Pedal out of Pikes Peak RV Park, roll past the Manitou Springs cafés still steaming their first lattes, and in less than a mile your tires bite into Iron Springs Draw’s dirt—5.6 miles of Front Range singletrack that climbs just high enough (1,082 ft) to torch quads and light up the view of Pikes Peak. Quick access, legit cardio, and a shower waiting back at camp—check, check, and check.
Key Takeaways
– Iron Springs Draw trail is 5.6 mi long with 1,082 ft of climbing and a steepest pitch of 25%
– Ride time is 45–90 min; surface is 95% singletrack at 6,487–7,014 ft elevation
– Start right from Pikes Peak RV Park; showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and bike wash wait when you roll back
– Class 1 e-MTBs are okay; throttle (Class 2–3) bikes are not allowed
– Blue-square difficulty: fit 10-year-olds can reach the overlook; two bail-out points help shorten the day
– Link nearby trails for 14 mi or even 25 mi if you want a bigger workout
– Cell service (3–4 bars) and hospital 15 min away add safety; carry tube, tools, water, and a rain shell
– Best seasons: fall is prime; start early in summer, wait a day after spring storms, watch for ice in winter
– Driving from Denver takes about 1 hr; Manitou cafés, gear rentals, and craft beer are a few pedals away.
Is the loop worth your precious weekend hours? Can the kids peel off early if the grades hit 25 percent? Will your e-MTB, Strava PR, or rental ride feel at home on these rocky switchbacks? Keep reading; every answer is dialed in below, plus beta on trailhead parking for big rigs, 90-minute dawn patrols before Zoom calls, and the craft-beer patio that pairs perfectly with a post-ride rinse.
Quick Stats You Can Trust
Most riders click into Iron Springs Draw for three magic numbers: 5.6 miles of length, 1,082 feet of elevation gain, and a max grade that spikes to 25 percent. The ride stays between 6,487 and 7,014 feet above sea level, so visiting lungs get a workout even when legs feel good. Surface mix is 95 percent singletrack with two brief double-track connectors, and the loop typically takes 45–90 minutes depending on fitness, photo ops, and snack breaks.
Those numbers sync with multiple GPS files and published guides, including the Intemann Trail overview and the AllTrails map. Cross-referencing these sources keeps your device on the same page as the wooden mileage posts you’ll see along the way. If distance anxiety still nags, download the GPX files before rolling out so offline mode never leaves you guessing.
Why Weekend Warriors Point the Car South
Skip the I-25 crawl to Golden or Evergreen and aim for Manitou Springs instead. From Denver’s city limits the drive rarely tops an hour, and once you’re parked at Pikes Peak RV Park the urban pedal to the Ruxton Avenue trailhead takes less than five minutes. That “bed-to-dirt” convenience, stacked switchbacks, a 30-second hike-a-bike stair set, and a grassland descent deliver everything intermediate and advanced riders crave—without burning a full day.
Manitou’s downtown also means post-ride calories are closer than your tailgate. Within a quarter-mile you’ll find espresso bars, a burrito joint, and a small-batch brewery that never frowns at dusty jerseys. With so much infrastructure on tap, the loop works for dawn-patrol locals and out-of-state vacationers alike.
Mile-by-Mile Breakdown
The opener warms you up with 0.8 mile of meadow singletrack that rises at a mellow three-percent grade, perfect for dialing tire pressure and shaking travel rust from the legs. After splashing across Crystal Park Creek, you meet a wooden stair set that forces a brief dismount—use it to stretch calves and snap a quick photo of Pikes Peak looming over the ridge. The next act ramps up: a sustained 1.3-mile climb holds seven- to ten-percent grades punctuated by two rock ledges that flirt with 25 percent, rewarding patience and low-gear cadence.
At mile 2.3 a weather-worn bench crowns the high point, framing Garden of the Gods in sandstone and skyline glory; families often turn around here for a shorter outing. Keep going and the trail trades grunt for grin, rolling through scrub oak on a contouring traverse that lets you open the brakes without blowing corners. Pawnee Avenue intersects near mile 4.5, providing a last-chance bail-out before the singletrack funnels into a playful descent that spits you onto Manitou Avenue at mile 5.6.
Loop Options for Every Timeline
Short on time? Ride the out-and-back to the overlook bench—four miles, 872 feet of gain, and a door-to-door hour even with selfies. Looking for a medium burn? Tag on the western spur of the Iron Mountain route for 14 rolling miles and 2,200 feet of total climbing. Endurance addicts can link High Drive, Jones Park, and Captain Jack’s to create a 25-mile epic with 3,500 feet of vert that will test both lungs and suspension.
Stitching routes together is easy thanks to clear signage and cell coverage. Downloading layers to your GPS avoids navigation hiccups, while the steady supply of intersections lets you customize distance on the fly. Bring enough water and snacks for the longest scenario you might consider; the temptation to “just add one more segment” is real.
Rolling Out from Pikes Peak RV Park
Coast west on Manitou Avenue, dip through the roundabout, and climb gentle Ruxton Avenue 0.7 mile to the dirt. Daytime lights, a friendly bell, and a short courteous wave keep hikers happy while you spin past the Cog Railway depot. Returning, you glide straight into coded-door showers, coin-op laundry, a high-pressure bike-wash station, and cold brews a block away.
If the trailhead lot is packed, you won’t care—your rig sits safe and level at camp. Even 35-foot motorhomes fit in the Buddy Stalls, and creek-side sites give lullaby water sounds for recovery naps. The pedal-out convenience beats circling for parking any day.
Gear, Rentals, and SOS Prep
Manitou Gear Exchange rents carbon 29ers and youth hardtails, so out-of-town friends arrive fully equipped without airline bike-fee drama. Criterium Bicycles in Colorado Springs stocks modern e-MTBs, spare hangers, and same-day brake bleeds for surprise mechanicals. Pack a tube, mini-pump, tire plugs, multitool, and one liter of water per anticipated hour on the loop.
Lightning pops nearly every summer afternoon, so a featherweight shell is non-negotiable, and a basic first-aid kit keeps small cuts from becoming big problems. UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central sits 15 minutes away if things go sideways—add its address to your phone’s favorites before rolling.
Reading the Seasons Right
Spring thaw can turn shaded clay into peanut-butter mud for 24 hours after a storm; wait a day to spare the trail and your drivetrain. Summer rewards dawn starts: temperatures crest 90°F by noon, and afternoon lightning jumps unpredictably off Pikes Peak. Fall is the locals’ favorite, offering gold aspen leaves, cool air, and tacky “hero dirt” that invites corner-railing confidence.
Winter riding exists, but ice clings to north-facing pockets—dropping tire pressure two PSI boosts traction, and studded rubber isn’t overkill after a freeze. South-facing slopes melt quickly, so cherry-pick lines of sun-baked dirt when snow blankets town. Whatever the season, keep an eye on the hourly forecast and bail early if thunderheads march over the summit.
Family-Friendly Tweaks
Iron Springs Draw sits comfortably in blue-square territory, meaning confident 10-year-olds can pedal to the overlook bench and back with smiles intact. The grades mostly hover between five and eight percent, so smart gearing and steady cadence trump brute strength. Promise Colorado Custard Company cones 0.3 mile from camp, and motivation stays sky-high.
Bail-outs at Crystal Park Road and Pawnee Avenue shorten the ride if tiny legs fade or weather rolls in. Parents appreciate the absence of exposure cliffs and the abundance of passing space, while kids love the handful of friendly rock roll-downs that feel rowdier than they are. Remember to pack an extra layer and trail mix; happy shoulders carry fewer tantrums.
Tips for the Retired Ripper
Veteran knees rejoice: Class 1 pedal assist is legal here, letting you keep up with grandkids without burning cartilage. Spin the opening climb in ECO mode, save TURBO for the steep rock ledges, and expect a 30-percent-shorter ride time. Benches at mile 0.8 and 2.3 offer scenic heart-rate checks before each descent.
Off the bike, site #4’s level pad lines up perfectly with the paved path, so no gravel ramp is needed for wheelchairs or walkers. Evening strolls along the creek loosen stiff joints, and fiber Wi-Fi lets you stream PT videos while you sip recovery tea.
Ride-Work Balance for Digital Nomads
Roll at 6 a.m., tag the bench by 6:45, and still make the 8 a.m. stand-up—LTE coverage averages three to four bars the entire loop. Back at camp, clubhouse fiber pumps 50 Mbps down and 25 Mbps up, more than enough for HD calls and rapid Strava uploads. A picnic table doubles as a standing desk when the morning sun hits right.
If meetings stack tight, stash a camp stove near your rig: brewing coffee during the pre-call rinse turns transition minutes into caffeinated bliss. Noise-cancelling buds tame the babble of Ruxton Avenue, while fresh trail vibes add spark to any brainstorming session.
Out-of-State Dirt Tourist Essentials
Iron Springs Draw blends tight forest turns with skyline vistas—a fresh palette for riders who usually chase desert slickrock or Pacific Northwest loam. Booking rental bikes a couple of weeks out guarantees proper sizing, and shipping gear to the RV park saves airline baggage stress. Local shops carry altitude-adjusted nutrition tabs; grab them to fend off thin-air cramps.
Manitou’s pedestrian-friendly streets invite evening strolls to mineral springs fountains, art galleries, and ghost-tour meet-ups. Plan a rest day to hike the Incline or drive the Pikes Peak Highway, maximizing your Colorado checklist without repacking the van. With downtown steps away, the itinerary writes itself.
Après-Ride at Camp
Hot showers, bike wash, laundry, lockers, and a communal fire pit greet you back at base, making it easy to transition from sweat-soaked rider to relaxed camper. Creek-side picnic tables invite gear tinkering while trout flash beneath the water, and evening hum from downtown supplies soundtrack without overwhelming the crickets.
Stay three nights and snag a discount; pitch for a week and you’ll feel like a local. Rinse the clay off your tires, upload the PR, and toast under Pikes Peak’s sunset glow while tomorrow’s route ideas swirl among friends old and new.
Iron Springs Draw proves you don’t need a long drive—or a long itinerary—to score big-mountain views and grin-inducing singletrack. When the final switchback spits you back onto Manitou Avenue, let the momentum carry you straight into Pikes Peak RV Park, where hot showers steam, Wi-Fi hums, and creek-side campsites await every kind of rider—from PR chasers to balance-bike beginners. Ready to trade parking-lot chaos for pedal-out convenience? Reserve your spot today and make our park your Front Range basecamp for an unforgettable lap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Iron Springs Draw really worth the drive from Denver or Colorado Springs when I only have a half-day free?
A: Yes—because you can park the car once at Pikes Peak RV Park, pedal less than a mile to the Ruxton trailhead, knock out 5.6 miles of cardio-friendly singletrack in 60–90 minutes, and be showered, fed, and heading home before many Front Range riders even finish the I-25 crawl to Golden.
Q: How long will the standard loop take an intermediate rider who isn’t chasing a Strava crown?
A: Most riders who can hold a steady conversational pace finish in about 75 minutes door-to-door from the campground, including the paved roll-up and a couple of photo or water stops at the bench overlook and Crystal Park Creek crossing.
Q: How technical is the trail, and can my confident 10-year-old handle sections of it?
A: Iron Springs Draw is rated solid blue: expect narrow singletrack, two knee-high rock ledges, and one mandatory stair dismount, but the grades stay at 5–8 percent most of the way, so kids with decent gearing and bike-handling skills can ride to the overlook bench and turn around with smiles and energy to spare.
Q: Are there bail-out options if someone in the group tires early or the weather rolls in?
A: Yes—Crystal Park Road crosses the trail at mile 0.9 and Pawnee Avenue meets it near mile 4.5, giving you two well-signed exits that drop directly back to downtown Manitou Springs in minutes.
Q: Can I ride an e-MTB here, and what class is allowed?
A: Manitou Springs ordinances permit Class 1 pedal-assist bikes on Iron Springs Draw, but throttle-equipped Class 2 and Class 3 models are prohibited, so kill any throttle mode and stick to pedal assist if you want to stay legal and polite.
Q: Where do I park my 35-foot motorhome or travel trailer if the trailhead lot is full?
A: Reserve a “Buddy Stall” or creek-side site at Pikes Peak RV Park for level, full-hookup parking, or use the Hiawatha Gardens overflow lot two blocks away, which accepts rigs up to 12-foot clearance and keeps you within easy spin of the Ruxton Avenue climb.
Q: Are quality rental bikes and kid-sized rigs available nearby?
A: Manitou Gear Exchange rents full-suspension trail bikes and youth hardtails, while Criterium Bicycles in Colorado Springs carries modern e-MTBs and can deliver last-minute brake bleeds or derailleur hangers if your own bike acts up.
Q: Will I have enough cellular data or Wi-Fi to jump on a Zoom call after the ride?
A: LTE coverage averages three to four bars on the entire loop, and back at the RV park the clubhouse fiber line delivers about 50 Mbps down and 25 Mbps up, more than enough for HD video meetings or rapid Strava uploads.
Q: When is the trail most crowded, and how do I score a quieter lap?
A: Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon sees the heaviest mix of hikers and riders, so roll at sunrise for solitude or target mid-week—especially Wednesday and Thursday mornings—when you’ll often feel like you have a private track.
Q: What post-ride amenities are offered right at Pikes Peak RV Park?
A: You’ll roll straight into hot showers, a high-pressure bike-wash station, coin-op laundry, secure lockers for your rig, and a communal fire pit for swapping beta, all within a 400-foot stroll of downtown food, beer, and coffee.
Q: Are there bathrooms or water sources on the trail itself?
A: No facilities sit on the singletrack, so top off bottles and hit the restroom at camp or in downtown Manitou Springs before you start; plan on carrying at least one liter of water per anticipated hour on the loop.
Q: How do seasonal conditions affect ride quality and trail etiquette?
A: Spring thaw can leave the shaded clay slick for 24 hours after a storm, summer afternoons bring near-daily lightning off Pikes Peak, fall offers gold-leaf scenery and hero dirt, and south-facing sections usually melt quickly in winter, so adjust start times, tire pressure, and layers accordingly and avoid riding when mud would rut.
Q: Are dogs permitted, and what courtesy should I show other trail users?
A: Leashed dogs are allowed but must yield to bikes and hikers on narrow sections; use a bell, announce your passes, and dismount on the wooden stair set to keep paws, pedals, and hikers happy.
Q: Where should I refuel afterward if I’m craving something local?
A: Within a quarter-mile of the park you can bite into an elk burger at Manitou Brewing, demolish a green-chile burrito at The Loop, or grab an espresso at Red Dog Coffee, all of which welcome dusty riders and happily fill growlers or to-go cups for campfire lounging.