Private Pikes Peak Backcountry Tour: Custom Land Cruiser Off-Road

Off-road through historic canyons, gold rush towns, and forest roads with Pikes Peak in view

A private full-day off-road tour of the Pikes Peak region in a custom Toyota Land Cruiser, where the owner personally drives your group of up to six through Pike National Forest, historic canyon roads, and mining-era sites. The itinerary is built around your interests: choose from Eleven Mile Canyon, Phantom Canyon Road, Shelf Road, Gold Camp Road, Rampart Range Road, and towns like Cripple Creek and Victor. Lunch, water, snacks, and an English-speaking guide are included. The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped for rough terrain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Off-road adventure in Pikes Peak region

• Set off on off-road adventure
• Explore Eleven Mile Canyon
• Visit Rita the Rock Planter
• Drive Phantom Canyon Road
• Travel Shelf Road
• Explore Gold Camp Road
• Drive Rampart Range Road
• Pass through Woodland Park
• Pass through Cripple Creek
• Pass through Victor

The experience

The tour starts with a custom Toyota Land Cruiser (built for both comfort and serious off-road capability), and the owner behind the wheel for every departure. You'll navigate through Pike National Forest on a mix of dirt roads and historic routes that once served railroads and stagecoaches during Colorado's gold rush. The day unfolds across six to eight hours, with stops chosen based on what interests your group: whether that's the granite walls and tunnels of Eleven Mile Canyon, the five-mile limestone shelf of Shelf Road clinging above Fourmile Creek, or the dense forests and historic railway tunnels along Gold Camp Road winding around the back of Pikes Peak.

Phantom Canyon Road and Shelf Road both follow routes built in the 1890s (one as a railroad corridor to the goldfields, the other as a toll road for stagecoaches), and today they deliver dramatic canyon views and a sense of the terrain miners and prospectors once crossed. You'll also have the option to visit Cripple Creek and Victor, mining towns that produced over 22 million ounces of gold in two decades and still preserve 19th-century architecture and museums. Rita the Rock Planter, a 21-foot wooden troll sculpture made from recycled materials near Victor, represents a newer landmark on the same landscape. Rampart Range Road, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offers panoramic views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range from within the forest.

Lunch and snacks are included, along with bottled water and WiFi on board. The vehicle has air conditioning and enough legroom for most travelers, though the third-row seat is tighter and better suited for children. The owner plans each tour specifically for your group's pace and preferences, so the route and timing shift based on what you want to see and how long you want to spend at each stop.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a custom Toyota Land Cruiser with the owner driving.
• English-speaking guide.
• lunch and snacks.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• personalized itinerary based on your group's interests.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ridgeline Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if your group is six or fewer and you want a full day exploring backcountry roads and mining history without a fixed itinerary or other travelers. The owner's personal involvement and the custom vehicle mean you move at your own pace and access terrain a standard tour cannot reach.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What roads and canyons will we actually drive on during the tour?

The tour chooses from six main routes based on your interests: Eleven Mile Canyon, a scenic dirt road through granite walls alongside the South Platte River; Phantom Canyon Road, a historic unpaved route with tunnels and bridges between Cañon City and Victor; Shelf Road, famous for its five-mile limestone shelf above Fourmile Creek; Gold Camp Road, which winds around Pikes Peak through forests and past railway tunnels; Rampart Range Road through Pike National Forest with views of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods; and Upper Gold Camp Road. The owner customizes which roads you take based on what appeals to your group.

How much of the day is actually driving versus stops?

The tour runs six to eight hours total, with plenty of stops along the way to take photos, stretch your legs, and explore the landscape. The exact balance depends on which routes you choose and how long you want to linger at each site.

What are Cripple Creek and Victor, and will we visit them?

Cripple Creek and Victor are historic mining towns from Colorado's 1890s gold rush. Cripple Creek's National Historic Landmark district preserves 19th-century buildings and museums. Victor, known as the "City of Gold Mines," was established in the 1890s and still displays well-preserved mining-era architecture. Both are optional stops on your personalized itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The third-row seat in the Land Cruiser has less legroom and is best suited for children, so families with young kids typically travel in the first two rows.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Private transportation in the Land Cruiser, an English-speaking guide, lunch, snacks, bottled water, WiFi on board, and air conditioning are all included. Bring layers for mountain weather, sunscreen, and a camera. The operator will provide everything else needed for the day.

Why is this tour different from a standard group tour of the area?

Every tour is 100% private for your group of six or less, and the owner personally drives every departure. The itinerary is planned specifically for your group's interests and pace, so you're not following a fixed schedule or traveling with strangers. The custom Land Cruiser is built for off-road terrain and comfort, and you'll access historic canyon roads and forest routes that standard vehicles cannot safely navigate.