The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center is the most visited attraction in the Pikes Peak region, offering FREE admission, iconic views, interactive museum exhibits, world class shopping, and the fun and exciting Geo-Trekker Theater movie experience.
So much to do. Start your adventure at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center! Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, or guided nature walks, make sure to check into the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center and we will get you started on your next adventure!
For active folks who love hiking, there are 15 miles of trails to explore in the Garden of the Gods. Explore the park on your own or take one of the guided walks in the Central Garden area.
Bean Sprouts is a hip & healthy café that offers a variety of choices for the entire family including those who have picky eaters, allergies and other dietary challenges. Bean Sprouts’ award-winning Imaginibbles children’s menu empowers kids to make their own healthy choices. Grown-ups are delighted with equally tempting adult choices and a coffee bar! Bean Sprouts adheres to clean ingredient guidelines and features organic and sustainable foods, compostable packaging and eco-friendly design.
The park has a ranch theme with elements designed to resemble what would be traditionally found on a homestead; including:
- “The Homestead:” a large pavilion and picnic area with orchards and parking lot.
- “The Corral:” a universally accessible playground and shade shelters
- “The Watering Hole:” a spray ground (restrooms located in this area)
- “The Round Pin:” a small artificial turf field
- “The Range:” three size “A” soccer fields, in-line hockey rink/basketball court, four pickleball courts, plaza overlooking multi-use fields, small playground, restrooms, two parking lots, nearby on-street parking
- “The Pastures:” 3 Reservable Pavilions and two shade shelters, gravel walking loops, parking lot
- The park also features: Briargate trail (along Briargate Parkway), two miles of interior sidewalks, two acres of Bluegrass
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of El Paso County’s most unique open spaces. The Paint Mines are named for their colorful clays that were collected by American Indians to make paint. Brightly colored bands, caused by oxidized iron compounds, are found in varying amounts throughout the many different layers of clay.
Hike the foothills, search for mule deer, and discover Bear Creek! Scrub oak thicket, ponderosa pine forests, meadows, a mountain creek, and abundant foothills wildlife attract children and adults to Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center.
Walk the wetlands, search for great blue herons, and explore Fountain Creek – only 15 minutes south of downtown Colorado Springs! An “oasis on the plains” with ponds marshes, meadows, cottonwood forests, and Fountain Creek, the nature center is attractive to visitors of all ages. The nature center offers a unique look into the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area and serves as an entry to a variety of discovery experiences.
Visitors will find a restful environment among the thick forest of ponderosa pines. Timber Ridge provides an overlook of Aspen and Spruce Lakes as well as a picturesque setting of Pikes Peak and the mountain backdrop.
The crisp air and smell of the ponderosa pines give a distinctive feeling to this 385-acre regional park. There are spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range. The developed area, with turf playing fields, tennis courts, playground, and two picnic pavilions were created in natural openings of the forest.
The visitor center provides an opportunity to learn about the park’s diverse natural resources while taking in an amazing view. The park offers day use picnicking sites, 61 campsites, an archery range and 20 miles of trails open to hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.
Palmer Park is a regional park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Located at 3650 Maizeland Road, the park is several miles northeast of the downtown area. Elevation Outdoors Magazine named it Best Urban Park in its Best of Rockies 2017 list.
Acacia Park was Colorado Springs’ first park, and was donated to the City by General William Jackson Palmer, the city’s founder, in 1871. AMENITIES: Handicap accessible, Bandshell (reservable),Uncle Wilbur Fountain, The HUB Visitors Center: May 26 – Sept 3; 11:30-6:30 p.m., Outdoor Ice Skating Rink (November-January), playground, and sidewalks.
The master plan was adopted by the City of Colorado Springs’ Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board on May 10, 2018. Some highlights of the North Cheyenne Cañon Master Plan: 350+ residents participated in the drafting of the plan. The park will expand from 19 to 35 miles of trails. New interpretive programs will be offered. Recommendation of improved parking and additional trailheads. Recommendation to hire additional seasonal employees
AMENITIES: Prospect Lake, Bath House and Boat House: paddleboarding, kayak rentals, open swimming, (link is external) swimming beach, boating (motorized and non-motorized), two fishing areas (one wheelchair accessible fishing dock). Mark “Pa” Sertich Ice Center: public ice skating, lessons. Velodrome: bicycle racing track, roller skate racing track. Sports Center: Parks and Recreation’s Sports Division Administrative Office; three baseball/softball fields, 15 football/soccer fields, 12 tennis courts with Tennis Center. YMCA operates the Memorial Park Recreation Center (indoor pool), fitness room, social/play room; swimming lessons.
AMENITIES: Basketball court, non-motorized boating, picnicking, playground, large group shelter, sledding, Quail Lake Fitness Trail (hiking, biking, jogging and fitness, 1 mile in length), two sand volleyball courts, and fishing.
Monument Lake is a 30 acre reservoir in the Tri-Lakes area. AMENITIES: Fishing, Non-motorized boating, and swimming.
Once inside Seven Falls, you’ll be enveloped by cliffs and delighted by the cascade of water. The falls tumble 181 feet down the head of this box canyon, dancing from granite face to granite face in seven distinct leaps.
Welcome to America’s only mountain zoo! Named 4th-Best Zoo in North America by USAToday’s 10Best! Hand-feed giraffes and budgies, experience animals up-close, and witness a view like no other! We’re open 365 days a year, so whether you’re planning your first Colorado Springs vacation or returning to experience more of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, we’re happy to have you!
Enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure on the safe, scenic Pikes Peak Highway. Encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds… all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America’s most famous mountain.
Explore the electrically lit portion of the Cave of the Winds on a 45 – 60 minute guided walking tour which includes 15 rooms, a 1/2 mile of concrete walkways, and 196 stairs. On this family-friendly tour, you will learn about the history and geology of the cave while being shown some of its most beautiful formations.
Red Rocks Canyon contains many miles of trails of varying difficulty that wind through and around the rock formations, and is popular with hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers. The park trails connect to the Intemann trail to Manitou Springs and the Section 16 conservation area to the south. Technical rock climbing is allowed with a permit.
Explore the fascinating architecture of the ancient Anasazi and browse through two museums featuring cultural displays all overlooking the historic town of Manitou Springs.