Rocky Mountain Lodge

Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak covered in snow

Explore the Area

Things to Do in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Area

When you vacation at Rocky Mountain Lodge, you’ll find a wealth of attractions and things to do in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and other nearby towns. From white water rafting and incredible hiking trails to museums and shopping, there is something here for everyone.

Pikes Peak with other mountains and pine trees in the foothills and a lake at the bottom

Pikes Peak

Visit Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak “America’s Mountain” is Colorado’s most popular 14er. At 14,115 feet in elevation, it is the most accessible mountain in Colorado. It’s where the words to the song “America the Beautiful” by Kathryn Lee Bates was inspired after she visited the summit in the summer of 1893 by wagon.

Today you get to the summit in a number of ways; by car on the Pikes Peak Highway (right across the highway from Rocky Mountain Lodge), by bike up the highway, by the Mantiou-Pikes Peak Cog Railway, or by hiking up it by either the Barr trail or the Crags trail.

This is a MUST DO while visiting the Pikes Peak area.

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TIP: Try the donuts at the top, but make sure to eat them at the top, they change in consistency on the way down the mountain and aren’t nearly as good as when they’re hot and fresh at high altitude.

There are a couple of important events up Pikes Peak that happen every year.

  • The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, where cars have been racing up the mountain since 1916.
  • The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, a grueling 13.3 mile race from Manitou Springs to the summit, a vertical climb of 7,800 feet along the historic Barr Trail. Not your typical half marathon! The ascent is uphill one day, and the marathon is up and down the following day.

 

Beautiful red rock formations poking high above the pine trees with blue skies above

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a free park consisting of magnificent 300-ft sandstone rock formations with striking views of Pikes Peak and majestic mountains throughout the park. It is a registered National Natural Landmark.

It is home to a plethora of geological and ecological rarities that make the park a prime place for nature lovers.

You can take an easy stroll through the park, or plan some adventure by rock climbing the rock walls, horseback along the trails, take a Segway tour, Jeep tour, bike or E-Bike tour, or a leisurely drive around the perimeter, with plenty of stopping places to get some great photos.

Sandstone Indian cliff dwellings built into the sides of red rocks

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Explore the fascinating architecture of the ancient cliff dwellers and browse through two museums featuring cultural displays overlooking the historic town of Manitou Springs.

a cave with stalactites and stalagmites

Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds

Get down and deep into these historic caves near Manitou Springs. With a few different cave tours, and other thrilling and fun adventures such as the Terror-dactyl, the Wind Walker Challenge Ropes Course, the Bat-a-Pult Zip Line, Cliff Hanger Climbing Wall and Geronimo’s Leap, there’s plenty to do at Cave of the Winds.

Some cowboys singing on a stage in front of a crowd of people having a chuckwagon supper

Flying W Ranch

Flying W Ranch

The Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs has been a living symbol of Western Heritage since 1947 and is a 1,400-acre working cattle ranch nestled in part of the Garden of the Gods rock formations. Welcoming guests since 1953, the ranch has been a local favorite for a good old-fashioned chuckwagon supper and entertainment by the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers.

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Visitors to the ranch can enjoy Native American dancing, horse and carriage rides, pony rides, axe throwing, archery, a narrow-gauge railroad, gift shops, and more.

Then enjoy a traditional western chuckwagon spread of smoked meats of brisket, turkey and sausage with all the trimmings, accompanied by foil-wrapped potatoes, Flying W trail beans, chunky applesauce, Dutch oven biscuits, and spice cake, all served on tin plates with beverages in tin cups to replicate a true chuckwagon experience.

After supper, you will be entertained by the world-famous Flying W Wranglers, the second-oldest western singing band in the world. They have performed all over the world, including the Grand Ole Opry, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. The band’s three-part harmonies, superb instruments, and clean bunkhouse humor have delighted audiences since 1953.

This is a dinner experience that will leave you with lasting memories for a lifetime.

a herd of giraffe around a thatched hut

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, the world’s highest elevation zoo, has been named the #4 Best Zoo in North America by USA Today, and its Rocky Mountain Wild Exhibit has been voted the #2 Best Zoo Exhibit. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an interactive zoo where you can get close and personal with many of the animals, including feeding the giraffes, elephants, rhinos, chickens, birds, and more. Many informative demos occur throughout the day at several of the exhibits.

NOTE: Reservations are required to visit the zoo, so make sure to click on the link to make your reservation to visit this phenomenal zoo.

a suspension bridge high above a rive in between two walls of red rocks and sweeping mountains in the distance

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Home of America’s Highest Suspension Bridge, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Canon City is world-famous. Walk the 1,257 wooden planks suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River across the world-famous Royal Gorge Bridge, and explore the many activities throughout the park such as the Via Ferrata course, skycoaster, zip line course, and more.

a group of people in historical 1800's pioneer costume

Rock Ledge Ranch

Rock Ledge Ranch

Experience history at Rock Ledge Ranch! Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a living history museum located on 230 acres at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Historical interpreters, dressed in clothing appropriate to their respective era, offer tours, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities. Experience the daily lives of the people that lived, worked, hunted, herded, and raised families on this land at Rock Ledge Ranch.

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Several special events throughout the year are offered such as the Summer Living History Program, the Family Fourth of July event, Summer & Holiday Teas, the Labor Day Vintage Baseball match, the Annual Powwow, Harvest Festival, and more.

 

santa claus waving on his red sleigh that says NorthPole

North Pole & Santa's Workshop

North Pole & Santa's Workshop

Right here in Cascade, just on the other side of the highway from Rocky Mountain Lodge, is the North Pole & Santa’s Workshop. This amusement park built into the Pikes Peak Mountain, is the highest elevation in the world. It was designed by the same team of designers who designed Disneyland and was built in 1956. It has since undergone numerous updates and seen the addition of several more rides.

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Not only are there numerous rides for the kiddos, but also several shops such as the Boy Toy Store, the Girl Toy Store, the Candy Shop, the Christmas Shop, and a large shop with just about everything Christmas themed you can imagine. And make sure to visit Santa’s house and get your picture taken with Santa and drop off your Christmas wish list in Santa’s mailbox. You can even bring your mail and have it postmarked from the North Pole!

a pair of grey wolves

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center

The Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center in Divide, Colorado is one of the very few sanctuaries in the United States certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The wildlife center actively participates in the Species Survival Program by providing a home to Mexican Grey Wolves and Swift Foxes. There are several tours offering interactions with the wolves, foxes, and coyote.

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Some of the tours available are:

  • The VIP Interactive Encounter, where you will be able to get in with the wolves and have personal interaction with them, including photos with you and the wolves; 20-25 minutes.
  • The Ultimate Alpha Tour, where you’ll have a full hour to experience 2 wolf enclosures and 1 fox enclosure, including photos with you and the animals. 1 hour.
  • The Meet & Greet Encounter, where a small group will enter the enclosure of wolves Keyni & Makuee, photos will be taken for optional purchase.
  • The Coyote/Dog Encounter, where you can have some high-energy fun with coyote-dog Ringo. Photos included.
  • The Fox/Singing Dog Encounter, where you can have your photo taken with the red fox or singing dog couple.
United States Air Force Academy Chapel with many pointy spires

More Attractioins

There are so many attractions in the Pikes Peak Area that it’s impossible to list them all. From nature parks, military institutions, museums, religious organizations, castles, and more, there’s something for everyone. Peruse through our list to find more to do in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. See our Packages page for some of the more popular activities such as Whitewater Rafting, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Horseback Rides, Jeep Tours, the Royal Gorge Railroad, and Ziplines, add those on to your stay.

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a stone sign with the words Visitor Center

Visitors Centers & Chambers of Commerce

For more information visit the local Visitors Centers and Chambers of Commerce:

red train cars going up a mountain with snow capped mountains around
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