Getting there: Enter the Air Force Academy from the south gate,
Basics: 20+ miles, soft surface roads and single track trails, $10/day trailer in fee (summer passes available)
Description: If ever there was a place perfectly set up for a day’s trail ride, this is it. The Academy is at the north west end of Colorado Springs so there is no need for camping. There is a large stable facility with an outdoor arena and round pen for warming up or for just letting your horse stretch its legs. Naturally, there is plenty of water available here. The facility has horses for rent, or you are welcome to bring your own, and there is plenty of room for trailer parking. The best way to find the stable is to enter the academy grounds through the south entrance and get a map at the guard station. I’ve been there twice and I still need the map, but all the roads are paved and in excellent shape.
From the stable, trails go off in all directions. Some are wide and well maintained for groups of novice riders, others are simply game trails. The Academy occupies tens of thousands of acres, most of which are heavily treed with Ponderosa pines, and wildlife is plentiful. I’ve encountered deer and elk, and have met other riders who reported seeing a bear and two cubs. All the while just a stone’s throw from Colorado Springs. If you head west from the stable, you will be riding high up in the foothills and can easily access national forest lands via Forest Service roads. If you go west as far as the fire station road and follow it further west you can pick up Forest Service Trail 713 which goes to Rampart Reservoir and all the trails are in the national forest. If you head east from the parking area, you can reach the historic Santa Fe Trail (see below) and ride the exact route traveled by settlers between Denver and Santa Fe. There are so many options for trails here that you could spend several days exploring, and there is every level of difficulty imaginable. This is a jewel, especially being so close to town.
Chris, the fee went up to $10 for trailer in fee, last summer. Did they change it for this year? I am going there today, will let you know.
Thank’s Rosie, let me know what you find out.