Garden of the Gods

Free, Iconic & Best in Summer

Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-acre National Natural Landmark operated as a free city park. More than 15 miles of maintained trails accommodate everyone from families pushing strollers on the paved Central Garden Trail to technical rock climbers permitted on select formations. Cyclists can access the park via dedicated lanes, and guided horseback rides depart from the park entrance.

Tip for your visit: Arriving before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. is strongly recommended in July and August, when midday parking lots fill quickly. Admission to the park and Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center is free.

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Pikes Peak – America's Mountain

Drive or Hike to 14,115 Feet

Pikes Peak is the most-visited mountain in North America. At 14,115 feet, it anchors the skyline of the Pikes Peak Region and offers three distinct ways to reach its summit in summer.

Drive: The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile toll road open daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. The drive takes approximately one to two hours each direction, depending on stops.

Hike: Hikers seeking the summit on foot have two primary trail options. The Barr Trail is a 13-mile route gaining 7,815 feet from the Manitou Springs trailhead – a strenuous, full-day undertaking suited to experienced hikers with proper altitude acclimatization. The Crags Trail from the north side is a shorter approach at approximately four miles round trip from the Crags Campground trailhead near Divide, Colorado.

Train: The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is currently the highest cog railway in the world and offers a round-trip journey of approximately three hours. Reservations are required and seats fill weeks in advance during summer – booking early is essential.

Tip for your visit: Weather at the summit changes rapidly year-round. Even in July, temperatures at 14,115 feet can drop to near freezing, and afternoon lightning is a serious hazard. Plan to be below tree line by noon.

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The Manitou Incline

One Mile, 2,000 Feet

The Manitou Incline is among the most searched hikes in Colorado and one of the most demanding short trails in the country. Built on the route of a former cable car line, the trail climbs 2,000 feet in less than one mile – an average grade of 45 percent with sections reaching 68 percent near the top. The hike to the top typically takes 45 minutes to two hours, depending on fitness level. The return descent follows Barr Trail rather than the Incline itself. Total out-and-back distance, including the Barr Trail descent, is approximately three miles.

A free timed-entry reservation system is in place from May through October. Reservations open 72 hours in advance and are required for all visitors. Parking is available at the Hiawatha Gardens Trailhead, with shuttle service running from nearby lots on weekends and holidays.

Tip for your visit: Summer mornings from June through August offer the best combination of trail condition and manageable temperatures. Bring water and expect the final third to be genuinely difficult regardless of fitness level.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

America's only mountain-side zoo

At 6,800 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holds the title of the highest zoo in the United States. It is home to more than 750 animals representing over 170 species, set into the hillside of Cheyenne Mountain with sweeping views of Colorado Springs below.

Summer is the zoo's peak season, when outdoor exhibits and animal encounters are fully active. The zoo's giraffe herd is one of the largest in any zoological facility in the world, and hand-feeding the giraffes on the open deck is a consistently top-rated visitor experience. The Water's Edge: Africa exhibit offers above- and below-water viewing of hippopotamuses and African penguins.

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United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

Catch the team spirit in Olympic City USA

The 60,000-square-foot facility sits at the base of Pikes Peak in downtown Colorado Springs and houses interactive galleries covering more than a century of Olympic and Paralympic history.

Exhibits are designed to be physically engaging regardless of visitor mobility. Adaptive technology throughout the museum allows guests of all abilities to simulate Olympic and Paralympic sport experiences, including sprinting, swimming and alpine skiing. The museum's collection includes thousands of artifacts, medals, uniforms and equipment.

Tip during your visit: Take a moment to enter your information and preferences as you enter the Museum. RFID tags on your lanyard will follow you through the museum and tailor your experience to highlight your favorite sports, athletes, hometown and any accessibility needs you might have.

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North Cheyenne Cañon Park

Discover Waterfalls and Canyon Trails

North Cheyenne Cañon Park covers more than 1,600 acres of rugged canyon terrain on the southwestern edge of Colorado Springs, entirely within city limits and free to enter. The park's most-visited feature is Helen Hunt Falls, a tiered waterfall accessible via a short, paved path from the lower parking area. Snowmelt keeps the falls running strong through June and into July, making early summer the most dramatic time to visit.

Tip for your visit: The Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center at the canyon entrance is open seasonally and staffed by naturalists who lead summer programming for families and youth groups.

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Ford Amphitheater

Live Music Under the Colorado Sky

The 8,000-capacity open-air venue brings large-scale concert programming to the Pikes Peak Region. Performances ranger by acts spanning rock, country and pop. Its second season, which began in spring 2025, features artists including Leon Bridges, The Black Keys, Beck, Cake and Dierks Bentley, alongside Colorado Symphony collaborations. The venue's summer calendar runs heavily from June through August, with shows typically scheduled on weekends and select weeknights.

Tip for your visit: For visitors planning a trip around a specific performance, checking the full schedule and booking tickets before arrival is strongly recommended – summer headliner shows sell out well in advance.

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Whitewater Rafting the Arkansas River

Cool Off with a Day Trip to the Royal Gorge Region

The Arkansas River, which cuts through the Royal Gorge roughly 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, is among the most rafted rivers in the United States. Multiple licensed outfitters operate guided half-day and full-day trips.

Peak water flows occur from late May through mid-June, driven by snowmelt from the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo ranges. July and August offer lower, warmer water that is better suited to families and first-timers; however, you can choose to embark on calmer floats no matter the time of season.

Tip for your visit: Several outfitters offer combination packages pairing a rafting trip with the Royal Gorge Route Railroad or the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

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