City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (719) 576-2016

Address: 410 JL Ranch Heights

Description: The newest state park covers a vast 1,680 acres, going from rolling prairie up to peaks. Located on the southern end of Colorado Springs just opposite Fort Carson Gate 1, Cheyenne Mountain State Park underwent years of careful planning before opening in 2006. The park, the largest in El Paso County, offers year-round hiking, biking, camping, wildlife viewing, a visitor center, and facilities for group events.This park offers the classic Colorado experience. Near the entrance is a mosaic of Great Plains grassland and oak shrubs, but as the park climbs to peaks in the west, there are classic ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests. In between are varying grass species, mushrooms, northern-most wild grapes, and some of the largest strands of plum in Colorado Springs. The wildlife is just as diverse, including deer, elk, black bears, mountain lion, red foxes, bobcats, and badgers. Wild turkeys roam the grounds while red-tail hawks and golden eagles soar above.The best way to experience the park is with time on your hands and a bike or hiking shoes. There are 16 trails covering more than 20 miles, from easy, short jaunts to long, more difficult routes. A number of suggested hikes with maps are available on the website. Leave Fido at home, though, as pets and horses, are not permitted on the trails—and neither is smoking—in an effort to protect the fragile ecosystems. Geocaching, a popular GPS-inspired treasure hunting activity, is another great way to explore the park’s trails and generous open space. There are several caches hidden in the park, and clues to hidden cache locations are posted at www.geocaching.com. GPS units are available for rental at the park visitor center. They even offer GPS/Geocaching instructional programs for those who want to start the hobby. Check the park calendar of events (on the website) for the next session. Evening programs and naturalist-guided hikes are led regularly in the summer and occasionally in the fall, winter, and spring. Programs include the new Junior Ranger program, children’s activities, wildlife information, and more. Some past sessions have covered “Munching Mouthparts” (the construction of a large-scale model working grasshopper’s mouth), “Rattlesnakes!” and “Star Trekking.” You can sign up as an individual, or schedule a special group activity. Check the visitor center calendar, or call to make a special group appointment. When at the visitor center, also pick up the wildlife and birds checklists. For those who want to picnic, there are 41 day-use picnic sites (available first come, first served), complete with table, grill, and peak to prairie views.If a group event is in your future, there are 2 outdoor facilities. The Prairie Skipper, which accommodates up to 200 people, is a pavilion with electric service, picnic tables, restrooms, activity area, and parking for 85 vehicles. Prairie Falcon Event Facility is an outdoor amphitheater with rock-step seating that overlooks green open space (hint: great for weddings!). It holds up to 200 people and is open May through Oct. Both require advance reservations and a fee. Check the website for the “group facilities” link for more information. Camping also is available. Park passes are $7 daily per vehicle, or you can purchase an annual pass for $70, although Colorado seniors pay only $35. Open year-round, 24 hours a day with a quiet time between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.To reach the park, drive south on I-25 to exit 135 at South Academy Boulevard. Go west (right) past Pikes Peak Community College. At CO 115, turn left (south). At the first stop light, turn right (Fort Carson Gate 1 will be directly across the street). Go west and follow the road into the park.