We were originally going to do a family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and Mesa Verde (see my original thread here). Now we’ve decided there’s just too much driving, so we’re going to go to Colorado Springs instead of Mesa Verde to see Garden of the Gods, the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, maybe the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and anything else that looks good. We want to camp, but we’re desperately trying to avoid private campgrounds because they usually suck, in favor of state, National Park, or National Forest campgrounds. Does anyone have any recommendations?
I could also use some recommendations for other things to do (hiking, canoeing on still water, and other things 6 and 9 year old boys might like) between Estes Park and Colorado Springs (or even a little more south) as we’ve just found out we’re only allowed to camp for 7 nights max in RMNP, and we’ve got about 3 weeks to explore.
If it helps, we’re going from mid-August to early September. Thanks so much!
I like camping at the Lost Park campground, which adjoins the Lost Creek Wilderness, in Park County. It’s at the end of 19 miles of dirt road, I think there are, like, 12 campsites with primitive toilets, and there’s hiking and fishing and miles of wilderness to explore. It’s off of Highway 285, southwest of Denver. That’ll be a little far from Colorado Springs, but it’s a fun side trip if you want.
Explore the mountain towns of Breckenridge and Frisco for a day, just for fun.
Well, after just getting back from Durango, I’d say you have made a wise choice to going to Colorado Springs! Durango (which is about 45 minutes from Cortez and Mesa Verde) is pretty, but I think Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs are much prettier. Manitou Springs is a cool looking town, and Colorado Springs has, as you mentioned, Garden of the Gods, and fantastic views of the mountains.
For hiking, there is Red Loop Canyon, which is a workout, but the views of the area and Garden of the Gods are worth it.
I like the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, its a very nice zoo and the animals are well treated (I generally don’t like zoos) If you go, the Moutaineer Sky Ride is kinda neat, you get to go in a lift and view the animals from above. If you’re one for views and Will Rogers, the zoo also has a Shrine to Will Rogers built by a early 20th century local business man, and the views of the city, The Broadmoor, and downtown Springs are lovely.
Outside of the Springs, there is the Royal Gorge Bridge . Crossing the bridge is very cool, but nervewracking (at least for me). You can also take a ride down the bottom and view the bridge from below. I went in April, so it was pretty dead then, but when its summer, there are all kinds of things that kid might like to do, it has a petting zoo and white water rafting.
As for campgrounds, I don’t do much camping myself, but I know there are campgrounds at Garden of the Gods. http://coloradocampground.com
Thanks Tenner. I crossed Royal Gorge Bridge when I was a kid–I’d forgotten where it was. Does it still have that “No fishing from bridge” sign? I was disappointed about not going to Mesa Verde but I’m getting excited about Colorado Springs now.
When I was a sixteen year old kid I stayed in Manitou Springs. We used to hike over Mt Manitou and up to Pike’s Peak; then we’d hitch hike back down again.
The kids might like the Cog Railway. It looks great. snowmaster, if we’ve been in the Rockies and Colorado Springs for a couple of weeks before we do the trip, do you think the altitude would still be a problem? I’ll check out US-24.
I’m looking at the web at all the things to do around there; it looks really great.
There is a water pump onsite, yes, and there’s also a small “town” (really just a collection of houses with one general store) near the turn-off on 285 at which you could purchase bottled water.
Mueller State Park is maybe an hour or so west of Colorado Springs, and has a ton of hiking trails that would be appropriate for families. My wife and I camped there several years ago, and saw a good deal of wildlife (and waking up to gobbling wild turkeys was pretty cool).
It’s just a few miles north of the gaming town of Cripple Creek, where there’s a very cool gold mine tour at the Mollie Kathleen mine that’s great for families.
You’d also be very close to Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument; 99 percent of the fossils there are of plants, but the fossiled redwood stumps are pretty amazing (and the monument has some very accessible trails).
The last two options were always a lot of fun for me as a kid growing up in Colorado Springs.
Finally, if you do nothing else, stop for lunch and pie at the Dutch Kitchen in Manitou Springs. Great, homey atmosphere, delicious pastrami, and you’ll have to choose from about 15 different pies that are all out of this world.
Mmmm … pie!
Anyway, have fun. That area’s got a lot to offer young families – lots of stuff to see and do. You’ll love the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Cliff Dwellings, and the Cave of the Winds – lots of good memories at all of those places for me.
What about the May Natural History Museum? I’ve driven past it but never visited–for some reason, my traveling companions never want to stop. That giant hercules beetle beckons me, though…I need to go there someday!
Gordon Urquhart, you said “pie”! I love pie. That sounds fantastic.
I saw that there was camping at Mueller State Park but if it’s an hour out it might not be the best for a base camp for exploring Colorado Springs although it sounds like a great place to spend a couple of days. I also bookmarked the Gold Mine, the Zoo, the Cliff Dwellings, and the Cave of the Winds–I didn’t realize there was so much there.
The May Natural History Museum is worth visting. The nearby space museum is skippable - some model rockets and various space photos. (you could find better online)
The coin museum in town wasn’t bad, and the Olympic training center is also OK (both were cheap or free)