Red Cone Kiosk
A Partnership for Colorado's Iconic Red Cone Trail
VOLUNTEER and PARTNER GROUPS: Mile Hi Jeep Club, Stay The Trail, South Platte Ranger District, Dillon Ranger District
DATE: 6/27/2026
LOCATION: Colorado, South Platte Ranger District / Dillon Ranger District
VOLUNTEER HOURS: 140
MATERIALS USED/BUILT: New 3'×4' kiosk, Red Cone area maps (2), replacement aluminum signs, stain, hardware, hand tools, 4×4 vehicles
Estimated Project Value: $7,000
The Red Cone Trail is one of Colorado's most iconic high-alpine four-wheel-drive routes, connecting the South Platte and Dillon Ranger Districts while offering spectacular views and a challenging one-way descent. With thousands of visitors each season, maintaining accurate trail information and durable infrastructure is essential to protecting the surrounding environment and ensuring a safe experience for all users.
The Mile Hi Jeep Club, the official trail adopter, partnered with Stay The Trail and the U.S. Forest Service to complete a comprehensive trail improvement project focused on updating visitor information, replacing damaged infrastructure, and performing early-season maintenance. The project centered on improving communication with trail users while preserving one of Colorado's most popular backcountry destinations.
A brand-new information kiosk was constructed and installed while an existing kiosk received maintenance and updates. Stay The Trail designed the new Red Cone area maps in-house and built the kiosk frame from scratch to meet U.S. Forest Service signage standards. The updated maps cover the entire recreation area from Red Cone and Webster Pass to Montezuma, providing visitors with current seasonal dates, trail regulations, responsible recreation practices, and important reminders that Red Cone is a designated trail—not a road—and that all motorized vehicles, including full-size 4x4s, are required to display a Colorado OHV permit.
To maximize efficiency, volunteers divided into two crews. One team partnered with the South Platte Ranger District from the Highway 285 side, while the second team crossed Red Cone to meet the Dillon Ranger District. Working together, the crews completed kiosk improvements, repaired fencing, performed early-season trail maintenance, and replaced two weathered and vandalized wooden signs with durable aluminum replacements designed to withstand years of harsh mountain conditions.
Throughout the day, volunteers also engaged directly with trail users, answering questions, discussing current trail conditions, distributing free maps, and promoting responsible recreation. A key safety message emphasized that Red Cone's steep descent is strictly one-way and that drivers should never attempt to travel back uphill against traffic.
The partnership project was a tremendous success, improving visitor information, enhancing safety, and replacing aging infrastructure while strengthening the ongoing collaboration between volunteer organizations and the U.S. Forest Service. Thanks to the dedication of the Mile Hi Jeep Club, Stay The Trail, and Forest Service staff, Red Cone remains a safe, well-managed, and enjoyable destination for Colorado's off-highway vehicle community.
