An easy add-on to any Front Range trip, Colorado Springs packs a lot into a compact, affordable area.
Colorado Springs at a glance
| Signature sights | Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs |
|---|---|
| Best for | Families, first-timers, budget-friendly Front Range trips |
| Getting there | ~1 hour south of Denver on I-25 |
| Best season | Year-round; summer busiest, fall ideal |
What to do
- Garden of the Gods — a free city park of dramatic red-rock formations with easy trails, rock climbing, and Jeep and Segway tours.
- Pikes Peak — reach the 14,115-foot summit by the historic Cog Railway or the Pikes Peak Highway, and grab a famous doughnut at the top.
- Manitou Springs — a funky mountain town with mineral springs, shops, and the Manitou Incline, a leg-burning stair climb of nearly 2,800 steps.
- More — Cave of the Winds, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and the Royal Gorge Bridge an hour west.
Getting there & where to stay
Colorado Springs sits about an hour south of Denver on I-25, with its own airport (COS) too. It makes a great base for the Pikes Peak region and a budget-friendly alternative to the mountain resort towns.
Colorado Springs FAQ
Is Garden of the Gods free?
Yes. Garden of the Gods is a free city park in Colorado Springs, open daily, with no entrance fee for its trails and red-rock scenery. Guided Jeep, Segway, and climbing tours are available for a fee, and there is a visitor center.
How do you get to the top of Pikes Peak?
You can reach the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak by driving the Pikes Peak Highway, riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, or hiking the strenuous Barr Trail. The cog railway and highway are the easiest options and both offer summit views and doughnuts at the top.
Is Colorado Springs worth visiting?
Yes, especially for families and first-time visitors. Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Springs offer a lot of variety, it is more affordable than the resort towns, and it is an easy hour south of Denver.