The Garden of the Gods is a public park and United States National Natural Landmark that was deemed a "fit place for the gods to assemble" by Rufus Cable, one of the two surveyors tasked with identifying a site for Colorado City in 1859. With its towering spires of red sandstone pitted against the incongruous greenery of its surrounds, Cable's inspired choice of name is an apt summary of the wonders that it contains. The jagged pinnacles, mammoth needles, and precariously balanced rocks strewn across the landscape are glorious monuments thrust upward, sideways and slanted by tectonic undercurrents, subsequently whipped by the wind into curious shapes. From the biological perspective, the Garden of the Gods is a remarkable merger of the vegetation typical of both highlands and lowlands creating a kind of chronicle of the evolution of planet earth. The land was bequeathed to the City of Colorado Springs by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins, who originally owned this parcel of land. The only stipulation was that it must remain “free to the entire world.” Riddled with nature trails and hiking paths, the Garden of the Gods is a popular spot for outdoor activities like horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking that is always free, in keeping with Perkins' wishes.
Spread across a whopping area of 789 acres (31929 hectares), the Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a popular city park that was converted from a landfill. The park is known for its spectacular canyons and rock formations. There are several trails leading to these natural formations and hikers often explore these well marked trails. Mountain biking is another activity that is enjoyed by many visitors at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Rock climbing can also be enjoyed at the park, but a prior permit is required.
The only nature reserve in the county of El Paso, the Cheyenne Mountain State Park boasts a series of diverse landscapes. It features vast expanses of rugged mountainous terrain, interspersed with pristine Colorado plains, that entirely span 679.8 hectares (1,680 acres). Brimming with wildlife, this is where one can spot the likes of black bears and prairie dogs, as well as birdlife that includes species like wild turkeys and golden eagles. Opened to the public in 2006, the park also features over 32 kilometers (20 miles) of beautiful hiking and biking trails.
A heavy indicator that this historical center offers an authentic experience can be gauged by the simple fact that it offers sarsaparilla as a beverage. While most such attractions focus on Colorado's "Wild West" days, this center, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, underscores the state's homesteading past with renovated buildings, including a Blacksmith shop, and characters in period clothing. Lectures, military re-enactments and a live 1880s baseball game are some of its educational features.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is a wildlife conservatrion sanctuary that aims at spreading awareness for wildlife and nature protection. The facility offers guided tours and trips to educate visitors about the significance of wolves, coyotes, foxes and other such creatures in supporting the ecosystem. They conduct different trips like kids tour, interactive tour, standard tour, feeding tour, and full moon tour. You can choose any tour of your preference, but it requires advanced reservations. The facility provides benches, and is handicapped accessible. It is best to read out their rules section on their website, before making a visit.
Cripple Creek and its surrounds have long been known as one of the most popular gold mining camps in the history of the United States; a heritage that continues to draw the interest of history buffs from around the world. Delve into the region's illustrious tryst with the Gold Rush at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Established in 1891, this vertical shaft mine extends 1000 feet into the earth. Closed for operations in 1961, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine now offers guided tours to visitors, granting all a rare chance to experience the life of a miner first hand. Descend 100 stories into the this subterranean world where miners toiled for hours on end, seeking to tap into the shimmering veins of gold still visible even today. A well-informed guide will take you through the evolution of mining and take you on a ride on one of the tram lines. You will also get to see a collection of minerals and gold ores sourced from various mines in the region. From June through September, the mine conducts tours every 30 minutes, while from September through mid-October tours leave every hour on the hour. Be sure to plan ahead so that you don't miss out on this intriguing experience when visiting Cripple Creek. If you're claustrophobic, however, you may find the ride down distressing.
The Garden of the Gods is a public park and United States National Natural Landmark that was deemed a "fit place for the gods to assemble" by Rufus Cable, one of the two surveyors tasked with identifying a site for Colorado City in 1859. With its towering spires of red sandstone pitted against the incongruous greenery of its surrounds, Cable's inspired choice of name is an apt summary of the wonders that it contains. The jagged pinnacles, mammoth needles, and precariously balanced rocks strewn across the landscape are glorious monuments thrust upward, sideways and slanted by tectonic undercurrents, subsequently whipped by the wind into curious shapes. From the biological perspective, the Garden of the Gods is a remarkable merger of the vegetation typical of both highlands and lowlands creating a kind of chronicle of the evolution of planet earth. The land was bequeathed to the City of Colorado Springs by the children of Charles Elliott Perkins, who originally owned this parcel of land. The only stipulation was that it must remain “free to the entire world.” Riddled with nature trails and hiking paths, the Garden of the Gods is a popular spot for outdoor activities like horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking that is always free, in keeping with Perkins' wishes.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is a wildlife conservatrion sanctuary that aims at spreading awareness for wildlife and nature protection. The facility offers guided tours and trips to educate visitors about the significance of wolves, coyotes, foxes and other such creatures in supporting the ecosystem. They conduct different trips like kids tour, interactive tour, standard tour, feeding tour, and full moon tour. You can choose any tour of your preference, but it requires advanced reservations. The facility provides benches, and is handicapped accessible. It is best to read out their rules section on their website, before making a visit.
Colorado Springs boasts off excellent parks and recreation spaces, the Fox Run Regional Park being one of them. This vast stretch of greenery features well-maintained lawns and lovely ponds. Blessed with picturesque surroundings, its on-site gazebo makes for an excellent venue for weddings and wedding photography. And, sports enthusiasts need not fret, as the Fox Run park has outdoor facilities like playgrounds, sand volleyball court and a horseshoe pit. You can also head here for a short day trip as it is equipped with separate picnic pavilions complete with charcoal grills. Be it your gang of friends or your family, the Fox Run Regional Park befits requirements of different age groups. For details, check website.
Spread across a whopping area of 789 acres (31929 hectares), the Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a popular city park that was converted from a landfill. The park is known for its spectacular canyons and rock formations. There are several trails leading to these natural formations and hikers often explore these well marked trails. Mountain biking is another activity that is enjoyed by many visitors at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Rock climbing can also be enjoyed at the park, but a prior permit is required.