We planned a camping weekend specifically so we could get an early start at Paint Mines. Hindsight, I would want to start a bit earlier even next time. We were on the trail at 8. Use sunscreen, wear a hat and bring water. The trails are well marked as are the areas that they are protecting from humans. My husband and I had a great time seeing all the formations. We started from the southernmost parking lot. Either lot works as a start point. The southern lot does not have bathroom or port-a-pot. We saw antelope on the drive there. Deer while on the trail as well as many types of birds. The wildflowers were blooming here and there and some cactus had flowers. Once we got back to our vehicle, we drove around to the overlook parking lot and did that vantage point as well. Highly recommend doing this as you get such a different perspective from being down amongst the formations and then seeing more of a composite from above. It is a worthy visit and hike. Be prepared for it to get hot, quick. Hence wanting an earlier start next time. Would do again! read more

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I wanted to try something new and something different and it was definitely worth the wait to try this out. It's a perfect walk. The views are spectacular!! It's definitely a must try if you're in town and want to try something different!! No dogs are allowed here that's the only downfall but other than that it's really good to experience! read more

The Paint Mine Interpretive Park was a really nice surprise. It's more of a walk than a true hike, which makes it easy and relaxed, but still very scenic. I went when there was a light layer of snow, and it made everything sparkle a bit. Super pretty and peaceful. The park is very much in the middle of nowhere, which adds to the quiet, calm atmosphere, but it's definitely something to be aware of before you go. Atmosphere: Beautiful and serene. Each section has unique rock formations and colors, and there are informational signs along the path that explain the history and geology, which makes the walk even more interesting. With the snow, it felt extra magical, but I can easily imagine how great it would be in the spring or summer too. Price: Completely free, which is a huge plus for such a unique experience. Crowd: There were a good number of people there, but it didn't feel crowded at all. Everyone had plenty of space to explore and enjoy the views. Transportation: You definitely need a car to get here it's a bit of a drive and not close to much of anything. There is a restroom on site, but it's very much like what you'd find on a hiking trail, so it's best to use the bathroom beforehand and bring hand sanitizer just in case. Overall Experience: I highly recommend visiting the Paint Mines at least once. It's fun, free, and a very laid-back activity. It's perfect for an easy walk, taking photos, or even having a picnic during warmer months. Overall, it's a beautiful and unique spot that's well worth the trip. read more

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Visiting Colorado and trying to make the most of my time. Went here today and it was really amazing. I did think there would be more colors, but it was still beautiful. We didn't walk the whole park as I get out of breath easily sometimes. It was pretty easy going down but a little bit of an incline coming back up. Definitely worth the trip. read more

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This was definitely one of my favorite and unique parks I've ever visited in Colorado. It is a bit of a drive but definitely worth it to see the natural beauty Colorado has to offer. You get several places to hike and explore the colorful caves and crevices of this park. Just don't climb on any of the rocks! read more

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This is an AMAZING state park in Colorado. Only note to say up front: I came on Fri 9/6/25 and it was SOOOO windy and COLD. I was tremendously underdressed, and the ripping wind was making my nose run and eyes water. Nevertheless! This park is a lovely place to walk around or take pics (in fact I saw a couple taking what looked like engagement photos here, and I KNOW they're gonna turn out amazing. The formations are incredible and so very colorful to look at, plus the surroundings are so idyllic, peaceful, and green. If you walk the entire park it's actually several miles since most of the trails wrap around or form loops. It is about 1 hr drive outside of Colorado Springs, and the only bathroom I saw was a single stall toilet with no sink (only hand sanitizer, like in a national park). There was a gravel lot for a good part of the drive off the main road, and the lot is also a gravel lot. It's got plenty of space, though. Def would rec a visit if you're trying to take in the sights in and around CO springs, this park is super cool! read more

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First off it's a drive but absolutely worth the hike! The mines are so cool and the colors and insane. You can even climb inside some of the caves here for the best photos. read more

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I found out about this place through a book that I got called 50 hikes with kids Colorado. As someone who is a mom to a 1-year-old and 3-year-old I definitely agree that this is a great hike to do with kids! It is also nice because it is one you can do all year long! I like to often try to do the hikes outside of the mountain areas in the winter since I can still bring the whole family and they don't need any special gear. This place felt like a natural playground. My kids were absolutely obsessed with exploring the area. It is such a unique hike. The colors of the rocks are very beautiful. I think it is worth going a bit out of your way to see! It was not very crowded either. One thing to be aware of is that it can get muddy and icy during the wintertime. As long as the conditions aren't muddy you could bring a stroller the paths are wide! No horses, bikes, or dogs allowed on the trail. read more

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One of my favorite prairie hikes ever! I've been on many peaks, rivers, hikes throughout Colorado, the unbelievably natural vibes and energies of the Paint Mines leaves one for wanting to spend many hours here, walking, hiking, taking a picnic, taking in the quietness of the prairie where wind and water have both cut through the land to create a magical wonderland of ancient rock formations. If you've never spent time in the prairie, you will be greeted by a feeling of timeless natural energies that emanate from the earth, the skies, the winds and the peoples who have lived here and criss crossed the native lands for many, many generations. Very highly recommended. read more

Was genuinely so unimpressed. Every part of this place you actually want to see is blocked off or closed off... also I really love that. They claim that this happened over the course of 55 million years, but somehow me walking on anything but the path will cause severe erosion. read more

This is a pretty unique park. I haven't ever seen anything like it in my life so I'm glad I went. It's quite a drive from Co Springs though. It isn't a very large park but still requires a good bit of walking. It's a half mile to get to the entrance from the parking lot. There are options to take a few trails around the area. It's in a rolling plains grassland area that was a gorgeous and peaceful drive. While it's unique it was a bit underwhelming compared to some of the larger parks around Co Springs. I am not upset I went but it wouldn't be a place I visited again. We'd already done everything else on the itinerary and this was free so it was okay. I just wouldn't skip any of the main attractions in town to see this one. read more

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It's is about and 1.5 hour drive from north Denver so, we wanted to make it worth it. We arrived on a Sunday which according to the staff that was at the entrances of the paths, Sunday is the busiest day. You can select multiple hike options. We chose the short loop into the longer loop but if you just want to see the mines you can walk right from the parking lot. The staff was also in the mines and shared some information with us about the history. It was definitely cool to see but, kind of a far way to go from Denver for the short time it takes to walk through them. read more

Paint Mines Interpretive Park - Paint mines - Parks Near Me - Calhan, Colorado

As a yelper friend put it, very kid friendly. The grade of the hike is beyond gentle and easy. Like Kansas plains easy but you still have the benefit of being in Colorado. The West is full of unique single day worthy discoveries. This park meets the requisites. Very enjoyable, easy to reach from the Springs and unique. read more

Don't trust AllTrails on this one, as it's really outdated. Unfortunately, lots of areas are closed due to revegetation growth or other issues. The parts you can actually explore are pretty cool. Not sure we'll come all the way back, but it's a pretty easy, family-friendly trail. There is one picnic table near the bathrooms at the main parking lot. read more

Paint Mines Interpretive Park - Parks Near Me - Calhan, Colorado

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Absolutely check it out! It was really fun to see everything. We got there around 10am and the parking lot still had plenty of space. The path is gravel as well although I do recommend shoes with grip since there are muddy spots still. There is no real shade on this path at all so come prepared. The scenery is truly beautiful though. read more

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We hiked around here for a few hours and it was a quick drive from COS. It is definitely worth the drive to spend some time here. I walked all of the major loops and around the main formations. The trails are easy and low-stress/low-intensity. I recommend parking by the main formation and walking the trail down into it (you'll see two paths on the maps that dead-end: those are the two you want to do). This is the fastest way to see the most colorful and entertaining parts of the park. As you walk around, you'll see stone millions of years old layered in different colors. The crumbling pieces turn into a lot of pillars, wavy designs, and what look like (but I wouldn't call them this) miniature caves. There's a lot of interesting geometry in there highlighted by the natural colors. There weren't many animals when we were there, but weI did see a few caterpillars, random bugs, rabbits, and birds. If you run to the rear-most loop (which I don't recommend, it wasn't worth the walk) you can see 2 smaller formations with a lot less color. The highlight of this walk, which added at least a mile, was there were some birds making R2D2-type sounds where there were no trees: they were hiding in the grass, almost taunting you as you pass by. We also walked from the main (the first one coming in from the town) parking lot to the main formations, but there wasn't much to see for that leg of the walk. It was a good trail though and had some decent elevation changes. There was another back loop that maybe had one formation, but we didn't walk that. The park is well-kept and I hardly saw any litter. The worst part was there were people walking all over the formations, even though the signs clearly state not to and that they are fragile. Even the trails that went directly through the formations were closer than I expected them to be, almost inviting people to walk everywhere. They had some bathrooms, but they are the basic hole-in-the-ground type that usually intimidate or gross out small kids. No bikes are allowed. read more

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Finally made it to Paint Mines today on Father's Day (2021). Have heard so much about this place for years. What took so long was I had kept asking myself. Well, while I wasted my time by making all kinds of excuses as to why I hasn't go there sooner I had a sigh of relief now that I was able to scratch one of the things off of my big bucket list. I had always imagined that this place was in the middle of a desert. I was surprised to find it being surrounded by lots of green however. Yes, like others have commented about it, this place is not shaded so if you go there during the warmer/hot months make sure to bring lots of water. If you park at the main parking lot, you have access to most of the major points of interest as they are accessible on foot (only if you don't mind walking up to two miles one way.) I only spent one hour in the park (from about 9am to a little past 10am); that was all I needed to see about 60 to 70% of the park. With that said, you only half day for a nice outdoor experience in this one of the hidden gems in Colorado. read more

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New year means new places to explore! Luckily in Colorful Colorado we have roughly a billion at our disposal. I'm not experienced doing snowshoe hikes, so I wanted to find an easy spot to walk around, breath in fresh air, and see something cool. Paint Mines checked those winter boxes! You drive up to the entrance of the park via a bumpy, dirt road (like most awesome spots in Colorado). Cars weren't allowed in the lot, but you could park next to it on the sides of the main road. There is, in fact, a single use bathroom, Just don't get your hopes up, this isn't the Ritz Carlton. There are two routes you can take, which lead to the same place. When you come to the fork, make a right, not left like we did. Not the end of the world, but not much to see sans two descriptive signs speaking to the archaeology and ecology of the park. Learn from my blunder, go right and you'll start seeing the cool stuff much more quickly! There they are, painted mines. I've never seen anything like them before. The colors are remarkable. When you step back to get an aerial view, seeing the straight flat lines of different colors are something to behold. The cool thing is you can get up close and personal. There are various NO CLIMBING signs, though it's often unclear what you can or cannot climb. It was a nice day (high 40s) so we walked the majority of the loop. If it was summer, I'd skip the walk since there's zero shade and there's not much else to see. Would totally recommend coming here and seeing the mines for themselves. Without question, one of the more unique spots I've been to! read more

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Great place to explore nature! Lots of different colors , paths and cool views. Open area with little shade so bring a hat. read more

Paint Mines Interpretive Park - Looks like Groot did a face plant .. - Parks Near Me - Calhan, Colorado

On our way home from a week in Colorado, we stopped here, and it was so worth the couple miles out of the way. Wonderful rock colors and formations. It's a bit of a hike at roughly a mile and change tonsee it all, but our 14 month old twins held up great. We were able to take a little break from driving, had a picnic, and saw some wonderful sights that this amazing planet of ours has to offer! read more

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Last year, we took a trip down to Colorado Springs to celebrate our anniversary. After perusing the magical Instagram, we stumbled across some incredible photos of a place we'd never heard of - Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Wild streaks of color ran through the rocks, photos of windblown dresses covered the page and we knew we needed to check it out. The Paint Mines are 37 miles from the center of Colorado Springs, and seemingly in the middle of nowhere. We drove through fields of windmills that spun wildly in the racing wind, which made for a bit of a dizzying navigation. Once we got to the parking lot, we pulled on our jackets, tightened the hood strings and hiked about an eighth of a mile until we could see the spectacle. It's a lot smaller than the angles of the pictures online make it appear, but still absolutely stunning. Bands of pinks, purples and rusty oranges weave through the clay - originally used by the American Indians in the area to create paint. There were a handful of Instagram influencers there, aiming for the best shot, as well as a few photographers undoubtedly capturing engagement photos over the cliffs. We wandered through the canyon, enjoying the reprieve from the blistering winds, and explored the colorful nooks and crannies for about an hour until we felt like we had absorbed as much beauty as we could handle with the temperatures as low as they were. The lack of crowds was pleasant and, though the space was smaller than anticipated, the dazzling saturation of color made it worth the trip. read more

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Paint Mines Interpretative Park is wonderfully other-worldly. It begs to be seen! An easy day trip from Denver - some of the roads close to the park are dirt and heavily grated. Many visitors arrived via AWD/4-wheel drive - though it is doable without. Whatever the vehicle type, a car wash might be needed after. There is more than one parking lot for the park so don't worry if the first one is full - in fact, the second one is a shorter walk to some of the most impressive views...but doesn't have a restroom. Only the first parking lot has a restroom. Tips: 1. Brimmed hat 2. Sunscreen 3. Plenty of Water 4. Fuel up before hitting the dirt roads...it's a bit remote with fewer amenities closer to the park 5. Charged phone/camera for taking photos We had a wonderful first-time experience at this park and would return in a heartbeat! If you're on the fence about whether to go, just do it! read more

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If you weren't specifically looking for this place you would completely miss it as it's surrounded by prairie and you have to hike in a bit from the parking lot before it comes into view, but OMG once it does, it's beautiful and only gets better the closer you get to the rocks! We were limited on time so only spent a couple of hours here, but I could have easily spent longer exploring the numerous crevices and walking paths. Well worth a visit. read more

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Paint mine Finally made it here and it was just as amazing as I thought it would be. It took me a while but I finally can check this off my bucket list. Clay deposits over 55 million years ago and evidence of humans being there at 9000 years ago. Stay on the paths and don't climb, have some rspect for preservation. We went in the off-season it was a beautiful day and there is hardly anybody there, it's very unusual to go to any place in Colorado with such few attendance. It was a Great geologic experience. I WOULD recommend the drive. It's just another beautiful place to explore in this beautiful state. read more

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Cool park! Not too many crowds in the snow and also we got to see the rocks eroding and turning into clay. Definitely bring/wear waterproof shoes because it does get wet. Cool rock formations and multiple parking lots to see each area. read more

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The Paint Mines is a fun place to go if you have never been before. Parking is not very big, but there is just enough room for every visitor that shows up because it doesn't seem to get too busy. The day I went was pretty hot, so a hat, sunscreen and water are a definite must. There are many signs around that tell you to not climb on the rock formations as it can damage the color of the hoodoos. We did see a couple sitting on top of one, which they obviously had to climb up and were having a picnic. Like really? Don't be that person that blatantly disprespects the rules. There are also signs that state dogs are not allowed down on the trails. There are a couple of trails that you can hike, which aren't too long or strenuous. There's some great views of the hoodoos up close and from afar. And overall it's just a really cool place too see and hike. read more

Decided to go off the beaten path while my family is in town due to world events. Came across this place on some Denver day trip recommendations. I had never heard of it and neither had anyone else I asked. Thank you to all the Yelpers for their guidance. Yes, you go through a unpaved dirt road the last couple miles - it almost looks like it's through a residential farm area and if you think you are going the wrong way, it's probably correct. Also facilities are limited, so stop on the way if you can. Signage could be a bit better but once you do find the place, it's such a gem. I will reiterate what other have said, the first parking lot is the best way to grab the trails, the second one is best for the overlook. The main trail is a short gradual incline but nothing too strenuous for anyone reasonably healthy. My 60-something year old mom from the flat Midwest who walks a lot but has arthritis managed to make it (albeit at her own pace). Once you get to the main part of the park, it's flat but sandy - I wish I brought a spare pair of shoes. Temperature was in the low 70s and it was sunny but I felt comfortable in jeans and a short sleeve top despite the lack of shade; your mileage may vary. Take a lot of time here to walk around, some of the best views and colors are a bit further out but worth the walks. Other than the confusing directions, and lack of proper facilities with running water, I don't have any complaints! A great way to spend a morning outside of Denver. read more

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Just a heads up no dogs allowed. Easy hiking with some really beautiful views. The volunteers their are really knowledgeable about the mines. Took us about two hours to walk through it differently work a trip. read more

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Such a special and unique place! Paint Mines is certainly off the beaten path; we'd visited Colorado Springs a few times before but only recently heard of this park. The trails are fairly flat and easy and provide a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of more well-known Colorado Springs attractions. There is absolutely no shade, and I imagine it gets quite toasty in the heat of the summer - be sure to bring a water bottle and sunglasses/hat. Neat place to spend a half-day, if you're in the area. and please obey the signs - don't climb on the hoodoos, so many people can enjoy them for years to come! read more

Paint Mines Interpretive Park - Paint Mines - Parks Near Me - Calhan, Colorado

Great place for hiking and photography! Beautiful scenery and great view of rocks and landscape! read more

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A unique and different park to visit. It is about 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs and well worth the drive! When you start walking in it doesn't look like much. In my head I was wondering if it was going to be a bust and waste of our time, but once you get in there, it's beautiful!! It isn't a very far hike to get to everything and it's not large. So it can easily be tackled in not too long and won't be strenuous for anyone. This is with a visit and definitely has some awesome photo ops. There were many people there who appeared to be doing a photo shoot. read more

First park in the over look parking lot. It's the second lot. This will save you walking up extra incline. Bring a water bottle. Beautiful walk!! PLEASE don't climb on the rocks!! read more

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Paint mines is such an interesting and still not too insanely crowded place to go to and explore on a nice weekend. Even if you're not able to make it there at sunrise or wait around till sunset, it's still worth it as the colors are very vibrant regardless of time of day. Plenty of parking at the entrance to the park. There's a restroom at the entrance that didn't have any toilet paper left when we got there (around 10 am) so take some napkins or tissues with you! My only complaint about the park is half the people who come here do so with their kids and some even with their dogs, even though the latter isn't allowed and there are signs posted at the entrance to the park that are just ignored, unfortunately. When we were there we saw at least 3 dogs, one of them wasn't even on a leash... I mention the kids only because it is most often the kids who end up climbing the structures and walking on sections that are off limits (and again signs are posted about this everywhere and ignored). With that said, several adults also ignored all posted signs and were jumping up and down the frail structures... Honestly, it was upsetting. But if you're able to ignore all the ignorant and obnoxious people, their kids and their animals, then it is indeed a lovely place to visit and discover. Hence the 4 stars instead of 5. read more

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Something free and beautiful to do. The hike is not too bad but does have some inclines. I recommend parking at the second parking lot not the first if you want to be closer to the mines. We went December 26, it was very windy and cold I recommend boots, a coat and other warm items if you go around this time of year. There are no bathrooms here just incase anyone wants to know! read more

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Being a Colorado native I am a touch embarrassed that I had no idea this place existed. I heard about it from a work colleague and put it on one of our weekend schedules. It is a really pretty drive from Denver as you head east of Colorado Springs. The day we went was muddy and of course I didn't wear the best shoes. Regardless though it was a fun time. The sandstone hoodoos are a mild hike to get too. We are rules followers and as such didn't get as close to the structures as some of the on line photos show. It was a bit aggravating to see people walking on top of the hoodoos, letting a dog run all over them when the rules specifically and repeatedly state to not do either. The short story is that if everyone does that, we will lose the natural beauty of these hidden gems! read more

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Just WOW! This is such a fantastic area on the Colorado plains to spend the day hiking. Nothing too strenuous, but with a bit of a challenge if you're looking for it. ++ Free admission. Always a plus. ++ There is a vaulted toilet at each of the parking lots if you must use it. ++ The formations (called "hoodoos") are so cool! Tons of color. ++ I love a place where you can get lost and the Paint Mines def allow you do that. ++ There's so much to see! We were here for close to 4 hours and feel like we barely scratched the surface! +/- Not really a challenging area to hike. It features several different loop trails and a couple out-and-back trails for some quick scenic overlooks. Great for those not wanting anything too difficult. -- Very little shade along this hike! So if you choose to venture out during the summer, you are def going to want to bring sunscreen and a hat! With Colorado winters being as "bipolar" as they are, I'd advise wearing layers! We were fine during our January visit in the sunny areas, but once we ventured into some of the formations and caves the shade got cold quick! We're def going to be back for another day of adventure and pictures at the Paint Mines! **Pro Tip: Don't be "that guy" and climb on the various rock features! There is plenty of signage warning you against it. Help preserve nature! Don't be the one to ruin it. read more

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The views here are so beautiful! At first it doesn't look so colorful and you can't can't see the painted rocks but once you walk the trail you can see the beauty ! I took a lot of great pictures with my family and honestly the pictures don't justify what you see in person! Will definitely recommend anyone to come here ! read more

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We were unsure of whether or not to visit the Paint Mines due to mixed reviews, but we were definitely glad we went. The colors were absolutely beautiful! It's incredible that this area exists surrounded by farmlands. It was about an hour drive into the middle of nowhere, and the parking lot is off a gravel road. There is a short walk until you actually see any of the colorful formations. We walked down into the formations, but there is also a loop around the top that overlooks down into the formations. I would not consider it to be a strenuous walk. We went in August, so it was a pretty warm day. I'd recommend bringing water. There is a bathroom near the parking lot, which was relatively clean. read more

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Loved our quick day trip down here! The views are beautiful all along the trails and the paint mines are breathtaking! It was quiet and not too crowded when we went. It is a smaller park but worth it to see something unique. The trails are super easy, wide and mostly flat (some slight hills). It's funny, so many complaining about rough, long trails to get to the mines... well yes it is still a nature park with hiking, not everything will be right in front of you. The paths are also well maintained. Very simple-definitely not as strenuous as hiking in the mountains. Also, our hike from the south lot was 0.7 of a mile to the main, center of the paint mines. Many sections of the trails were 0.2-0.4 of a mile. And others saying bring a water bottle-isn't that what you should do when hiking anyways? That's part of it... Also the roads to get there are typical dirt roads. Sorry city folks, this is further East. Not everything is paved. The roads are about a mile or two off a paved highway-nothing crazy. If my Ford Focus can make it so can your cars. No need to drive 5mph on them. It's small and a further drive but a nice, beautiful, scenic park with light hiking. Perfect for a half day trip. read more

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Windy. Parking on premise w/porta where parking lot is located. You have to walk a bit to get to the site. This is a complimentary experience (no parking fee) and there were volunteers there that were able to talk about the history and answer questions about the place. Very nice visit and easy to find. Def recommend if coming out early in the morning/passing by. There are diff hikes/trails you can experience but after a while, the paint mines themselves may start to look the same. I still enjoyed it. read more