I wanted some vibes like Garden of the gods but did not want the crowds so I checked out Red Rock…read moreCanyon Open Space! I was really impressed with this open space. Parking was easy, they had plenty of spots while I was visiting. They've got something for everyone! Hiking trails, bike park/paths, rock climbing (permit needed), an off leash dog park. I specifically went for the hiking trails. They were great for my 4 year old. When I go with him I try to look for trails under 3 miles. My only complaint is I wish they had real bathrooms by the parking lot. The porta potty was pretty gross. P.s. you can see garden of the gods from this park! They are pretty close to each other!

Colorado is the healthiest state in the US (this is fact, you can look this up on the CDC website)…read moreand I can see why. With such amazing hiking available, that is free to residents and visitors, all over the state, it encourages you to get outside and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Red Rock Canyon Open Space has a series of canyons and ridges sculpted by erosion of the area's uplifted rock strata. The ridges and canyons offer beautiful views that are photo worthy for those wanting to post to their social media (or hey, just keeping these photo keepsakes in your own camera roll is also fine too). Red Rock Canyon Open Space is dog friendly, with some off leash areas (where noted), and 11 trails that you can hike. The trails are anywhere from 1.7 miles to 5.4 miles, with a lot of pretty easy trails for those that are not as active but still want to partake in the journey. You can also see views of Garden of the Gods, which is nearby. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is not nearly as busy as Garden of the Gods (but highly recommend a visit there too, which is also dog friendly). From May 1 and Oct. 31, you can enter Red Rock Canyon Open Space between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.; during the rest of the year, the park closes at 9 p.m. There is free parking available and also one porta potty at the beginning of the trail (but I did not use it) and also trash cans (I did not see trash cans anywhere else in this open space). My husband and I visited Red Rock Canyon Open Space with our little girl dog. We came on a Sunday afternoon, a little after 1 pm. It was an overcast day, which was nice. But it was rather busy but not crowded. We were able to find a parking spot without any trouble. We only did 2 light trails but enjoyed the views. The trails we had were pretty easy for the most part. We also did see a handful of dogs during our visit. Please note that there is hardly any shade so make sure you plan accordingly (hat to shade your face, plenty of water, etc).

The Manitou Incline is a hike near Colorado Springs, Colorado, featuring 2,768 steps climbing…read morenearly 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile, with grades up to 68%. The Manitou Incline is not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a serious workout with jaw-dropping views, this is the hike for you. What makes it amazing is panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the town of Manitou Springs at the top. The trail is well-marked, and the incline attracts a mix of serious hikers, runners, and tourists, which gives it a fun energy. Parking is a challenge as the lot was full and we parked in the town of Manitou Springs and walked about a mile to get to the incline. The website made it seem like the hike required reservations and there were not any available, so I was not sure if I was going to get to hike. However, once I got to the incline I was able to do the hike at my leisure. Whether you're looking for a bucket-list hike, an intense workout, or just a chance to experience Colorado's beauty up close, the Manitou Incline delivers an amazing experience.

Park at Hiawatha Gardens - $25 Parking for 4 hours and get free shuttle bus to the Incline. There…read moreshould be other better parking options, I think we're paying too much for that. Very steep steps, not many shaded areas for you to take a break. The view is okay, conquer the Incline is more on personal pride, not for the view. I don't think the view on the summit is awesome. there are few spot for you to bailout, 395 steps, 1300 and 1800. So, no pressure, just take the trail down whenever you feel like it.

Gorgeous canyon trail along a stream with small waterfalls and stream falls. Some climbing but…read morenothing too serious.

This is by far my most favorite hike in Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs. It starts out on the old…read moreexit road for Cave of the Winds.....before it was washed out permanently. **ALERT** In order to do this trail you have to go up to the Cave of the Winds to sign a waiver!! There is no cost, but since part of the trail is on their property you have to sign the waiver. The trail is shaded for most of the trail. The begining is the hottest part! You will see water falls and punch bowls. The trail can be difficult in some areas, but nothing kids 5 and up can't handle! If you need directions how to get to this trail, just let me know and I can give you turn by turn with street names!

This is a moderately trafficked trail in Manitou Springs that will bring you to some beautiful…read moreviews of the city and the Incline! The trail is somewhat short (unless I was missing something...), but it does hook up with other trails and apparently is part of the trails that circle Pikes Peak (cool! Adding that to my to-do list!) It's pretty steep in areas, so make sure that you bring plenty of water! I really enjoyed the hike on this trail, and it's a good alternative if you're not feeling up to Barr Trail or the Incline.

A tad hard to find since Google maps doesn't take u to the trailhead and it's not entirely easy to…read morespot for visitors but wow it's amazing! Not too long and we only went a short way but totally loved it. Not much traffic and saw a deer not far from trail. Beautiful overlook and creek

A must to visit while in Colorado Springs. The visitor center is kid friendly and has lots of…read moreeducational fun facts for kids. We took a 45 min guided shuttle tour, which was a perfect amount of time for kids! Lots of trails, I will try next time

The visitor center offers a good view of the Garden of the Gods from afar. It's two floors. At the…read morefirst floor, there's a theater that shows how the Garden of the Gods came to be. Though this is not free, it's worth checking out since the theater is small and you're surrounded by very big screens. The second floor houses the gift shop which has stuffed toys, books, shirts, mugs, rocks, and other souvenir items. The cafe and restrooms are also here. There's another part that has an exhibit of flora/fauna around the area. The Garden of the Gods is beautiful. The paths were very easy to follow. Came here in February; it was not busy but we heard that during peak seasons, it can get very crowded. This is definitely worth visiting.

We went to CO to visit family and experience the beautiful outdoors, and a Geological Hike, the…read moreVolcanic Gems Geology Hike, with Dr. Rox was our first excursion on the weekend. Dr. Rox was fantastic. Both my wife and I are teachers, and so we loved how academic the hike was as Dr. Rox would pause and explain the rock cycle, tectonic movement, or the birth of the Rocky Mountains. We were also delighted that our two teenage sons asked a bunch of questions and were obviously engaged in, not only the Geology lesson, but also the local flora and fauna. Dr. Rox answered every question, and, when she didn't know the name of a plant, she pulled out a trusty book and looked it up. She kept things light, but we definitely learned a lot as well. When we reached the end of the hike where the zeolite crystals had grown in the geodes, we climbed all over the rocks finding crystal after crystal. It was certainly an impressive site. We really loved both the scenery and our guide, and I would recommend this hike to anyone with any interested in geology. A big thanks to Dr. Rox for making our hike so fun and educational!

The overview summary of Trail Gems encapsulates it for me: "guiding you through the incredible…read morebeauty of Colorado's wilderness." I live in Colorado, but I do not appreciate its beauty enough. I also never knew the story behind the beautiful rock formations and natural landscapes I pass by everyday. Rox provides context and explanation for a natural history of the beautiful sights of Colorado. Rox is also very organized and thoughtful, making sure we had water, snacks, and umbrellas. We got to look, touch, break, and collect all different kinds of rocks in a variety of gorgeous locations. It was fun to explore and engage in a tactile activity. In our modern world where so much of our lives are spent behind screens, this was a truly relaxing yet exciting activity and exploration tour in the outdoors. It was creative and fun. I felt like a kid again!

I love this trail so much! It's a beautiful and perfect running or hiking loop conveniently located…read morein Cheyenne mountain. It offers beautiful views at the top after a tough climb and then a wonderful and gradual decline back down to a dirt road (also leads to trail 666) and then to the main road.

I love this trail! To do the whole loop it's about 6 miles. I've only done it counter-clockwise…read more So it starts with a good two miles of mostly uphill before you start a gentle downhill stroll through the woods. The trail is popular, but rarely packed. Great views. Wonderful workout or super chill walk, depending on how you feel like going.

We didn't stay here, but we walked over to the lounge from the RV Resort next door and I'm so glad…read morewe did. It was a Saturday night and there was live music. We ended up having great conversation with both the staff and the other patrons, the beer selection was great, and I'm so happy we stumbled across this place. Next visit to the area, we'll be staying here for sure!

A very cute boutique lodge like a cross between Meatballs, Bates Motel, and Halloween in a good…read moreway. Shabby Chic western on the exterior. Hipster interior. Martha Stewart landscaping and plants. We arrived at 3pm and at first weren't too impressed but it grows on you. Night time seems magical there, especially the pool and hammock area. We were there during shoulder season so it wasn't really busy but I can imagine peak season it's probably bumping. We stayed for 3 nights. Near the entrance there is a cool area that looks to be for live bands but I think could be more functional without pew seating. Like patio chairs, tables, heaters, full service brew pub. The rooms are clean but wish we had an indoor table and chair. Outside furniture ok but not after dark. No daily maid service but you can ask front desk for any supplies. Free breakfast was fine, especially for kids. There's a small bar area in the lobby with fireplace. It feels a little historic. We used the high capacity laundry. The free bicycles are only for riding on property or town, not Garden of God's. But they recommend awesome ebike company who delivered to our lodge! I assume most avid cyclists bring their own bikes. This town appears to be a cycling destination but there's plenty of activities to do in Colorado Springs. AC is window type, tv was a little small but the emphasis is character and convenience for bicyclists. There's hooks on the wall inside to hang 2 bikes. Perhaps the best part is being able to park for free right in front of your unit. The whole place is gravel road/parking lot and has at least 1 step to get into the room. The plus side is all single story and in clusters of 5 or 6 units. Fairly quiet not much late night noises. Good black out curtains. I imagine most people who stay here are fit and mobile, saw a cowboy and his dog and truck. Several families enjoying the bikes on property. I can imagine events, like a wedding there would be magical and super practical. I wonder if they have a full kitchen to do more. We didnt realize how central it is to both historic Colorado town and Manitou Springs. The map makes the lodge look far from the main road too but it's like 2 driveways in with direct access to Garden of the God's. They're on the verge of something great.