Colorado Springs is a city that offers a wealth of natural beauty and outdoor activities. From the Garden of the Gods to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, there are plenty of parks and recreation areas to explore. Whether you're looking for a picturesque drive tour, a state-of-the-art archery range, or a unique combination of geological, archaeological, historical and ecological resources, Colorado Springs has something for everyone. Be sure to stop by the Nature Center on your way to get detailed geological and ecological information about this region, as well as presentations on nature and activities for the little ones.
Garden of the Gods is one of the city's most iconic parks, located in the southwestern part of the city. This park has 20 miles of walking and biking trails for visitors to explore, as well as incredible views and great trails. Cheyenne Mountain State Park is another great park in Colorado Springs. Not only will you find incredible views and great trails here, but this park also has a state-of-the-art archery range for visitors to enjoy.
Tired after a long day of exploring? Spend the night at one of the 61 campsites offered by the park during the warmer months, with motorhome connections available at certain sites. Opened to the public in 2003, Red Rock Canyon's open space encompasses 1,474 acres of land at the western end of the city. It's full of walking and biking trails, picnic areas, and rugged cliffs that are ideal for trained climbers to navigate. Red Rock Canyon's open space remains a favorite of visitors and locals alike.
Don't miss out on this beautiful park the next time you're in the area. Palmer Park is one of the city's proudest parks, located in the suburban sprawl at the northeast end of the city. Its geological formations of hoodoos and towers contrast with the landscape that surrounds them. Palmer Park, the largest park in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, is sure to blow your mind.
If you're looking for one of the best parks in the city, you have to stop by Bear Creek Regional Park. This 545-acre park is an ideal spot for hiking, biking, and having fun with your dog(s) on the 10 miles of paved and unpaved multi-purpose trails. Known for its large dog park, Bear Creek has plenty of other things to offer travelers. In addition to miles of walking and biking trails, there are volleyball courts, horseshoe courts, tennis courts, and an archery range for visitors to try.
Looking for an escape from urban sprawl? You'll discover that Bear Creek Regional Park is an outdoor paradise. This city park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, geological and archaeological formations, and an extensive network of hiking trails which rival many of the city's other parks. The Hogback formations are a sight to see and are recognizable from almost anywhere in the city. Ute Valley Park is located in the northwest corner of the city, a short distance from the U.
S. Air Force Academy and easily accessible from the highway for those who drive around town. This park recently inaugurated Colorado Springs' first downhill only mountain biking trail, drawing criticism and praise from the public. There's no doubt that this makes Ute Valley a better place for mountain bikers.
If you're passing through El Paso County and love mountain biking, you can't miss Ute Valley Park for a wild ride. If you're a fan of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, another great place to stop off on your outdoor adventures is North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Upon entering, stop by Starsmore Visitors and Nature Center to learn more about its myriad wildlife and geological formations. As you climb up through this canyon following along with Columbine River you'll feel like you've stepped into an outdoor paradise.
North Cheyenne Cañon Park offers many beautiful trails in its canyon with 1.5 billion-year-old granite rock walls that will take your breath away. Beginners can grab a map and relax by taking a short walk through Starsmore Visitors and Nature Center or drive through canyon to Visitor Center for easy access to Helen Hunt Falls. Hike up mountain for short but steep hike or take advantage of wide open spaces with incredible views of Pikes Peak as you explore impressive Colorado Springs park system with trails for walking and biking as well as baseball and soccer fields for athletics, horse stables for walk along trail or dog park for your furry friends. Paint Mines Interpretive Park is unique combination of geological, archaeological, historical and ecological resources that will leave you amazed at what nature has created here in Colorado Springs. Whether you're in Colorado Springs for work or pleasure don't miss out on visiting one these incredible parks for once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you forever.
