This is a fun park just behind the main street in downtown Manitou. There's metered parking, but…read morethat's the whole area there and it can't be avoided. There are some large rocks to climb upon in the back of the park that my kids enjoy the most and a wine tasting place at the opposite end. There are a few play structures and some large disc swings that get a lot of attention. I like to go by the creek and watch the water.

This is a little park located on the end of the strip in Manitou Springs. It has metered street…read moreparking around its perimeter and a small creek runs down one side of it. It is not a huge park but has enough to keep you busy for awhile. The have a decent sized pavilion with a stage, but it did not have any tables under it, so many local skateboarders were using it as a skate park. There is some playground equipment that includes some tunnels, a couple of saucer swings, a medium sized jungle gym with a bridge and slides, a very small net climber, some rocks to climb on and a Supernova spinning ring. The equipment looks to be in great repair and is spread out throughout the park. You will find a few small picnic tables here that do not have any cover and there are a few benches outside of the gate to sit on and watch traffic go by. The park seems to be well maintained and the flowing creek has a soothing type effect. This is a decent park especially considering that it is located in a tourist district. As a few reviewers have mentioned, the park usually has an urban camper or two, but they are harmless. This is a nice park to pass some time at if you are in the area, but i do not see anyone spending a lot of time there. This is definitely not a destination park.

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.

Cheyenne Springs was one of the eight in town, and one of the four we found during our walk through…read morea snowy March after exploring the town on foot. This spring, as well as all of the other springs in Manitou Springs, have been here since the 1900's or even earlier than that. Only recently have these fancy sculptures have been installed to preserve and memorialize each spring and possibly to elevate them off the ground and protect them. The water here tasted like a mildly carbonated salty drink. I tried to bring some spring water home with me to Hawaii to make cocktails with but went over the weight-limit for baggage so I had to dump the water out. Too bad, because the water had a high mineral content and some umami to it. This particular spring has a high sodium (445 mg/L), calcium (437 mg/L) potassium (67.8 mg/L) and magnesium content (76.3 mg/L) with other minerals. The other spring we found were the Shoshone Spring (not working, unfortunately), the Navajo, and the Stratton Spring; each Spring has its own unique history.

This is another nice natural spring located right off of the busy Manitou Springs tourist district…read more There is metered street parking available and there are paid lots nearby. The spring is right in the middle of the sidewalk. You can bring your own container and get some water straight from the spring. It is easy to get to and get water from. Cheyenne Spring is a natural, sweet soda spring, from limestone aquifers a mile deep and believed to be 20,000 years old and comes from the melted snow from the nearby Pike's Peak. That being said, the water has a very "unique" taste and is an acquired taste. It has a distinct and strong carbonated mineral taste. I could only take a few sips of it and check that box off and then I had to dump it. his place is definitely worth a quick stop to check off the box. Be sure to visit the other 5 springs in the area that are said to all have thier own taste, but please meter your expectations

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!

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.

The Mesa Overlook isn't just a pit stop--it's a postcard come to life. You pull over thinking,…read more"Okay, let's stretch our legs," and then boom--you're hit with this sweeping, cinematic view of the desert meeting sky like they've been pen pals for centuries. There's a calm up there. The wind has opinions, the rocks are sunbaked storytellers, and the air feels like it's been filtered through time itself. You can see for miles, and it makes your problems feel about the size of a tumbleweed. No admission, no crowds, just raw New Mexico beauty doing what it does best: showing off.

The sights aren't amazing but this is definitely one of the best spots to see the rock formations…read more Only 2 other cars parked here when I came on a Thursday afternoon.