Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

Memorial Park is a large, versatile green space right in the heart of Colorado Springs. We enjoyed…read morea relaxing afternoon walking around Prospect Lake, which offers beautiful mountain views, especially of Pikes Peak. The paved paths are great for walking, biking, or rollerblading. There's a lot to do here--playgrounds for the kids, open areas for picnics or frisbee, and even a skate park and fitness stations. The splash pad in the summer is a huge hit with families. Some areas could use a little more upkeep, and parking can get tight during events, but overall it's a fantastic city park that brings the community together. Great spot for a casual day outdoors.

What a fabulous little park in Manitou Springs!! Great for events and just relaxing the area.read more

Helen Hunt Falls is not something you simply stumble upon. City slickers have to earn it a bit…read more Nearly three miles into North Cheyenne Cañon, the road leaves the city behind. Houses disappear well before the entrance to its mouth or rocky gates west of Starsmore Nature Center. Red granite walls rise closer, pine and cedar lean over the pavement, temperatures drop as the canyon wraps you in cool embrace. Helen Hunt Falls sits within a city park, but it never really feels like one. North Cheyenne Cañon is its own character. Intimate. Shaded. Winding. While the city feels far away, beware the tight hairpin curves and oncoming vehicles. In its own way, it is unique like South Cheyenne Cañon, home to the dramatic Seven Falls. Where Seven Falls dazzles with height and dramatics, this canyon offers its own closeness to stone, forest, and water. It is a place where the road slows, voices soften, and the canyon quietly reminds you how close wilderness can be to a city.

Super amazing quick little hike that you can drive up to near manitou springs with a good amount of…read morefree parking. The views from on top and bellow are spectacular and this is definitely meant for all ages. The twisty roads might be a little challenging for some drivers but it is definitely worth the drive if you can make it here!

Picture this: you stroll into Schryver Park, and suddenly, you're in a lush forest gym for ducks,…read morebeavers, and the occasional hover‐brunching squirrel. The park's pond is basically the Duck Hilton, with its VIP lounge area (aka the little island) You follow the winding trails past electric bike docks that seem to wink at you--"Hey, want to feel fancy today?"--and I half‑expected them to offer me a latte. Instead, I found picnic tables strategically placed for maximum people-watching potential: tweens fishing nearby, fitness enthusiasts flexing by the poolhouse, and retirees plotting world domination under a willow tree. And oh, the wildlife! Ducks quack like they own the joint, beavers drag their tails with purpose under the bridges, and squirrels perform acrobatic heists on unsuspecting sandwich crumb deliveries. By the time I left, I'd achieved zen, witnessed nature's soap opera, and wanted that gnome to fix my life. Schryver Park: where tranquility, wildlife theatrics, and accidental gym equipment meet for an absurdly pleasant afternoon.

This park is located just outside of downtown Manitou Springs, in front of the Schryver Park pool…read moreand gym. It has its own private parking lot that is free to park. It is a nice looking. There is a nice full basketball court that is semi fenced in and a little plaza area with a picnic table and a restroom facility. Next to the playground is where you will find a wooden ropes course structure with cargo climbing nets, pull up bars. The park also has an awesome lake. The lake circles a little plot of land and forms an island that you must use a bridge to get to. Fishing is allowed in the pond, but I am not sure if it is catch and release though. There is a bunch of green space with some benches and picnic tables to this park. The greenspace would be suitable for a picnic or playing catch. The trails feed into the much larger Creek Path which is a nice, paved path that runs along the creek. The park has a playground, that sits on artificial grass and consist of one piece of equipment, a jungle gym with slides, stairs, and spiral slide poles. It could beef up the playground equipment a bit if you ask me. But what little they have is neat and well maintained. It is a nice park that sits away from the city and gives you some peace. It appears to be well maintained and even though it is relatively small, it has a lot to offer. I recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

This is such a beautiful trail. Easy access, not a lot of people, wide trail space, and the most…read moreamazing views. Only downside is the construction on the 2 ponds next to each other. Both are currently gated & 1 is entirely dried up. Other than that, this is my favorite trail in Colorado Springs.

One of the many beautiful walking trails in Colorado Springs. I came here for the first time this…read moreweek for a sunrise hike to beat the heat and was sad that I haven't come here sooner. The terrain is nice and easy, but still options for elevation. There were beautiful wildflowers, reservoirs and views of the mountains throughout. It's located right by Cheyenne canyon. Gait was closed before 5am...probably opens at 5, but you can still park on the street and easily access the park.

Views of mountains, the amazing design of the art, the lawn to fly a kite, the unique free flowing…read moredesign of the bridge, all of these things should capture your attention and draw you in for a relaxing visit at the park! Paid parking but it's super cheap so show up and have a good time. You can thank me later because whenever you have friends or family visit Colorado, this will be a spot you start shuttling everyone to tour! There is also a museum which does have a fee so if you have extra time and a few bucks pop in!

Really beautiful park! Situated with Mountain View's in the back! You can walk from the Olympics…read moremuseum over the bridge to it or park alongside the park! It's free to explore. There are bathrooms available as well. The big circle is a fountain in the summer!

This is an amazing must-do while in Colorado Springs, NOT to be missed! I recommend starting early…read moreduring the summer. We did our self-guided tour and trail walk mid-morning. We started at the Visitor Center and spoke to the wonderful volunteers about recommended explorations. Digital and paper maps are available there but the road and the trails are also well signposted with maps throughout as well. Our hike with photo stops, a little bit of scrambling and a drive through the park as well as a visit to The Trading Post (cafe, ice cream and extensive gift shop) lasted about 2 hours so we ended about midday and were glad that we had an early-ish start. The main trail is paved with many optional and relatively short unpaved offshoots. The trail walk was an immensely enjoyable experience and we were indeed awed by these rock formations in this incredible setting! Thank you to the City of Colorado Springs for keeping this experience FREE to the public as promised to the original land owners. Visitors, consider a donation to be able to continue to share this wondrous area with all!

Millions of years ago, natural forces pushed massive sheets of red rock hundreds of feet straight…read moreup into the air, presumably because standard horizontal dirt seemed boring. Humans eventually discovered these giant stone slabs and named the location Garden of the Gods. The gods themselves left no forwarding address, but they clearly possessed a flair for dramatic architecture. In 1909, the family of a railroad executive named Charles Elliott Perkins deeded four hundred and eighty acres of this land to the City of Colorado Springs. They attached a single mandatory condition: the park must remain forever free to all people of the earth. In a world where people routinely attempt to place turnstiles around ordinary scenery, this legal clause remains a magnificent anomaly. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. Inside the main park, paved paths such as the Perkins Central Garden Trail allow our fragile bodies to walk among giant monoliths without tripping over tree roots. Famous formations with names like Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels sit silently against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. You can hike, ride a bicycle, scale the sandstone with ropes, or simply stand on the asphalt staring upward with your mouth slightly open. The entire landscape manages to remain accessible without feeling like a commercial theme park. The rocks are the main attraction, and they do not require artificial lighting, recorded sound effects, or ticket booths to command respect. If you spend a day in Colorado Springs, you will likely spend the rest of your life comparing every other rock formation on Earth to these red stones. Most of them will disappoint you.