Oil Well Flats Rec Area

Twelve miles of single-track trails invite trail users to Oil Well Flats with its spectacular views of the valley below and the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range in the distance. Some routes are shared with motorized travelers but most visitors come for mountain biking, dispersed camping, hiking, horseback riding and dog walking. The best time to visit is late September through May when temperatures are comfortable. Visitors share the area with cattle grazing in the meadows and occasionally wildlife and cattle walk the trails. Trailer parking is available in the second parking lot with vehicle parking at the first parking lot. Visitors are encouraged to use the suggested camping sites, marked with a camping symbol. A wet weather gate closes the area to motorized use during wet conditions. This gate location allows some parking for non-motorized trail users. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.

LOCATION: 6.5 miles north of Canon City, Colorado. From US Hwy 50 in Canon City, you can turn north at the Steinmeier traffic light (at Wal-Mart) or head North on Raynolds at the next traffic light. Travel north on either road as both will curve to the left and intersect Field Avenue. Turn north (right) on Field 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 3.5 miles to BLM road #5940 which will be on your right. Head up the steep grade to the parking area on your right. If you have a trailer, continue to the second parking area on the right.