COLORADO OUTDOORS: Colorado Springs

Welcome to our Colorado Outdoors section!

Here you'll find links and descriptions to popular outdoor activities you can do in Colorado Springs and beyond.

Whether it's land, water, air, or snow, we hope you find something fun to do--it's real purty out there.

Choose your own adventure, wear your sunscreen, and drink lots of water.

Time to get outdoors in Colorado!

Colorado Springs has no shortage of beautiful hiking trails. From short hikes in city parks to full-blown mountain trails, there is plenty to choose from. Trails are reviewed by challenge level:easy, moderate, and difficult.

Within a 1-2 hour drive of the Springs, you can be in Class V whitewater rapids, paddling ‘til your heart’s content. Read about our trip to Brown’s Canyon in Buena Vista, and learn more about how to raft the Arkansas river.

Have you ever seen 100 hot air balloons ascending simultaneously? It’s quite a sight. Learn about the Colorado Balloon Classic in Colorado Springs, as well as how to float away in your own private hot air balloon.

Colorado Springs is a mecca for rock climbers around the world. With Garden of the Gods’ massive sandstone walls, and an endless amount of geological formations to summit, the Springs is where it’s at for rock climbing.

Riding a horse and Colorado belong together. The rolling foothills in the background, the views of Pikes Peak, and you ambling along on Butternut. Horseback rides through the Garden of the Gods are available for all ages at Academy Riding Stables.

Want to try some Colorado fishing? The Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region have several beautiful reservoirs and streams stocked with trout and salmon, waiting for you. Or take a short drive west to try some Gold Medal Colorado fishing in the South Platte.

Imagine a race car screaming up a 14,000 foot mountain at speeds of over 100mph, taking hairpin turns at high altitude with no guard rails. This is the exciting reality of the annual PPIHC, America's second oldest motor sports event.

Colorado Springs has over 40 amazing golf courses, and is home to the 2008 Senior Open. Did you know golf is played in Colorado Springs 356 days per year? If summer isn’t enough, winter golf might be for you.

Colorado Springs shooting ranges offer both public and membership-required options in the Pikes Peak area for pistol, rifle, shotgun, clays and trap shooting. Dragonmans, Pikes Peak Gun Club, and Whistling Pines Gun Club are all in or near town.

See our full list of Colorado Ski Resorts or read more about popular resorts like Vail, as well as sleeper gems like Monarch Mountain and Wolf Creek Ski Area. Also learn about the Colorado Pass, Rocky Mountain Super Pass, and the Monarch Mountain Season Pass.

Snowshoeing is an easy, fun, and inexpensive way to experience Colorado outdoors in winter. Read our favorite picks for snowshoeing in the Springs and all over the state of Colorado. Don't miss our Snowshoeing Wolf Creek Pass update.