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Submission
Piney River Ranch is open seasonally, from June 21st through the last weekend in September. During our season, we are open from 9am to 4pm, daily. The road to Piney stays open beyond the closing date of the ranch. The U.S. Forest Service has jurisdiction over Red Sandstone Road, the road to the ranch, and dictates road openings and closings for the season, to ensure conditions are safe for travelers. We suggest calling the USFS on (970) 827 5715 after September 27th each year for updates on the road and its condition.
Red Sandstone Road, the road to Piney River Ranch, is owned and maintained by the US Forest Service. You may access the ranch via Red Sandstone Road from June 21st through the last weekend in September 2021. The road to Piney stays open beyond the closing date of the ranch and is closed by the Forest Service shortly after. This schedule is dictated by the Forest Service to ensure the road is safe to travel, due to high level of snowfall in the off-season and winter months. We suggest calling the USFS on (970) 827 5715 after September each year for updates on the road and its condition.
Piney River Ranch is located 12 miles from West Vail at the end of Red Sandstone Road. Our physical address is 700 Red Sandstone Road. Please note that GPS systems typically only take you to the beginning of the U.S. Forest Service road that leads to the ranch. You must travel 12 miles past that point to reach the ranch entrance, which is about 45 additional minutes. Due to our location within a National Forest, sites such as Google Maps or MapQuest will not always route you properly to the ranch. If using GPS please enter Piney Lake otherwise please use the directions below.
The road is not paved, so it can be a little rough—however, four-wheel drive is not necessary. Please allow at least 45 minutes from the start of the dirt road to arrive at Piney River Ranch.
FROM VAIL
From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. Take your first right thru the round-a-bout on to North Frontage Road (you will now be traveling on the north side of the interstate).
At Red Sandstone Road (.5 miles), turn right, and follow the paved road until about 0.7 miles. Just before the sharp curve to the right – the dirt road you need to take will be straight ahead, turn here. There should be a large green Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here).
Continue for about 2.7 miles to a fork in the road at Lost Lake Road (#786). Do not turn right – Keep left here to stay on Red Sandstone Road.
Around mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road/FSR 734 which forks to the left – Stay straight. At mile 6.7 you will pass another fork to the left for Muddy Pass/Moniger Road. Stay straight.
When you are just over two miles from the ranch, you will cross a small bridge over Piney River. Follow the road as it curves to the right, where you will see a sign for Piney Lake two miles ahead.
You will reach a Forest Service parking lot on the right at mile 10.65 before the entrance to Piney River Ranch. If you are only hiking, we request you park in this lot. The trailhead is on the north side of the parking lot (left side of the parking lot as one faces the Piney River Ranch entrance). If visiting the ranch, you may drive further to our parking lot.
FROM AVON
Take I-70 East to Exit 173 – West Vail Exit. Go left round the roundabout and under the highway. Turn right onto North Frontage Road. After passing the shops, the post office and one roundabout, you will turn left onto Red Sandstone Road, and follow the paved road until about 0.7 miles. Just before the sharp curve to the right – the dirt road you need to take will be straight ahead, turn here. There should be a large green Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here).
Continue for about 2.7 miles to a fork in the road at Lost Lake Road (#786). Do not turn right – Keep left here to stay on Red Sandstone Road.
Around mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road/FSR 734 which forks to the left – Stay straight. At mile 6.7 you will pass another fork to the left for Muddy Pass/Moniger Road. Stay straight.
When you are just over two miles from the ranch, you will cross a small bridge over Piney River. Follow the road as it curves to the right, where you will see a sign for Piney Lake two miles ahead.
You will reach a Forest Service parking lot on the right at mile 10.65 before the entrance to Piney River Ranch. If you are only hiking, we request you park in this lot. The trailhead is on the north side of the parking lot (left side of the parking lot as one faces the Piney River Ranch entrance). If visiting the ranch, you may drive further to our parking lot.
Gorgeous 😍 views, one of my favorite hikes ever. Definitely worth the drive to get to!
