Hidden Gems Near Colorado Springs

Post Topic: Unique Things to do in Colorado Springs

If you’ve been keeping up with The Postcard Traveler, you know that we took off on an epic 6 month road trip through the American West last year. With Randy working remotely and our lease in Dallas coming to an end, we decided to hit the road and experience a different pace of life for a bit.

Our first stop after leaving Dallas, was Colorado Springs, Colorado! We’ve both been through Colorado Springs before but never really stopped to explore the area.

There is so much natural beauty and wonder to experience in Colorado Springs. If you haven’t been, you should go! And make sure you see these epic spots.

Is your trip to Colorado Springs a part of a larger trip to Colorado? You may also like these articles:

10 Hiking Spots Near Denver that are Perfect for Spring

Epic Colorado National Park Road Trip

Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Winter in Rocky Mountain

6 Out-of-this-World Alpine Lake Hikes Near Denver

What to Pack for Winter in Colorado Springs

Winter Coat – A bought this super warm parka on Amazon last winter and have been able to use it on a few winter trips. It is SO warm, great quality, and an excellent budget option. It’s only $70! I have the dark green but there are many great color options.
Warm Hat or Headband – I love this warm & soft headband that keeps my ears warm but also allows me to still wear a ponytail. It’s also super cute!
Waterproof Hiking Boots – With all of the snow around Colorado in the winter, you’ll need a good pair of waterproof boots. If you’re planning to do any hiking, these are essential. These Columbia boots are a great budget friendly option.
Crampons/Spikes – No need to go slipping & sliding. I always carry these with me on winter hikes when there could be a snow field or ice patch to cross. They make me feel so much safer when I don’t have to worry about falling on ice. These are worth every penny.

Hidden Gems in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods

Ok, this gem may actually be one of the least hidden in Colorado Springs but that doesn’t make it any less amazing.

Situated right at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Garden of the Gods is made up of some incredible red rock formations. The red rocks with snow capped peaks in the background is definitely a sight to see.

When you visit, check out the Perkins Central Garden Trail to get an up close view of the rock formations.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is known as a little Garden of the Gods for its similar rock formations. But don’t let that fool you, it is also unique in its own way. It’s got a beautiful lake along one of the trails.

We hiked the Mesa, Greenlee and Red Rock Canyon Path Loop which is only 1.8 miles round-trip. The pond happened to be frozen while we were there, and Randy even adventured out onto the ice which made me hold my breath for a little.

Downtown Manitou Springs

Colorado is full of charming mountain towns, but did you know there’s one only 6 miles from the center of Colorado Springs? That’s right, Manitou Springs is easily one of the cutest and hippest mountain towns in Colorado. And it’s a must on your visit to Colorado Springs.

If you’re up for an epic physical challenge while you’re in Manitou Springs, check out the Manitou Springs Incline. It’s a 4.5 mile hike that climbs 1,922 ft in under a mile. We were able to see the trail from downtown Manitou Springs and were completely stunned at the sheer steepness of the trail. It really goes straight up.

Painted Mines Interpretive Park

Painted Mines is one of the most unique places on this list. The Painted Mines are yellow, purple, red, and gray hoodoos that was exposed due to erosion in the surrounding soil.

This park is located in the middle of the plains, only an hour outside of Colorado Springs. When approaching the park, all we could see were the vast grasslands and started to wonder if we were even in the right place. But after about a 1/3 of a mile on the trail, the grasslands opened up to some of the most vibrant colors visible on the rock hoodoos.

We spent about an hour and a half here just meandering around the trails that go in and out of the colorful hoodoos.

The rock formations are very fragile and are very susceptible to erosion and damage from foot traffic. So please stay on the trails to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.

Other Things to Do in Colorado Springs

Drive to the Summit of Pikes Peak

Located right in Colorado Springs, is one of Colorado’s most imposing 14ers. And this one you can actually drive to the summit.

When we visited Colorado Springs, we had just driven 13 straight hours and opted for activities that didn’t require more time in the car – but this is on our list for our next visit to Colorado Springs!

Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs

We walked right past this while we were in Manitou Springs but I didn’t get a picture. The Penny Arcade features many different games – both old and new and some you can actually plan for only a penny!

The vintage look of the arcade definitely catches the eye and is worth a visit!

Colorado Springs is home to many hidden gems and I hope you’re able to take the time to explore this part of Colorado on your own!

More Colorado Adventures

Looking for more things to do in Colorado? Check out these Colorado guides:

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