if you scramble. Getting there: from Colorado Springs take US-24 west into Woodland Park (~30 min), turn north on CO-67 ~3 mi, then right onto FSR 335 at the Red Rocks Group Campground sign and bear right at the "Y" onto 335A. There's no trail-map sign at the start; the maintained path also disperses among the rocks, so download an offline map and note your turnaround — it's easy to wander off-route. Sits around 8,000+ ft: best March–October, with summer afternoon thunderstorms a real risk (start early, watch the sky) and snow, mud, and a rougher dirt-road approach likely in winter/shoulder season. National Forest land, no entrance fee; dogs welcome on leash. Carry your own water — none available — and pack out everything.
- 📍 Woodland Park / Pike National Forest
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Red Rocks (Trail #708) area, Pike National Forest, ~3 mi north of Woodland Park. From the Hwy 24/67 intersection in Woodland Park, head north on CO-67 toward Deckers about 3 miles, then turn right onto Forest Service Rd 335 at the Red Rocks Group Campground sign. Just past the campground, bear right at the "Y" onto FSR 335A to the dirt pull-off. There is no trail-map sign at the start — look for the overhead power lines and follow them roughly a tenth of a mile to the first formations.
Hours: Day-use, free. Best season: March–October (snow possible off-season; summer afternoons bring thunderstorms). Confirm trail & road conditions before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4
last checked: 2026-06-10