Discover the best outdoor activities in Colorado Springs
People who love outdoor activities, also love Colorado Springs. The county seat of El Paso County, Colorado Springs, around 60 miles south of Denver, has a population of over 450,000 residents. Home of the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs also enjoys the nickname “Olympic City USA” as it’s also the headquarters of the US Olympic Committee and the US Olympic Training Center.
Outdoor Activities in Colorado Springs
Whether you’re into fitness, spectator sports, or natural beauty, you’ll find exciting things to do outdoors. Here are some suggestions for residents and tourists alike.
· If you love baseball, you’ll enjoy the Colorado Springs Sky Sox; if college football is more appealing, you will have a great day watching the Air Force Academy Falcons play their FBS (formerly Division 1) opponents in the clean crisp air of Fall.
· Visit one of the many beautiful parks in Colorado Springs, including the Garden of the Gods, which many fans consider to be the “most beautiful park in the world.”
· While you may not have the driving to compete in the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), you can certainly watch parts of it on the typically beautiful last Sunday in June every year. When the 4,720 foot, PPIHC is not being run from the 9,390 foot start line to the 14,115 foot (above sea level) finish line, you can take one of multiple tours up this famous mountain on the Pikes Highway. Just remember the air is really thin up there.
· If hiking is your favorite outdoor activity, you’ll find the New Santa Fe Regional Trail, the Pikes Peak Greenway, and Fountain Creek Regional Trail wind through Colorado Springs from Palmer Lake all the way to the town of Fountain. Much of the trail through the city limits is paved, the rest is a soft gravel trail. No motorized vehicles are permitted on these trails, so they’re safe for hikers.
· Enjoy rock climbing as an ideal day outdoors? Then the Front Range Climbing Company is perfect to get your climbing “fix.”
· Should you love riding horseback, the Old Stage Riding Stables has the horse for you. There are multiple horseback riding tours to provide beginners through experts, exciting outdoor experiences. Academy Riding Stables also offer quality horses for outdoor equestrian adventures.
· When you want to combine Colorado’s natural beauty with a day of fitness, put Seven Falls on your list of things to do. This majestic waterfall is less than one mile from the noted Broadmoor resort, Seven Falls with its spectacular 181-foot drop of rushing water, is matched by its challenging hiking trails. Seeking even more excitement? Take one of their zip-line tours, followed by a relaxing dinner and/or visiting nearby shops.
As you now can see, Colorado Springs is much more than a picturesque area near the Rocky Mountains. Colorado Springs is an exciting venue for outdoor activities. Located in the so-called High Desert area, its climate is more temperate than Colorado’s noted ski areas. Not often subjected to the dramatic temperature swings, Colorado Springs attracts new residents and tourists hoping to enjoy its natural beauty and its many fabulous outdoor activities.