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| Home > Colorado > North Divide |
North Divide Trail System
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
| Other Names | Pike National Forest, Pikes Peak Ranger District, 717 Trails, Phantom Creek, Rule Ridge, Lower Trout Creek, Spruce Gulch, West Creek, Signal Butte, Manchester Creek |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This popular off-road area offers hundreds of miles twisty and narrow ATV woods trails to wide and rugged 4x4 roads. Most of the trails form long loops that wind near old mines and cabins while providing spectacular mountain views.
This trail system has three designated staging areas - Phantom Creek and Rule Ridge have room for trailers and camping while Lower Trout Creek has just enough space for several compact trucks. Camping is permitted in the staging areas but there is no water so bring your own.
ATV, UTV rentals and guided tours can be found in nearby Divide and Woodland Park. This trail system is open year-round, but check with the Forest Service during the winter months for current conditions before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | Colorado OHV Sticker |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | Colorado Non-Resident OHV permit required. |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | (1998/older limit 99 dB, 1998/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 4x4 & Jeeps (registered) | Some Areas | permitted on designated forest service roads |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on designated forest service roads |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | Not Recommended |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | keep vehicle on trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 1,000 acres (2 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 100 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 8000 to 10000 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand | Little | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks |  Some | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps |  Few | |
| Large Jumps |  None | |
| Berms |  Many | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Some | |
| Roads | Some | |
| Intersections | Some | |
| Shade | Many | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Western Convenience Store (719) 687-7270 |
| Diesel | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Western Convenience Store (719) 687-7270 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (W) | Happy Meadows Campground (719) 836-2031 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (E) | Bristlecone Lodge (719) 687-9518 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (E) | Bristlecone Lodge (719) 687-9518 |
| Campground | 1-5 Miles (W) | Happy Meadows Campground (719) 836-2031 |
 Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Western Convenience Store (719) 687-7270 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Very Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Divide, CO | ||
| Address | Phantom Creek Road, Divide, CO 80814 | ||
| From: Colorado Springs, CO
1) Take Hwy 24 North about 25 miles 2) Turn right (north) onto Manchester Creek Road, continue .5 miles 3) Turn left (north-west) onto Cedar Mountain Road, continue about 9 miles 4) Turn right (north) onto Phantom Creek Road, continue about .5 miles toward staging area. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Pike National Forest - Pikes Peak Ranger District 601 South Weber Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 636-1602 mailroom_r2_pike_san_isabel@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
| Contact Info | Colorado State Parks - Registration Unit 13787 South Highway 85 Littleton, CO 80125 (303) 791-1920 dnr.ivrsparks@state.co.us cpw.state.co.us |
| Comment | Colorado OHV Registration Info |
| Contact Info | Great Outdoors Adventures 19251 E. US-24 Woodland Park, CO 80863 (719) 686-6816 fun@goadventures.org www.goadventures.org |
| Comment | ATV Rentals |
North Divide Trail Photo
Hackett Gulch is one of the difficult 4x4 routes in the North Divide Trail System.
North Divide Trail Photo
This area is popular with ATVs due to the narrow and twisty trails.
North Divide Trail Photo
Most of the trails are are limited to 50 inches wide.
North Divide Trail Photo
Some sections have offcamber berms with light to moderate elevation changes, making it a fun ride.
North Divide Trail Photo
Most of the ATV trails look like this - smooth and twisty.
North Divide Trail Photo
Expect to encounter a few boulders hugging the trail.
North Divide Trail Photo
This area is also called the "717 Trails" due to the Forest Service labeling system. The trails are also open year-round.
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS