What comes to mind first when you think of Colorado Springs? Mountains, snowy winters, pleasant summers, and endless activities? For sure, but for many adventurers, a classic Colorado Springs hiking excursion is the reason to explore the area.
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and the ideal location sets the stage for unforgettable hiking experiences and jaw-dropping views for military families making a PCS move to Fort Carson, the US Air Force Academy, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, or Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
This city is not only picturesque and a highly coveted duty station, but the scenery and geography create ample opportunity to get outside and walk or hike at an intensity level that fits everyone in the family. Take a look at some of these locations to start hiking!
1. Garden of the Gods
Your family will have plenty of ways to explore one of the most visited city parks, from hiring an outfitter to plan a day of climbing and rappelling to rumbling down the road in a Jeep. But if you’re hoping for a calmer experience, no worries.
Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails on your own. You won’t regret any of the ways to explore the park. The Garden of the Gods is one of the best free things to do in Colorado Springs.
2. Red Rock Canyon
This 1474-acre stretch of the unincorporated Wild West is free to explore. With over 653 acres designated as “open space” to ride horseback, hike, run, and bike, you can visit Red Rock Canyon a dozen times and cover different ground each trip.
Hogback Trail is especially memorable as it guides you to a plateau overlooking Red Rocks, America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak, and the city below. Gorgeous wildflowers greet you during the warmer months.
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This hiking trail runs 5.78 miles out and back, making it quite a hike. It follows the North Cheyenne Creek, crossing it seven times. The cool water flowing makes it one of the more tolerable spots to get out and enjoy the outdoors when the weather heats up.
Though it’s lengthy, the trail is kid-friendly, and if they can make it past the seventh bridge, there’s a beautiful aspen stand, and meadows await you. As a bonus, leashed dogs are allowed.
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4. Pikes Peak Highway
Setting your sights on Colorado's incredible beauty has never been easier. This 19-mile-long winding road takes you to the summit of Pikes Peak and offers stunning views of the lakes, mountains, and wildlife. The trek will take a few hours.
Should you want to stop to take photos or hike a trail or two, it’s best to budget more time. Hikers can forgo the car and head up the Barr Trail or the Crags Trail on foot to the summit. It’s not easy, but the effort makes the views even more breathtaking.
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5. Seven Falls
South Cheyenne Canyon is where the dry prairies meet the foothills. Enjoy “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado” as you venture into Seven Falls. The water cascades 181 feet between the Hercules Pillars, a 900-foot frame for this Colorado natural wonder. To make this experience even more unforgettable, take the steep 224-stair climb to the top, where you’ll access several trails above this phenomenon.
6. Manitou Incline
As the name implies, this trek is all uphill, gaining over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile. This hike isn’t for the faint of heart (or those who just ate a big lunch!). The trail was once used as a cable car route to transport supplies up Pikes Peak. It was then turned into a tourist attraction until a rockslide wiped out the rails on the trail, creating the 2,744-step hiking trail we know today.
7. Palmer Park
With over 25 miles of trails, there’s enough to keep you busy hiking and exploring. But you can also plan the day to visit horse stables, play volleyball, picnic on a playground, take your dog to a dog park, and end the day in a relaxing botanical reserve. It's no wonder that Palmer Park is the recurring weekend destination for many.
Other parks near Colorado Springs:
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park
- North Cheyenne Cañon Park
- Bear Creek Dog Park
In a place this beautiful, it makes sense to explore the nature-provided free things to do in Colorado Springs. With adventures for the littlest members of the family and difficult trails for the thrill-seekers, the Olympic city has it all.
Are you new to the area? Get our free guide below to help you settle into this adventurous city.
