Colorado Springs is the most populated city in El Paso County, Colorado. With over 372,000 inhabitants, it is the 2nd most populated city in the State of Colorado.
Colorado Springs is located slightly east of mid Colorado state and 61 miles south of the State Capitol in Denver. At an elevation of 6,035 feet (1839 meters) Colorado Springs sits over one mile above sea level, while some areas of the city are much higher. Colorado Springs is located near the base of Pikes Peak mountain at the east edge of the southern Rocky Mountains. In 2006, Colorado Springs was selected by Money Magazine as the #1 Big City in “Best Places to Live”.
Colorado Springs Tourism
Most travelers in Colorado Springs are attracted to the surrounding natural wonders such as the famous Pikes Peak mountain. Colorado Springs has many hiking trails and national parks due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, making Colorado Springs a popular vacation destination for its beautiful scenery. With the Rocky Mountains nearby, Colorado Springs has also gained fame for its enormous rock formations and other geological features.
Colorado Springs Attractions
Pikes Peak mountain is one of America’s most famous mountains and one of America’s national treasures. Pikes Peak Toll Highway runs through Pikes Peak Summit House, Glen Cove and Crystal Reservoir.
Pikes Peak is home to a diverse and abundant combination of wildlife and plants. People have traversed Pikes Peak’s valleys and mountains for centuries searching for sport, natural beauty, education and enlightenment.
Approximately 6 miles from the tollbooth, you’ll come to the Crystal Reservoir. At Crystal Reservoir, you can pan for gems in the mining waters, take in the beautiful mountain and valley views, or rent a paddleboat and enjoy the views from the water. Half way through your hike, you can stop and take a break at Glen Cove. This will help you adjust to the high altitude while offering you the opportunity to visit a friendly restaurant and gift shop. As you continue your climb, you come across the Summit House, where you’ll come across a warm and cozy spot to enjoy world-famous high-altitude donuts, photo opportunities, a gift shop and the restaurant itself. For more info on Pikes Peak and hours of operation, call 719-473-0208.
Cave of the Winds in Colorado Springs
67% of the visitors to Cave of the Winds are repeat visitors and most of them say they will return again. When visiting the Pikes Peak area, we encourage you to stop to enjoy our hospitality for yourself. We welcome you and your family to come enjoy the perfect combination of relaxation, recreation, natural beauty, and history blended to create a vacation experience full of great memories and fun for the entire family!
Year after year, decade after decade, and century after century, water persisted against rock, leaving a crystalline trail of limestone sediments. As rock gave way to space, a cave was born. Cave of the Winds is an underground cave mansion full of rooms and passages, decorated with limestone stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone curtains. Often called Jewels of nature, these limestone formations took centuries to form and are preserved for all to view and enjoy at Cave of the Winds. Nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this magnificent and scenic cave system records over 200 million years of geological history. Informed guides will lead you through one of three different caverns while explaining how they were formed and their history as one of Colorado’s most marvelous natural attractions.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs
A visit to Pikes Peak is not complete without a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – the only mountain zoo in America! At this unique zoo, your family will experience unforgettable adventures, combining amazing mountain scenery with over 740 animals from around the world. This includes hand-feeding a herd of giraffe (the largest herd of giraffe of any zoo in the world).
From lions and giraffes to hippos, bears, monkeys, and penguins, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see over 30 endangered species like the lowland gorilla and Siberian tiger.
Here you can also come face-to-face with great apes, enjoy the children’s petting zoo, ride a 1920′s historic carousel, and see the most spectacular views of Colorado Springs all in a single location. Zoo admission also includes access to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last admission sold at 4 pm.
Admission: Children: $6.00 (3-11) Adults: $12.00 Seniors: $10.00
Directions: From I-25 exit 138, drive west, (Circle Dr. becomes Lake Avenue) towards mountains, and follow the signs.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the only certified public wildlife sanctuary in the state of Colorado. The AZA is America’s leading accredited organization that sets professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement by inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
Colorado Springs Casinos
There are multiple casinos just outside Colorado Springs. These are: Brass Ass Casino, Bronco Billy’s Casino, Deuces Wild Casino, and Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino.
Golf Courses in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Golf courses include: Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs, Shining Mountain Golf Course in Woodland Park, and Valley Hi Golf Course in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Amusement Park
Bigg City Amusement Park, located at 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Fishing in Colorado Springs
Angler’s Covey: Experience Colorado fun and adventure! Join Angler’s Covey for a full-day or half-day private water or corporate-guided fly fishing trip. All equipment, waders and fishing flies included.
Horseback Riding/Hiking in Colorado Springs
“Cowboy U” Colorado:
“Cowboy U” Colorado offers everything from a leisurely 1-hour trail ride (for guests of all ages) in the Pike National Forest to a 5-day pack trip in the Lost Creek Wilderness.
M Lazy C (Mule Creek) Ranch:
Here is a sampling of what M Lazy C (Mule Creek) Ranch can provide for you:
Horseback Riding
Hay & Wagon Rides
Cattle Drives
Chuck Wagon Meals
Cowboy Shooting Range
Carriage Rides
Pack Trips
Fly Fishing Trips
RV Sites/Horse Camping
Guest Cabins/Lodging
Group/Corporate Activities
Weddings
Colorado Springs River Rafting Companies
Canyon Marine Whitewater
Clear Creek Rafting Co.
American Adventure Expeditions
Arkansas River Tours
Bill Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Expeditions
Buffalo Joe’s Whitewater Rafting/Cottonwood County Snowmobiling
4 Corners Rafting
Adrift River Runners Rafting
Adventure Outfitters
Colorado Adventures/Wilderness Aware Rafting: Twice named “Colorado Company of the Year!” Rafting on 5 exciting Colorado Rivers including America’s most popular rafting river – the Arkansas River, located near Colorado Springs. Raft the Royal Gorge, the highlight of your Colorado vacation.
Rock Climbing Adventures in Colorado Springs
Gravity Play: Guided rock and ice climbing trips plus classes for your entire company party or family. Some rock climbing destinations include the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Canyon, and Red Rocks Open Space.
Pikes Peak Alpine School: Guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, avalanche clinics, backcountry skiing & snow shoeing, treking, alpine touring, expeditions, all ability levels.
Colorado Springs Scenic Tours
Adventures Out West Jeep Tours: Scenic Entertainment on Pikes Peak. Our Jeep tours explore the rugged south side of Pikes Peak via Gold Camp Road. Our informative guides will tell stories of the old west and show you the nature at it’s best.
Attic, The Old Town Tours: 150 Years covered in 90 minutes. Tour Old Town and experience true Wild West history. Learn Of Gold, Hidden Underground Tunnels, Local Characters, Ghosts, Saloons and The Infamous Red Light District.
Colorado Adventures 4×4 Jeep Tours: Immaculately maintained open top jeeps are the perfect way to enjoy the Colorado mountains. Choose a dramatic climb on 14,000-foot peaks or venture through scenic historic mining towns. Friendly and knowledgeable guides do the driving for you so you can take in the scenery.
Rockhound ATV Rentals: Ride a variety of Pikes Peak Area’s back country’s most popular trails with the best views in Colorado. From beginner to advanced, Rockhound ATV will direct you to a trail most fitting to your level of experience.
Colorado Springs Climate
Colorado Springs receives an average of 15.42 inches of annual precipitation. The average snowfall for the area (included in annual precipitation calculation) is 5 – 6 inches a month from Nov through Feb then jumps to 9.4 inches in March and 6.3 inches in April. The average January low is 14°F (-10°C) and high temperature is 42°F ( 5.5°C). The average July low is 55°F (12.7°C) and high temperatures is 85°F ( 29.4°C). The winters in Colorado Springs are relatively mild with large, yet rare, snow accumulations in the downtown area, and occasional sub-zero cold snaps and blizzards from the beginning of November to April.
Colorado Springs Vacation Rentals
Many who visit Colorado Springs prefer to stay in a privately owned vacation rental home or condo. A Colorado vacation Rental can offer a much more cost-efficient vacation over most hotels. This is because a vacation rental home can accommodate many more people than a hotel room and you can usually rent an entire house for about the price as a hotel room. Since all homes have a full kitchen, you can also save money on food by preparing your own meals at home. This savings can really add up when traveling with large parties or your family. So, for a low-cost, or even cheap Colorado Springs vacation your entire family will enjoy, consider a Vacation Rental instead of a hotel on your next Colorado Springs vacation.
