Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Cheyenne Mountain State Park lies north of Colorado Springs along the foothills of Cheyenne Mountain. Open since 2006, the newest of Colorado’s state parks contains abundant flora and fauna from the open spaces of the Front Range to the top of Cheyenne Mountain. Once a working ranch, visitors now enjoy 1680 acres of natural beauty combined with modern facilities that enhance the camping experience. Guests are welcome to visit the educational displays or participate in any number of park hosted programs presented by staff.

Camping and Picnicking

Park permits and camping fees apply year round. Individual and group picnicking areas along with individual or group campsites remain available all year. The park accepts reservations up to 6 months in advance from April 15 to October 15. During the off-season, sites are first come first serve. Cheyenne Mountain State Park has 61 individual campsites, 51 of which provide electricity, sewer and water hookups. All sites contain parking areas , a paved site for RV’s or tents, a picnic table and an open fire pit. Handicap accessible sites are also available. Restroom facilities are located throughout the property.

Activities and Programs

Maps available from the visitor’s center provide bikers, hikers, walkers and wildlife enthusiasts with the layout of 16 interconnecting trails encompassing 20 miles. Optional guided hikes take visitors along any number of paths for insight into the plant and wildlife residing in the area. Rated from easy to moderate in difficulty, the paths, vary in length from 0.1 mile to 3.5 miles in distance. Trails travel through sunny meadows filled with natural wildflowers, shady forested areas and natural rock gardens. One path leads past a prairie dog village and another looks down upon a noted wildlife corridor.

The open-air amphitheater and the event center at Cheyenne Mountain State Park provide the perfect setting for numerous activities and educational programs day and night. Family oriented activities include the Junior Ranger Program, a class teaching navigation by the night stars and various wildlife discussions. Brave souls may participate in a haunted nighttime nature hike. At various times throughout the year, the park hosts compass orienteering and treasure hunting classes. GPS treasure hunts, known as geocaching, are also available. The Visitor’s Center rents GPS systems during the peak season.

Amenities and Facilities

Besides hosting various park activities, the Cheyenne Mountain State Park outdoor Amphitheater and the Event Pavilion are available for public use via reservation from mid-April to mid-October. The amphitheater features rock step seating and accommodates up to 200 people. The event center contains activity areas, electricity, picnic tables and restrooms for up to 200 guests. A large parking lot contains enough spaces for 85 vehicles.

The Camper Service Building features a coin-operated laundry and showers for the convenience of guests. Showers are also available at the Meadows Campground located on the property. The Visitor’s Center provides camping and park permits during peak season, but also offers educational and interpretive displays along with a gift shop. An outdoor patio boasts breathtaking views or guests are welcome to cozy up by the fire indoors on a chilly day. A self-serve station provides park passes after closing hours and during the off-season.

Wildlife

Visitors to Cheyenne Mountain State Park may encounter a wide range of wildlife. The park is home to over 100 species of birds in addition to everything from badgers to wild turkeys. The long list of native creatures inhabiting the area includes:

Badgers · Fox
Black bears · Golden eagles
Bobcats · Prairie dogs
Cougars · Rattle snakes and other snake species
Coyotes · Red tailed hawks
Deer · Various other bird species
Elk · Wild turkeys

Though the location offers great photographic opportunities and the exhilarating experience of viewing wild animals in their natural surroundings, guests should exercise caution and remain at a safe distance at all times.

Guests interested in planning events or vacationing at the state park may visit http://parks.state.co.us/parks/cheyennemountain/Pages/CheyenneMountainHome.aspx for further information.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park
410 JL Ranch Heights
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80926

Phone: 719-576-2016
Fax: 719-576-9099