6 Must-Do Things In Summer In Colorado Springs (2024)

Colorado Springs is a pleasant weekend trip for couples and families because of its stunning red rock and mountain environment. Garden of the Gods Park, Glen Eyrie Castle, and Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site are among the best sites to visit in Colorado Springs, Colorado (some are entirely free). On a weekend vacation or day trip, visitors may experience wonderful parks, wedding venues, romantic retreats, RV parks, breakfast locations, ski slopes, and fantastic restaurants.

6 Must-Do Things In Summer In Colorado Springs

Here you can look at some of the top things to do in Summer in Colorado Springs.

1. Garden of the Gods:

If you love exploring adventurous things, the best thing to do in Colorado Springs is to visit the Garden of the Gods, it’s simple to understand how this natural wonder gained its ethereal moniker: These stunning red rock formations appear to have been fashioned by deities. The sandstone pillars, on the other hand, are the result of geological action along a natural fault line, as well as rainfall over millennia. The visitor and nature center, which includes various educational displays and holds daily environmental lectures, is a great place to learn about the garden’s formations.

You are invited to explore the park on your own (by foot or bike) or to join a guided trek led by the nature center. The park collaborates with Adventures Out West to offer bike, Jeep, trolley, and Segway trips, as well as guided electric bike rides. (Please keep in mind that tour rates vary depending on vehicle and tour length.) Alternatively, if you’re seeking for a more real “Wild West” experience, Academy Riding Stables offers guided horseback tours. Garden of the Gods is one of the top things to do in summer in Colorado Springs.

Since there is no entrance price if you explore the Garden of the Gods on your own, past visitors advise returning to the park throughout your stay in Colorado Springs to see the rocks at various times of day. They also lauded the skilled employees at the tourist and nature center. Pathways are paved, allowing individuals in strollers and wheelchairs to visit the park. If you don’t want to cope with the crowds, try to come before 10 a.m. on a weekday.

Best Time To Visit: On weekdays, visit before 10 a.m to avoid the rush.

2. Pikes Peak:

The one who loves mountain peaks is one of the best peaks in Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak, sometimes known as “America’s Mountain,” has been enticing travelers since the nineteenth century. The gold lured the pioneers here, but it was the natural beauty of the mountain that compelled them to stay. The vistas from this pink granite mountain were so beautiful that they inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the lyrics to “America the Beautiful.” “Pikes Peak or Bust,” the renowned Colorado Gold Rush phrase, today applies to tourists: Thousands of hikers undertake the climb each year in quest of breathtaking picture opportunities, while adrenaline addicts get their fill of thrills along the serpentine 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway.

Travelers think it would be a mistake to forego a visit to Pikes Peak regardless of how you get there. However, if you’re terrified of heights, you might want to avoid the drive, since previous visitors reported the hike as a bit intimidating – though practically everyone agrees that the trip is worth it for the panoramic vistas. Even if you are not frightened of heights, you should drive cautiously since weather conditions can make the road dangerous and the rising altitude can cause drivers to feel dizzy or lightheaded. There are no petrol stations along the picturesque drive, so fill up before you begin your adventure.

Best time to visit: The mountain is available for exploration all year. The summit will be accessible until 7 p.m., while the downward gate will be open until 8 p.m. Between September and May, these hours are more limited, so prepare ahead of time.

3. Royal Gorge:

One of the best things to do in summer in Colorado Springs is to go river rafting in a Royal Gorge. There are many surrounding outdoor attractions, such as Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, but if you want to venture farther away, Royal Gorge is must-see. Royal Gorge, located 50 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, is 10 miles long and 1,200 feet deep, cut into the terrain by the Arkansas River. Some of the top whitewater rafting and zipline trips in the state may be found here. If you prefer something a little more regimented, there are lots of possibilities. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park provide a variety of activities to keep you busy.

The well-known pedestrian-only suspension bridge spans Royal Gorge, rising almost 900 feet above the Arkansas River. More views are available from the gondolas and the zip line (there are also some independently run zip lines in the area). Alternatively, you may get up and personal with Royal Gorge by participating in a Via Ferrata climbing adventure. Families will have a good time here as well, owing to the on-site playground. Get down here to enjoy one of the top things to do in Summer in Colorado Springs.

Best time to visit: The park is open for general entry every day. The ideal time to see Royal Gorge Bridge is between 10:00AM and 5:00PM.

4. United States Air Force Academy:

The best place to visit in Colorado Springs is the US air force academy. If you crave speed, pay a visit to the United States Air Force Academy. The academy is not just a must-see for any “Top Gun” fan who wants to experience the stunning jet maneuvers in person, but it is also a functional teaching institution for future pilots. The Visitor Center, which provides a brief but educational overview of the institution as well as self-guided maps, should be your first stop. You are then free to visit sites such as the Cadet Chapel, the Honor Court, and Falcon Stadium.

The academy’s public parts are linked by lengthy, leafy walks, and recent visitors strongly advised wearing sturdy shoes (though you can also drive around the campus). They also advised keeping your eyes and ears open for passing planes, since you could catch a training exercise if you’re lucky. (In fact, consider purchasing tickets for the May Graduation Ceremony, which is noted for its spectacular airborne displays.) Plan on spending many hours here, regardless of when you arrive. Recent visitors advised spending your time exploring and making sure to view the chapel and the several vistas across the region.

Best Time To Visit: The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and entrance is free.

5. North Cheyenne Canon Park:

The North Cheyenne Canon Park is also the best option to visit in the summers of Colorado Springs. If you’re in Colorado Springs during the summer, spend a day in North Cheyenne Canyon Park, which is about 5 miles southwest of town. This park is more than 1,600 acres in size and is located at the bottom of a 1,000-foot-deep canyon; the park’s varied altitudes may sustain a diverse range of animals, including deer, mountain lions, and black bears.

The park has miles of hiking paths. Recent visitors recommended that you start at the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, which is located at the park’s entrance. There are interactive exhibits on the park’s fauna as well as information on hiking paths to famous destinations such as Helen Hunt Falls and Seven Falls. The Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, located at the base of its namesake falls, is another site to get information. Travelers with children reported the paths were relatively simple. They also liked the fact that there was no admittance cost.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit North Cheyenne Canon Park is in the summers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo:

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is best suited for the children and the animal enthusiasts. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, according to animal enthusiasts, is a must-see if you’re visiting Colorado Springs with children. This institution, located south of the city on the slope of Cheyenne Mountain, allows visitors to get up and personal with hundreds of hairy, scaly, and feathered species. You may also feed a giraffe, ride the zoo’s chairlift-style, open-air attraction, and take photographs with the zoo’s inhabitants during animal encounters while you’re there.

Although the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a wide range of animals, the giraffes are by far the most popular among visitors. Recent visitors said it was a terrific experience for both kids and adults to be able to feed the giraffes. Visitors also praised the personnel, describing them as attentive and informed. Others praised the zoo’s setting, saying the vistas are breathtaking and the walkways are simple to manage with a stroller or wheelchair. Your zoo admission also includes access to the Will Rogers Shrine, which is about a mile northwest of the zoo’s entrance (along the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway).

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holidays, spring break and June through September from 10:00AM-5:00AM.

So, the next time you come visit Colorado Springs with your family and friends, be sure to check these top things to do in Summer in Colorado Springs to enjoy yourself to the fullest.