Exploring the Outdoors in Colorado Springs: Hiking Trails and Parks

Explore the outdoors in Colorado Springs! Discover hiking trails in Red Rock Canyon, Castlewood Canyon State Park, Paint Mines Interpretive Park & Bear Creek Regional Park.

Exploring the Outdoors in Colorado Springs: Hiking Trails and Parks

Colorado Springs is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of parks and recreation areas to explore. Red Rock Canyon is one of the best open spaces in the city, offering a variety of walking and biking routes. Castlewood Canyon State Park is a hidden gem, and has been named a reference site by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Many of the parks in Colorado Springs are free and open to the public, making them great spots to observe wildlife.

Woodland Park resident Bonnie Sumner recently visited Red Rocks in Woodland Park, and was amazed by what she found. Regional parks provide a large area of parks with recreational resource values of regional and community importance. Neighborhood parks are usually smaller, and are meant to be within easy reach of the local community. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Jared Polis has issued a stay-at-home order for Colorado, while still recognizing the importance of outdoor recreation. The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an incredible combination of geological, archaeological, historical and ecological resources.

These parks often feature walking trails, open lawned areas, picnic areas with pavilions, children's play areas, and court facilities. Bear Creek Regional Park is a 545-acre regional park that offers picnic pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts, children's play areas, archery ranges, horseshoe pits, volleyball and basketball courts. It's a great spot for citizens of El Paso County to enjoy active and passive outdoor recreational activities. Regional trails provide recreational fun, links and access to regionally important recreational areas and local communities. They also offer opportunities to get around without having to use a car.

Community parks are larger than neighborhood parks, and are intended to meet the needs of several neighborhoods as well as the entire community. Are you looking for hiking trails in Colorado Springs? There are plenty of options available! Red Rock Canyon is a great place to start your exploration. Castlewood Canyon State Park is another great spot for hiking. The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is also worth checking out. Bear Creek Regional Park is another great option for those looking for hiking trails in Colorado Springs.