Garden Park - 11/19/19 version
Click pictures to supersize.
Garden Park is a BLM-managed area that has dirt roads and one bicycle/horseback/hiking trail. The area is about 9 miles north of Cañon City on Red Canyon Road (CR 9). The area is often rideable in winter because it doesn't get much snow, and the snow it does get usually melts quickly. Summer temperatures in this area can be uncomfortably high, so I don't recommend it - go west to the mountains instead.
The motorized routes are easy dirt roads. The total riding mileage is about 5 miles. There are three overlooks with nice views.
The main attraction of this area is the designated Target Shooting Area. Target shooting has been eliminated from all other areas north of Cañon City - this is all that remains. The shooting area is very easy to drive to in an automobile. Numerous pull-outs are along the shooting area road and provide nice separation for groups. The backdrop for all shooting is a very high ridge - very safe in my opinion.
The map clip on the right ---> shows the main entry on Red Canyon Road. Click the map to see a larger jpg version showing the entire area (print for reference). Road #5940, further north and east of Red Canyon Road is in the Garden Park Area, but is described on another web page - Oil Well Flat and has its own updated map.
Click pdf map to view or right-click to save a pdf map of the area for printing. The pdf version is higher quality than the jpg version.
Click BLM Seasonal Closures page (NEW) to see the Royal Gorge Field Office Wet Weather Gate Status.
DIRECTIONS: From U.S. Hwy 50 in Cañon City, turn north onto Dozier Street (at Wal-Mart) or head north on Raynolds. Travel north on either road as both will curve to the left and intersect Field Avenue.
Turn north (right) on Field Avenue and travel on this two-lane road for about five miles. It will join Fremont County Road 9 (also called Red Canyon Road) at a Y intersection. From here, continue north for 3 miles to BLM road #5935 which will be on your left (west). The road is a 180 degree left turn up the grade on the left.
YouTube no-frills video - Garden Park ride on 1/17/13 riding a Honda CRF250L.
YouTube no-frills video - Garden Park Shooting Area ride on 3/2/13 riding a Honda CRF250L.
See Dual Sport Riding in Central Colorado for information about other areas and rides.