El Paso County, Colorado
Top Spots in and near El Paso County
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Divide, Colorado
Hike to Horsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks
4.87.6 mi / 1400 ft gainHorsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks can be found on the west side of Pikes Peak, so if you want to get away from the crowds and the city, put this trail on your to do list.Most of the trail runs through the forest, which makes this an excellent candidate for hiking in July and August when the summ...Read more -
Divide, Colorado
Snowshoeing to Sentinel Point
8 miSentinel Point is an appropriately-named 12,527-foot rockpile standing watch over the broad shoulder of the Pikes Peak massif. Rarely visited, especially in winter, you are almost guaranteed solitude on this high mountain snowshoeing adventure.Beginning at the Horsethief Park trailhead off CO Ro...Read more -
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hike to Mt. Rosa
4.83.7 mi / 1322 ft gainTo get to the trailhead start on Old Stage Rd. After 11 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 379. This is a 4WD road. A small/large SUV, or truck should do the trick, nothing too crazy though. Drive on FS 379 for 1.5 miles until you come to an open field on the right known as Frosty Park. Ther...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Creek Bottom Trail
5.04.1 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock Trail
4.98 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock / Creek Bottom Trail Loop
5.04.54 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Castle Rock, Colorado
Run the Challenge Hill
5.00.6 mi / 200 ft gainThe Basics: The Challenge Hill, or as I like to call it, the Mini-Incline, is a shrunken version of its big brother to the south in Manitou. However, don't let its relatively small 200 stair count fool you - this hill is a serious workout! Located in Philip S. Miller Park, just one minute off I-2...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hike Cheyenne Mountain
16 mi / 3400 ft gainThis trail starts out of Limekiln Trailhead in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This is a large, obvious trailhead with bathrooms and water. From the trailhead follow the Talon trails on flatter terrain for the first 3 or so miles until it starts to steepen and turns to Dixon trail. These first few ...Read more -
Cripple Creek, Colorado
Drive Gold Camp Road
4.35 miGold Camp Road is a road that begins near Bear Creek Regional park. As you drive up the winding road, the road will turn to dirt. Continue driving down the dirt road, turn the corner and BAM, you're hit with some mountain views that will take your breath away. As you continue to drive Gold camp r...Read more -
Florissant, Colorado
See the Stars at Florrisant Fossil Beds
While Florrisant is known mostly for its history and collection of fossils, it is also one of the darkest places in the Colorado Springs area. While the park closes daily at dusk, it has Night Sky Programs monthly which allows visitors to view the stars with the help of the Colorado Springs Astr...Read more -
Pine, Colorado
Fish Cheeseman Canyon
5.0Cheesman Canyon is considered one of the top fisheries in the world, and this stretch of the South Platte River is easily accessed at the Cheesman trailhead off CR 126 just Southwest of Deckers. There are tons of great fishing opportunities along this stretch of the river, but it does tend to ge...Read more -
Teller County, Colorado
Backpack to the Abandoned Skagway Power Plant and Ghost Town
3.510 mi / 1000 ft gainConstruction of the Skagway Plant began in 1899 and was complete in 1901. In 1965, 15 days of rain brought floods washing out a lot of the pipeline and other infrastructure. Fixing the power plant didn’t make sense and funds weren’t in place. The land was reverted to the government. The hike b...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Hike the South Rim Trail at Roxborough State Park
3.83 mi / 300 ft gainRoxborough State Park is one of the closest parks to the Denver metro area and is the perfect place to go if you're looking to experience the great outdoors without having to drive too far from the city.One of my favorite trails in the park is the South Rim Trail which takes you on an easy to mod...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Hike to Carpenter Peak
4.56.2 mi / 1171 ft gainCarpenter Peak stands at 7,166 feet above sea level. While that altitude might not exactly take your breath away, the views from the top certainly will. Starting at the Visitor's Center, the trail to Carpenter's Peak begins as a relatively flat, well-traveled trail. A little less than a mile into...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Walk the Willow Creek Loop
1.4 miRoxborough State Park is located on the outskirts of Littleton, Colorado. Boasting incredible red rock formations and abundant wildlife, it is the perfect place for a quick escape outside.The Willow Creek Loop connects to the two parking lots in the park, so it is impossible to miss. With only th...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Hike the Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park
4.82.3 mi / 100 ft gainThe Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park is a very easy trail that's perfect for those that want to enjoy the outdoors but not subject themselves to the rigors of climbing a 14er. This very well maintained trail is wide and flat and perfect for groups, families, or for taking visitors t...Read more