Heading to Colorado Springs this winter and looking to snowshoe? While Colorado Springs is not famously known for its snowshoeing compared to other cities in Colorado like Aspen or Breckenridge, there’s no shortage of snowshoeing trails in and around the Springs. With several large parks just outside of Colorado Springs, you can enjoy miles and miles of snowshoeing and great views of Pikes Peak, the surrounding smaller peaks, and views of the plains to the north- all within a 1.5-hour drive of downtown.
Grab your snowshoes and head out to these five areas that we’ve picked as our favorite places to snowshoe in Colorado Springs:
#5 Muеllеr Stаtе Park
Located on the backside of Pikes Peak near the small town of Divide, Colorado, Mueller State Park is a great spot for snowshoeing during the winter season. With 55 miles of trails rated from easy to moderate in difficulty, beginners and expert snowshoers alike will enjoy the park. Because Mueller State Park sits in the rolling foothills west of Pikes Peak, most of your day will be spent snowshoeing deep in pine forests or through open meadows with sweeping views of the mountains surrounding Colorado Springs to the west. Snowshoeing in Mueller State Park is almost a game because you’ll be chasing views of Pikes Peak and other mountains as you snowshoe in and out of tree patches and meadows.
There are so trails available for snowshoeing in this park, it’s hard to pick just one of our favorites. Here’s a few worth checking out:
- Outlook Ridge to Raven Ridge Overlook – 1.4 miles round trip
- Grouse Mountain Overlook – 0.8 miles round trip
- Lost Pond – 0.8 miles round trip
#4 Florissant Fossil Beds
When there’s enough snow, the Florissant Fossil Beds west of Colorado Springs can be an incredible place to snowshoe with over 15 miles of trails through hills, Aspen and Douglas Fir forests, and petrified logs. While the area needs a good dusting of snow to actually snowshoe, once the area has enough snow cover, the Florissant Fossil Beds is a great spot to snowshoe. Similar to the views of Mueller State Park, you’ll be immersed with views of nearby Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains.
Our favorite snowshoeing trails in the Florissant Fossil Beds include:
- Boulder Creek Trail – 3 miles round trip
- Twin Rock Trail – 5 miles round trip
- Sawmill Trail – 2.6 miles round trip
#3 Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Garden of the Gods
Clearly both Red Rock Canyon and the Garden of the Gods are as famous in Colorado Springs as Pikes Peak- and for good reason! Both areas are little outdoor escapes besieged by the dense urban network of downtown Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. Both parks offer great, quick snowshoeing for those in the heart of Colorado Springs.
In both parks, you’ll find relevantly short trails compared to the other places on our list. Because the parks cater to most novice hikers and families, the trails are short, easy, and flat- which are perfect for a quick afternoon. Just a word of caution: both parks are extremely popular spots for Colorado Springs’ locals and visitors alike so be prepared for some crowds.
We recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Garden of the Gods immediately following a snowstorm so you can snowshoe on fresh powder before the crowds trample the area.
#2 Pancake Rocks and Horsethief Park
A huge network of trails on the backside of Pikes Peak, Pancake Rocks and Horsethief Park are great places to snowshoe for those looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of Colorado Springs.
While more challenging than other areas and trails on our list, these trails are great for those looking to get more of a workout during their snowshoeing Microadventure. Both trails are very steep and long- you’ll need to stretch out your calves before tackling either! Enjoy views of the nearby valley, Pikes Peak, and alien-looking rock formations as you stomp and snowshoe your way through dense forests and on top of ridgelines.
#1 Cheyenne Mountain State Park
A huge park just south of Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park has over 21 miles of great snowshoeing trails available in a 2,700+ acre park right at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. While the park is mostly utilized during winter by cross country skiers, you’ll find no shortage of trails to snowshoe on.
What we love about snowshoeing in Cheyenne Mountain State Park is the proximity to downtown Colorado Springs, the sheer number of trails available, and the views. You can get to Cheyenne Mountain State Park in less than 15 minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, snowshoe for as long or as little as you want, and still be able to meet your buddies for a beer back downtown in the same afternoon.
As you snowshoe on the trails throughout the park, try not to get distracted with the views of Cheyenne Mountain, Pikes Peak, and the skyline of Colorado Springs in the distance.
Our favorite snowshoeing trails in Cheyenne Mountain State Park include:
- Sundance – 3.29 miles round trip
- Talon – 2.64 miles round trip
- Blackmer Loop – 3.52 miles round trip
Conclusion
What is surprising to most visitors and Microadventurers to Colorado Springs is the amount of snowshoeing trails available within a 1.5-hour drive of downtown. There’s a huge network of trails available in the parks mentioned including Mueller State Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and more.
If it’s dumping snow outside, grab your snowshoes and boots and get out to enjoy miles of trails in and around Colorado Springs!
Where do you like to snowshoe in Colorado Springs? Leave a comment below or tweet us!
Kirsten is the owner of a functional nutrition company named “CustomCare Nutrition.” Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, she is a nutrition and fitness advocate who loves hiking, climbing, and backpacking.
