Dakan Road

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4.1/5 (87 reviews)
Perry Park, Colorado (Douglas County)
Last Updated: 05/21/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Camping Category Icon Camping
Forest Category Icon Forest
Dakan Road is a very pleasant trail in the Pike National Forest near Castle Rock that runs from Perry Park Road to Rampart Range Road. It is suitable for all levels of drivers, and any stock 4x4 can run this with no problems. There are a few tremendous views of the front range. This trail can be a bit crowded so be on the lookout for traffic from dirt bikes, ATVs, and other vehicles.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Dakan Road is a dirt and sandstone four-wheel drive road that sees heavy use. It connects Perry Park Road near Castle Rock to Rampart Range Road. It does have a connector road that is a fun offshoot – that road is the top half of Jackson Creek Road and will also intersect with Rampart Range Road, across from the beginning of Long Hollow Road. It has many whoop-de-doos, and these are a whole lot more pleasant if you run this trail uphill, from the east to the west though it can be fun gaining some speed on the way down. Just make sure everything is tied down. Some spots can get pretty washed out, and some sections have deep but passable ruts, but this trail is in good condition most of the time. Traffic will be encountered in either direction so keep your eyes open. The trail is 13.3 miles long from pavement to the top of Rampart Range Road. Depending on how fast you drive, it takes at least an hour but allow an hour and a half to enjoy the sights. If you want to do it as a loop, run it from the bottom to the top, and then make a right turn (north) at Rampart Range Road, make a right at Jackson Creek, and run that FS 502/503 back to the intersection near the rock obstacle. There is only one real obstacle on the trail called the Rock. The condition of this section has been vastly improved but can suffer from use. There are rocks that people drive on around the obstacle. It has a tremendous view. Just after this obstacle, there is a turn uphill at a Y. Make sure you continue uphill and stay on FS 563. If you went straight, it turns into FS 503 and is clearly marked, which is the top half of Jackson Creek and will also intersect with Rampart Range Road, a few miles north of the beginning of Long Hollow Road. This trail can be a bit crowded, so be on the lookout for traffic from dirt bikes, ATVs, and other vehicles. There are seasonal closures from December 1st to May 1st of each year.

Trail Reviews

4.1/5 (87)
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3200
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 09/11/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Balancing Rock is a fun place to walk around. There are a couple of short sections that require high clearance and you'll likely want 4wd.
Trail Review: Dakan Road - Dave H
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/21/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fun and Fast. Great Views. Solid way to spend a day.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 08/12/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This trail seemed more washed out than last year, with a few decent size ruts. Based on running it last year, I was trying to convince a buddy with a 2wd to join and it's likely good he didn't. Any 4x4 with decent clearance should be fine, but don't be deceived by the low rating thinking any car could make it through. Still a great trail with a few openings in the trees for some views, and combined with Rampart Range Road, it makes for a cool way to get from the Larkspur Jellystone campground to Colorado Springs. Allow several hours for that full trip, however. Pictured is my Power Wagon over one of the washed out ruts. Being on a curve my truck's wheel base and width forced me to go right over many of these ruts, where a smaller vehicle could have squeezed around them on the flatter ground pretty easily.
Trail Review: Dakan Road - Matt Niepow
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200
Open
Visited: 08/07/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fantastic ride today. Few bikes on the trail little rain to start but faded away foe sun and nice breeze.
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100
Impassable
Rated 1/5
Visited: 08/05/2023

There is a gate that does not allow public to go through the private property

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