Gold Camp Road climbs out of Colorado Springs and threads the forested ridges south of Pikes Peak. Built on the bed of the old Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway, it's part history lesson, part scenic drive, and part of one of the best local rides anywhere in the Front Range.
A short history
When the Cripple Creek gold rush peaked in the 1890s, the "Short Line" railroad was punched through the granite to move ore, miners, and tourists between Colorado Springs and the gold camps to the west. Teddy Roosevelt rode it in 1901 and called it "the ride that bankrupts the English language." After the line closed in 1920, the grade was converted into an auto road — Gold Camp Road — and its gentle railroad gradient is exactly what makes it such a forgiving ride today.
The tunnels
The original line had nine rock tunnels. Three remain on the lower stretch above the Broadmoor; Tunnel 3 partially collapsed in 1988 and permanently closed the road to through traffic. For bikes and hikers, that closure is a gift: the section between the old Tunnel 3 site and Old Stage Road is car-free, quiet, and shaded by ponderosa pine.
How to access it
- North Cheyenne Cañon Park — the most common starting point. Park at Helen Hunt Falls or the upper lot and climb to the High Drive intersection.
- Old Stage Road junction — drop in higher up for a longer cruise west toward Victor.
- Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir area — for the upper, less-trafficked stretch with the best ridge views.
What to expect on a bike
The surface is hard-pack dirt and gravel. Grades stay under 4% the entire way — it's a railroad bed, after all — so it rewards steady riders rather than punchy climbers. Elevation runs roughly 7,500 to 10,000 ft depending on how far west you go, so plan water and layers accordingly. E-bikes shine here.
When to go
Late May through October is prime. Aspens turn the upper stretch gold in late September. Mornings are calm; afternoon thunderstorms are real above 9,000 ft from July through early September — start early.
Ride it with us
Our guided Gold Camp Road tour handles the logistics — bike, helmet, shuttle, and a guide who knows every tunnel story — so you can just pedal and look around.