Colorado Springs Travel Activities & Destinations

Colorado Springs is located slightly east of the geographic center of Colorado state and 61 miles south of the State Capitol in Denver. At an elevation of 6,035 feet (about 1839 meters) Colorado Springs resides at over a mile above sea level, while some areas of the city reside much higher. Colorado Springs is located near the base of a very famous American mountain, named Pikes Peak, at the east edge of the southern Rocky Mountains. In 2006, Colorado Springs was selected by Money Magazine as the number one Big City in “Best Places to Live”.

Most vacationers in Colorado Springs are attracted to the surrounding natural wonders such as the famous Pikes Peak mountain. Colorado Springs has numerous trails and national parks due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, making it a popular travel destination for its beautiful scenery. With the nearby Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs has also gained popularity for its large rock formations and other geological features.

Attractions in Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak is one of America’s most famous mountains and one of America’s national treasures. It is is home to a diverse and abundant combination of plant and animal wildlife. People have traversed Pikes Peak’s valleys and hillsides for centuries searching for sport, natural beauty, education and spiritual enlightenment.

Pikes Peak Toll Highway runs through Pikes Peak Summit House and Glen Cove and Crystal Reservoir. The highway toll is $10.00 per person or $35.00 per car, whichever is less.

Approximately six miles from the tollbooth, you will visit Crystal Reservoir. At Crystal Reservoir, you can pan for gold in the mining waters, rent a paddleboat, or take in the beautiful mountain views. Half way through the trail, you can stop and take a break at Glen Cove. This will help you acclimate to the high altitude while offering you an opportunity to visit a friendly gift shop and eat at the restaurant. As you continue your climb, you’ll come across the Summit House, where you will find a warm and cozy spot to enjoy world-famous high-altitude donuts, photo opportunities, a gift shop and the restaurant itself. For more information on Pikes Peak and the hours of operation, call 719-473-0208.

“Cave of the Winds”

67% of the visitors to Cave of the Winds are repeat visitors and nearly all of them say they’ll return again in the future. When visiting Pikes Peak region, we hope you will stop to enjoy their hospitality for yourself. They will welcome you and your family to enjoy the perfect combination of recreation, relaxation, natural beauty, and history blended to create a mountain full of great memories and fun.

Decade after decade and century after century, water persisted against rock, leaving behind crystalline deposits of limestone sediments. As rock gave way to space, a cave was created. Cave of the Winds is an underground cave system of rooms and passages, decorated with limestone stalagmites, stalactites and flowstone curtains draping from the ceiling. Often referred to as Jewels of nature, these limestone formations took centuries to form and have been preserved for all to enjoy. Nestled at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, this incredible and scenic cave system chronicles over 200 million years of geological history. Informative guides will lead you through 1 of 3 different caverns, while explaining how they were formed and also tell you about their history as one of Colorado’s most marvelous natural attractions.