A few of our favorite FREE activities in and around Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Garden of the Gods is at the top of our list. We spent a lot of time in the park. You can drop off a donation at the visitor center, but there is no fee required. Short on time, take a drive around the park. It's worth it. There are a few parking lots scattered around the formations. We always park in P2. It leads to a paved path that wrap around the formations. (Yes there are bathrooms. Very important for us girls) For more info: https://www.gardenofgods.com/
Old Colorado City has a ton of shops and restaurants. We usually got ice cream and did a little window shopping. https://shopoldcoloradocity.com/
The Air Force Cadet Chapel is a marvel of architecture inside and out. It is open to the public for tours. https://www.usafa.edu/academics/facilities/cadet-chapel/
We love North Cheyenne Canon Park. There is a visitor center and the entrance of the park. (Go to the bathroom here. This is the only bathroom in the park except the porta potties at Helen Hunt Falls) From there the road follows a creek until you get to Helen Hunt Falls. There is a small parking lot the fills up fast. You can hike to the top of the falls.
The next parking lot you get to be much larger. It is the entrance to a variety of hiking trails. There is a 3rd parking lot farther up. The hiking trails from here seem to be more rugged. You can either drive back down or continue to Gold Camp Road. This is a very narrow gravel road that goes along the mountain side. Did I say it is very narrow? We made it fine in our ½ ton truck but do not attempt to pull a travel trailer down this road.
Colorado Springs is full of Open Spaces and Parks. Hidden gems sprinkled all over town. Here is a list of Open Spaces and Parks, they are all beautiful.
Manitou Springs has great shops and restaurants. My husband tried the mineral springs straight from the fountain. Hiking the Manitou Incline is very popular. We never made the climb. I prefer buying trinkets in the shops.
