Travel Guide for Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Area

Colorado Weekend Getaways

Colorado weekend getaways are a great way to experience some fun and relaxation if you don’t have time for a week or two vacation.

Colorado Springs has great options, always offering plenty of things to do, from shopping to restaurants to its many attractions.

And if you’re willing to drive a couple hours out of town, there are many unique opportunities for a Rocky Mountain escape.

Here are some ideas for excellent Colorado weekend getaways…



JUMP TO THESE WEEKEND GETAWAYS:

Colorado Springs - Front Range B&B
Green Mountain Falls - Cabin Escape
Mosca - Great Sand Dunes
Continental Divide - Mountain Retreat






“FRONT RANGE BED & BREAKFAST”
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO


Colorado Weekend Getaways - Colorado Springs

If you’re looking for a bed and breakfast experience in the Pikes Peak area, the Cheyenne Canon Inn is a great choice. With themed rooms and a patio overlooking Cheyenne Mountain, this B&B is a nice place for a romantic weekend away or even to have a gathering of friends or family.

Highlights:

  • 1930’s Style Inn with mountain views
  • Nearby parks with hiking, biking trails
  • Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
  • Seven Falls waterfall in box canyon
Besides the wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening, and gourmet breakfast in the morning, the Cheyenne Canon Inn is especially cool because it’s so close to so many attractions.

Just up the road is the famous Seven Falls waterfall, where water cascades down seven separate steps in a natural box canyon. You can also take an elevator up to the “Eagles Nest” for soaring views, or feed the trout in their pond.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is also nearby, the only mountain zoo in the USA. Hand-feed a herd of reticulated giraffes, watch the monkey acrobatics, or study the majestic mountain lions. All on a mountain!

The North Cheyenne Canon Park is also only moments away, offering miles of hiking and biking trails, all of which have high-altitude views of the forests, Pikes Peak, and Colorado Springs. One of our favorite Colorado weekend getaways.

***

Cheyenne Canon Inn
2030 W Cheyenne Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
800-633-0625

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719)633-9925

Seven Falls
2850 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
(719) 632-0765

North Cheyenne Canon Park
2110 North Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 385 5940







“CABIN ESCAPE IN THE FOOTHILLS"
GREEN MOUNTAIN FALLS, COLORADO


Colorado Weekend Getaways - Cabin Rental

The best Colorado weekend getaways, in our opinion, should involve mountain views, and lots of access to wilderness and wildlife. That’s why we love the Mariposa Cabin in Green Mountain Falls, just 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs.

Highlights:

  • Rustic Cabin
  • Town Swimming Pool
  • Hiking Trails
  • Nearby State Park
  • Close Proximity to Pikes Peak
  • Creekside Dining
Mariposa Cabin is a charming little cabin rental up in the foothills, but not so remote that you feel too far away. You can grill out on the deck, listen to the nearby waterfall, and go hiking on trails just up the road.

Within a few minutes walk, you can be swimming in the town pool, soaking up the Colorado sunshine as you stare at the majestic foothills.

Within a 10 minute drive west, you can be in “the city above the clouds” Woodland Park. Grab some breakfast at The Hungry Bear and make your way to Mueller State Park near Divide, where the views of the mountains go on forever.

If you want to be on top of the mountain, the Mariposa Cabin is in very close proximity to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which will take you up to the 14,110 feet Pikes Peak summit. Now that’s a getaway.

The Wines of Colorado is also a few minutes from the cabin--a fun/romantic restaurant because of the outdoor creekside seating. You might even see some wildlife by the creek. Make sure to taste a few of their famous Colorado wines at the wine-tasting bar. We liked their honey and cherry wines, and they’re always getting new stock.

***

Mariposa Cabin
Vince and Nadine Guthrie
(719) 633-1524

The Hungry Bear
111 E Midland Ave
Woodland Park, CO 80863
(719) 687-5912

Cog Railway
515 Ruxton Ave
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
(719) 685-5401

Wines of Colorado
8045 W. U.S. Highway 24
Cascade, CO
(719) 684-0900





“GREAT SAND DUNES GETAWAY”
MOSCA, COLORADO


Colorado Weekend Getaways - Great Sand Dunes

Our favorite of these Colorado weekend getaways is definitely a trip to the Great Sand Dunes. Three hours southwest of Colorado Springs, the Sand Dunes could also be a nice day trip, but why not spend the whole weekend?

Highlights:

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park
  • Creek at base of the Dunes great fun for kids
  • Lodging with a view of the Dunes
  • Hummingbirds outside your patio
  • Hidden waterfall hike
  • Zany attractions nearby: Alligator Farm, UFO Watchtower
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a natural oddity so bizarre and wonderful, you just have to see it for yourself. These are the tallest dunes in North America. 85,000 acres of sand, some reaching 750 feet high!

Surrounding the Dunes in the spring and early summer is Medano creek, complete with surging waves. The Sangre de Cristos mountains are on the edge of the park, with six 13,000 foot peaks looming above you. This is unbelievable scenery.

The Great Sand Dunes Lodge is a great place to stay. It’s only a couple of miles up the road from the park, and every room has its own private patio with a view of the Dunes. Hummingbird feeders also attract dozens of hummers, which is lots of fun, especially if you love bird-watching.

With views of the Dunes, hummingbirds, and the entire San Luis Valley, one could spend an entire weekend just sitting on the back patio…

But there are also hiking trails nearby, one leading to the hidden Zapata Falls. Walk up a stream and into a cave to see this secret waterfall.

Or partake in some of the zanier attractions…

The nearby Colorado Gators has over 400 alligators, as well as rattlesnakes, pythons, and even some ostriches and emus. And the UFO Watchtower (free!) offers lots of UFO souvenirs, and claims to be the sight of two major inter-dimensional vortexes. Watch the skies.

If you like to be close to cities on your Colorado weekend getaways, Alamosa is only a short drive away for your choice of restaurants and other lodging options.

***

Great Sand Dunes National Park
35 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado, reached by U.S. 160 and Colorado 150 from the south, or from Colorado 17 and County Lane 6 from the west.
(719)378-6399

Great Sand Dunes Lodge
7900 Highway 150 N
Mosca, CO 81146
(719) 378-2900

Zapata Falls
Accessed from U.S. Highway 150, south of Great Sand Dunes. Between mile marker 10 and 11 is the access to Zapata Falls; the turn-off is to the east. Look for the "Zapata Falls Recreation Area" road sign. The trailhead is approximately 3.5 miles from the turn-off. Follow the unpaved road to a parking lot, picnic area, and an accessible restroom.

Colorado Gators
9162 County Road 9 North
Mosca, CO, 81146
(719) 378-2612

UFO Watchtower
2 miles north of Hooper on Hwy 17
Watch for the ET signs***
719-378-2296





“MOUNTAIN RETREAT ON THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE”
WARD, COLORADO


Colorado Weekend Getaways - Rocky Mountain Escape

A trip up to Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa is a great way to spend a Colorado weekend. Getaways like this only happen in the Rocky Mountains. This resort is located 23 miles northwest of Boulder, and sits atop the Continental Divide.

Highlights:

  • Cozy Lodging with incredible views
  • Lakeside Hot Pools
  • Gourmet Food
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Estes Park: shopping, elk
This resort is a perfect romantic getaway. It’s quiet, private, and has beautiful scenery everywhere you look. The cabins are warm and inviting. The goose down beds are to die for. The gourmet food is organic and delicious.

They have lakeside hot pools that overlook the Continental Divide, and tipis with hot tubs inside. And yes, they have a spa too. This place will melt away your stress. As Colorado weekend getaways go, this is a winner if you love peace and solitude.

If you like to get out and about, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is only 35 miles away, with trails and views galore. Or take a trip down into Estes Park, do some shopping, and say hello to the elk that often wander through town. It’s your weekend getaway, the choice is yours.

***

Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa
3371 Gold Lake Road
Ward, CO 80481
(303) 459-3544

Rocky Mountain National Park
From Denver and the east, take U.S. routes 34 or 36 through Estes Park. From west or south, take I-70 to U.S. Rt. 40., then to U.S. Rt.34 through Grand Lake.




***Don't forget about the many Hot Springs around the state of Colorado! Sometimes the best weekend escape is just soaking in soothing mineral waters***

Hope these ideas for Colorado weekend getaways were helpful! Have fun.


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