Lost Park Road

Jefferson, Colorado (Park County)

Last Updated: 04/22/2019
3.6 / 5 ( 5 reviews )
Information
Nearby Trails
Status: Open
Typically Open: 06/15 - 12/15
Length: 19.5 miles
Highest Elevation: 10613 feet
Duration: About 2 hours
Shape of Trail: Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel: West
Nearest Town: Jefferson
Nearest Town w/ Services: Bailey
Official Road Name: CR 56
Management Agency: Pikes National Forest
District: South Park Ranger District
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

Highlight: Lost Park Road
Lost Park Road is a gorgeous drive that follows the Lost Creek upstream taking you through several valleys and along the border of the Lost Creek Wilderness. It offers several different access points to the Colorado Trail, other hiking trails, and a network of more challenging 4x4 trails. Only an hour drive from Denver and open year-round, this trail is perfect for a day trip to see some great fall colors, viewing wildlife, snow wheeling, hunting, or a secluded weekend camping trip with endless areas to explore.

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Weather

7 day forecast for Lost Park Road

Route Information

Technical Rating:
(EASY )

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Waypoints

1. Entrance Lost Park Road (0 mi)
Entrance to Lost Park Road off of Highway 285.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 39.391549, -105.786774

Starting Point: Bailey, CO

From Bailey Colorado take Highway 285 west for 21.7 miles and the trailhead will be on the left. From Colorado Springs take US-24 W/W Highway 24 for 38 miles then merge rIght onto Tarryall Road/CR 77. Continue on Tarryall Road for 41.4 miles into the town of Jefferson. Turn right onto Highway 285 and continue for 1.2 miles and the trailhead will be on the right. For further direction here is a link to Google Maps.

Camping

Dispersed

Land Use Issues

This area is part of Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and as such is part of the 2011 Lawsuit where a coalition of conservation and recreation groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service over what they say is the illegal addition of 500 miles of motorized roads and trails. A settlement was reached in late 2015 which requires the U.S. Forest Service to re-evaluate the roads and create a new Travel Management Plan (TMP). Over the next year, some roads may be partially or completely closed while this evaluation proceeds. The TMP process is scheduled over the next 5 years. It is imperative that the OHV-user community voices their interests on this issue. If we do nothing, those 500 miles may be shut down. Contact the local Ranger District at (719) 836-2031 and let them know why the area is important to you as an OHV enthusiast.

Trail Reviews (8)

Author:
shelbyhoodiv
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Mostly dry with the exception of a few large puddles. This road is more bumpy than the FS off shoot roads. Several FS roads to explore with great scenery including aspens galore and continental divide panoramas. Motocross, quads and OHV occasionally passed. Several large camping areas.
Author:
Justin Pascarella
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Great snowrun today with 5 rigs but not without several recovery situations. Made it about 14mi in before we decided to play it safe and turn around. Sliding into ditches were biggest issues. Variety of snow type conditions from hard and packed towards beginning to soft and fluffy further up. Snow at least 2+feet and far deeper in ditches. Would not attempt without 2 or more vehicles for recovery purposes, a modified rig and plenty of adequate recovery gear!
Author:
Matthew a Beason
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Love this road!gorgeous views, the washboard is pretty bad but at the same time as long as you aren't in a hurry it's nothing to worry about
Author:
Josh McDermott
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Decent views but many areas filled with large campers. This road itself isn't the best but there are many off shoots that are more exciting. This road is so wash boarded that you need to take it at 15 mph or 35 mph to smooth it out. it seems there is no in between that won't shake your car apart. the road was completely open with no snow.
Author:
Brett Knauf
Status: Partially Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Did lost park Road lost of washboarding, found a dispersed campsite lots of sites from big family areas to small sites for campers and tents. Explored many trails off CR56 The seasonal gate was still closed
Author:
Jake McCaskill
Status: Partially Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
The seasonal gate was CLOSED yesterday blocking the second half of the trail. Minimal snow up until that point except for one passable icy section.
Author:
Bill Washburn
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
The road is still open back to the Lost Park Campground gate. Snow is packed in the shaded areas with an inch or two with some of it about 6 inches deep in the switchbacks and hill climb at waypoint 9. A couple more decent snows and it might get a little slick.
Author:
Colin
Status: Partially Open
Offroaded on:
Went and did a bunch of the Lost Park area trails yesterday. Everything is open and dry down low. Lost Park road is closed at the seasonal closure gate about halfway in, right before the switchbacks that go up to the higher elevation area. Just FYI.

Questions & Answers (1)

Q: Thinking of driving up here this weekend. By chance has anyone been up this winter and/or could tell me if the seasonal gate is open? Thanks!
–Patrick R (12/17/2019)
–Bradley & Rhea Mikkelson (12/18/2019)

Writer Information

Bradley & Rhea Mikkelson

Mapping Crew - Colorado and South Dakota
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Bradley and Rhea are currently living in the quaint little town of Fairburn, South Dakota with their two daughters, Riley and Dakota, and their dog Nyx. Bradley was raised in Northern Colorado, while Rhea was raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Growing up in these environments, the mountains are where they like to spend their free time. Since meeting in July 2011, they have been fishing, camping, and wheeling together ever since. For the Mikkelson family, owning a Jeep is essential to the mountaineering lifestyle. They currently have three Jeeps, a built 1995 Jeep Cherokee, A mildly built 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a bone-stock 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. As a volunteer wildland firefighter, TrailsOffroad mapping crew and avid nature lovers, the Mikkelson's strongly encourage responsible trail usage, respect for our forests, always stay the trail, pack out what you pack in, and enjoy the adventure!
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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