By Pink Realty
Colorado Springs is one of those rare places where an entire day outside still leaves you feeling like you have only just started. Within a few miles of downtown, you can walk through red rock canyons, climb a historic incline, and end the afternoon near the base of Pikes Peak.
We know this landscape well, and we are glad to share how to make the most of a single day in the outdoors here.
Key Takeaways
- Garden of the Gods: This iconic free park in northwest Colorado Springs delivers red rock formations, paved and unpaved trails, and mountain views that set the standard for any outdoor day.
- North Cheyenne Cañon: This dramatic canyon park offers waterfall hikes, shaded creek trails, and access to some of the quietest natural terrain within city limits.
- Manitou Incline: The famous incline above Manitou Springs gains more than 2,000 feet of elevation in under a mile and stands as one of the most demanding short climbs in Colorado.
- Red Rock Canyon Open Space: This free open space on the western edge of the city delivers trail options for every fitness level against a backdrop of striking geological formations.
Start the Morning at the Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is the natural starting point for any day spent outdoors in Colorado Springs, and morning is when the park is at its finest.
Trail Options at Garden of the Gods
- Perimeter Trail: This 3.5-mile loop circles the entire park and offers the widest variety of geological formations and mountain views, including sightlines toward Pikes Peak.
- Central Garden Trail: The shorter paved path through the heart of the park is ideal for those who want the full visual experience without a demanding hike.
- Siamese Twins Trail: This short trail leads to a natural rock arch framing a view of Pikes Peak that appears on more Colorado Springs photographs than almost any other single image.
The red sandstone formations catch the early light in a way that photographers and hikers plan their visits around, and the trails are quietest before nine.
Mid-Morning: Waterfalls and Canyon Trails in North Cheyenne Cañon
North Cheyenne Cañon Park is one of Colorado Springs' most beloved natural spaces, tucked into the foothills just southwest of downtown.
Highlights in North Cheyenne Cañon
- Helen Hunt Falls: This accessible waterfall near the upper canyon is a short walk from the parking area and one of the most visited natural landmarks in Colorado Springs.
- Silver Cascade Falls: Located above Helen Hunt Falls along the same trail corridor, Silver Cascade offers a quieter and more rewarding waterfall experience for those willing to hike a bit farther.
- Lower Columbine Trail: This shaded trail along the canyon floor follows North Cheyenne Creek and is ideal for a moderate hike with consistent creek views and forest cover.
The canyon runs along North Cheyenne Creek, delivering shaded creekside trails and waterfall destinations that reward the effort of the hike.
The Afternoon Challenge: Climbing the Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline is one of Colorado's most famous short climbs — a former incline railway route that draws hikers from across the country to test themselves against its grade.
What to Know Before You Go
- Trailhead on Ruxton Avenue: The Incline begins just off Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs, and parking near the trailhead fills early on weekends — arriving before nine helps considerably.
- Descent via Barr Trail: Most climbers descend on the adjacent Barr Trail, which provides a gradual switchbacking return through ponderosa pine forest and is easier on the knees than retracing the Incline.
- Manitou Springs Village: The eclectic downtown area below the Incline offers restaurants, cafes, and the historic mineral spring fountains that give the town its name.
After the descent, the Victorian streets of Manitou Springs are an ideal place to refuel with lunch before the afternoon continues.
Wind Down at Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space sits on the western edge of Colorado Springs and offers a completely different geological experience from Garden of the Gods — older, quieter, and less trafficked.
Trails and Features at Red Rock Canyon
- Red Rock Canyon Trail: This moderate loop covers the most scenic sections of the open space and passes through a narrow canyon corridor with walls of Fountain Formation sandstone.
- Canyon Vista Points: Several overlooks along the main trail deliver views across the open space and back toward downtown Colorado Springs and the eastern plains.
- Western Edge Access: The park's western trails connect to additional open space land on the slopes above the canyon, where the crowds thin out and the pace slows naturally.
The outdoor activities in Colorado Springs CO that this open space offers make it a fitting close to a day that began at Garden of the Gods.
FAQs
Are the outdoor spaces in Colorado Springs free to access?
Most of Colorado Springs' signature outdoor destinations carry no admission fee, including Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Cañon Park, and Red Rock Canyon Open Space.
Is the Manitou Incline suitable for beginners?
The Manitou Incline is considered a challenging climb and is generally recommended for those with some hiking experience and a reasonable level of cardiovascular fitness.
What is the best season for outdoor activity in Colorado Springs?
Late spring through early fall — roughly May through October — offers the most reliable conditions for outdoor activity in Colorado Springs. Summer afternoons can bring brief but intense thunderstorms, particularly above treeline, so morning starts are generally advisable for any trail above 8,000 feet.
Explore Colorado Springs with Pink Realty
Colorado Springs is a city that earns the loyalty of the people who choose to live here, and outdoor life is a big part of why.
When you are ready to start that chapter, we are ready to help. Contact us at Pink Realty today and let us show you the neighborhoods and properties that make Colorado Springs one of the most compelling places to live in the American West.
When you are ready to start that chapter, we are ready to help. Contact us at Pink Realty today and let us show you the neighborhoods and properties that make Colorado Springs one of the most compelling places to live in the American West.
