Colorado Springs
Convention &
Visitors Bureau
515 S. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

1.800.888.4748
1.719.635.7506

Detailed Itineraries

Outdoor Adventure Day Trips in
Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region...

Colorado Springs
Day 1:
Stretch your legs and take a leisurely hike through the Garden of the Gods Park. Start with the 12-minute film of "How did those red rocks get there?" at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. FREE self-guided tour through the park, either hiking, biking, or driving. Or you may want to go to the Academy Riding Stables on the edge of the Park to take a horseback trip through the Garden of the Gods. Lunch at the Visitor Center or at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post (authentic Native American Heritage Program available for groups) or nearby in the Historic District of Old Colorado City. Visit the many museums or shop at the various galleries and novelty shops.

For evening entertainment enjoy a chuck wagon supper and western stage show at the Flying W Ranch . Stroll through the authentic 1800's western town before supper.

Day 2:
Hiking at Seven Falls to the top of the falls, watching the Native American dancers or hiking the many trails in North Cheyenne Canyon (10 minutes from downtown) is a pleasant way to spend a morning in nature's home. For lunch, picnic overlooking the Great Plains and the City of Colorado Springs. Visit the African Rift Valley exhibit, at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and hand-feed the giraffe herd. Continue up to the top of the mountain to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun for a breathtaking view of mountain scenery and plains that extend all the way to Kansas.

Buena Vista/Salida
Day 3:
Add an all-day or half-day, thrilling white water rafting trip on the Arkansas River in either Buena Vista or Salida to experience the infamous "Brown's Canyon" rapids. (75 mi/120km)

Manitou Springs
Day 4:
Take the morning train on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak (3 hrs. roundtrip). Lunch and shop in Historic Manitou Springs. "Manitou", a Native American word for "spirit", describes this quaint mountain community. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the seven mineral springs throughout the town, take the "1881-Lantern Tour" in the Cave of the Winds, visit the historic Cliff Dwellings or Miramont Castle Museums. Finish the day at the CastAways or the Iron Springs Chateau two local dinner theaters located in Manitou Springs(6 mi/10km).

Cripple Creek/Victor
Day 5:
A Jeep tour on the 4-wheel drive back roads to the historic gold mining towns of Cripple Creek & Victor is an exciting way to start the day. Ride the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge RR for the 4-mile scenic tour. Travel underground (304k) for a mine tour at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Stroll the historic streets of the communities that housed "the Greatest Gold Mines" in the West. Take in some limited stakes gambling at the casinos, visit the Historic Cripple Creek Distric Museum, or take a Ghost Walk Tour. (34 mi/54km).

Colorado Springs
Day 6:
Rent bikes and explore the many bike paths in the downtown area of Colorado Springs. Visit the weekly Farmer's Markets (during the summer months), enjoy lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants. Bikers can easily ride from one museum to the other in the downtown area, and there are many parks with streams and lakes for a picnic lunch if your prefer. Bike paths connect to the Fountain Creek Nature Center and Park where bird-watching enthusiastists can view the Great Blue Herons and Canadian Geese, which are among many shore birds located in the park. More advanced bike riders can experience the many mountain bike paths in the mountains (15 minutes from downtown) or take the Santa Fe Trail to the United States Air Force Academy. Have dinner at the "World Famous", 5-Star Broadmoor Resort and take a leisurely stroll around its beautiful lake.

Ca�on City/Royal Gorge
Day 7:
Full day trip to Ca�on City and the Royal Gorge Canyon. Take the morning train of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad (2 hrs. roundtrip) which offers spectacular views along the Arkansas River at the bottom of the canyon, whose walls rise 304 m. above the train (this historic railway also offers a "Twilight Dinner" in the historic Theodore Roosevelt car). Watch river rafters from outdoor boxcars, then travel to the top of the canyon to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park home to the world's highest suspension bridge, aerial tram, and incline railway. Another tour option would be to hike in the Dinosaur Fossil Quarry to view the Jurassic dinosaur graveyard or add a half-day, white water rafting float trip on the Arkansas River. (45 mi/73km)

Woodland Park/Florissant
Day 8:
Visit Woodland Park and continue west in the mountains to the Wolf and Wildlife Center located in Florissant, Colorado. Guided tours allow viewing of wolves in a natural setting. Additional options are horseback riding at the M Lazy C Ranch; then stay a little while and enjoy an outdoor, chuck wagon cowboy supper and entertainment or additional hiking in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There is also the option of fly-fishing while in the area.

Day 9:
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your departure from the Colorado Springs Airport (20 minutes from downtown) or Denver's International Airport. (80 mi/129km)

you are here: Home > Itineraries > Detailed Itineraries