Woodland Park Colorado

Woodland Park Colorado is a beautiful mountain town located 18 miles west of Colorado Springs.

A short, scenic drive up Hwy 24 gets you to the place affectionately called “The City Above the Clouds.”

Woodland Park earned this title due to its high elevation.

At 8,465 feet above sea level, the city often has clear skies when Colorado Springs is overcast or experiencing precipitation.

And the views...

The presence of Pikes Peak in this town is truly amazing, dominating the skyline. If you’re visiting Colorado Springs on vacation, it’s worth the curvy trip up the Ute Pass just to take a look.

The city of Woodland Park Colorado itself lies essentially along the Hwy 24 corridor.

Restaurants and shops hug the highway all through town, with names like The Hungry Bear, Donut Mill, and Swiss Chalet.

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is also located along the main road, and it’s hard to miss.

Life-size recreations of T-Rex and Triceratops stand guard outside, but this place is more than roadside kitsch--it's an actual museum with 12,000 square feet of fossil exhibits.

For a city of only 7,600 people, Woodland Park Colorado sure has plenty of stores to keep travelers supplied for activities like camping and RV trips.

Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, and City Market can be found in town as well as Big O Tires and Napa for your auto needs.

In the summer, Woodland Park Colorado is home to several art and music festivals who set up just off the main thoroughfare.

Walking around on a sunny day with the mountain views and friendly small-town festival vibe is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

For hiking, camping, and fishing, Woodland Park Colorado has ample opportunities, with two nearby offerings: Rampart Range Reservoir and Mueller State Park.

Rampart Range Reservoir is just 8 miles north of town, a main water supply for Colorado Springs.

Twelve miles of trails surround the reservoir, making it a wonderful place for all kinds of activity: hiking, mountain biking, running, and fishing.

This is a non-motorized body of water, so you'll see plenty of people in canoes, kayaks, and floaters. Several picnic spots surround the reservoir as well--a peaceful place to have lunch by the water.

Mueller State Park is only a 30-minute drive from Woodland Park, and has fifty miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

Over 100 camp, tent, and RV sites are available. Spend enough time in Mueller State Park and you'll likely see mule deer, elk, and even black bear.

This cute little town is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Colorado Springs area. But be careful, many of the permanent residents started out as visitors too.

<< From Woodland Park Colorado back HOME
<< Mountain Towns