New Things To Do In Colorado Springs – Your Guide To Fresh Trails &
You’ve seen the iconic photos of Garden of the Gods and maybe even driven the breathtaking Pikes Peak Highway. You’re standing at the foot of the Rockies, feeling that pull for adventure, but you want to go beyond the postcard spots everyone else is flocking to.
You’re looking for something different, something that challenges you, teaches you a new skill, and truly connects you with the wild spirit of the Front Range. You want to find the real gems, not just the crowded trailheads.
This guide is your map to that deeper experience. We’re going to show you the truly new things to do in Colorado Springs, from recently opened hiking trails and unique skill-building workshops to sustainable exploration practices that let you give back to the wild places you love. Get ready to explore the Pikes Peak region like a seasoned local.
Hike and Bike Uncharted Territory: Exploring Newly Opened Trails
The biggest attractions in Colorado Springs are popular for a reason, but they also see the most foot traffic. To truly get away, you need to know where the latest trail systems have opened up, giving you a chance for solitude and pristine nature.
Exploring these areas requires a bit more preparation, but the rewards—unspoiled views and a true sense of discovery—are more than worth it. This is your first step toward finding your own secret spot in the mountains.
Discover the Trails at Kane Ranch Open Space
Recently opened to the public, Kane Ranch Open Space offers miles of rolling trails perfect for beginner to intermediate hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Located southeast of the city, it provides a different perspective of the landscape, with sweeping views of the plains and the distant mountain range.
The trails here are less technical than those in North Cheyenne Cañon, making it an excellent place to acclimate or test out new gear. Pack your favorite daypack, like the Osprey Talon 22, with plenty of water, sunscreen, and a good trail map app like AllTrails or Gaia GPS, as signage is still being developed in some areas.
Explore the Expanded Ute Valley Park
While Ute Valley Park isn’t new, recent expansions have added new loops and connectors that many visitors don’t know about. These newer sections offer technical rock features for mountain bikers and secluded hiking paths that wind through unique hogback ridges.
One of the benefits of New things to do in Colorado Springs like exploring these trail expansions is that you can find quiet even in a popular city park. A key tip is to download the park map before you go, as cell service can be spotty in the canyons.
Embrace the Vertical: New Rock Climbing and Rappelling Adventures
The granite formations around Colorado Springs are a climber’s paradise. While Garden of the Gods has classic routes, several local guide companies are now offering trips to lesser-known crags, providing a more intimate and skill-focused experience.
Learning to climb or rappel isn’t just an adrenaline rush; it’s a massive confidence builder and a fantastic way to engage with the mountain environment on a whole new level. It teaches you trust—in your gear, your guide, and yourself.
Guided Adventures in Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon offers a fantastic alternative to the permit-heavy climbing in Garden of the Gods. We recommend booking a half-day guided trip with a certified outfitter like Front Range Climbing Company. They provide all the necessary gear, including a helmet, harness, and climbing shoes.
This is the perfect setting to learn the basics of belaying, knot-tying, and movement on rock in a safe, controlled environment. Your guide will know the best routes for your skill level, ensuring you have a challenging but successful first experience.
Introduction to Rappelling in North Cheyenne Cañon
Rappelling is a critical skill for any aspiring mountaineer. Several local guides now offer introductory rappelling courses on the granite walls of North Cheyenne Cañon Park. You’ll learn how to set up an anchor, manage the ropes, and control your descent safely.
This is a practical, hands-on workshop that moves you beyond being a passive passenger and toward becoming a self-sufficient adventurer. It’s one of the most empowering new things to do in Colorado Springs for those serious about building their outdoor toolkit.
Learn from the Land: Foraging, Bushcraft, and Survival Workshops
True self-reliance begins with understanding the landscape around you. A growing movement of outdoor educators in the Pikes Peak region now offers workshops on everything from identifying edible plants to building a primitive shelter. This is how you go from just visiting nature to becoming a part of it.
These workshops are an incredible way to deepen your connection to the outdoors and learn skills that could one day be essential. They transform a simple hike into a journey of discovery.
Wild Edibles and Foraging Tours
Join a local foraging expert for a walk through the foothills to learn how to safely identify and sustainably harvest wild edible plants. You’ll be amazed at the abundance of food available, from wild berries to miner’s lettuce and cattail roots.
A good foraging guide will not only teach you identification but also the ethics of wildcrafting. The core principle is to never take more than you need and to always leave the area healthier than you found it. This is a core tenet of sustainable new things to do in Colorado Springs.
Weekend Bushcraft and Survival Courses
For a more immersive experience, consider a weekend bushcraft course. These programs, often held on private land just outside the city, teach foundational survival skills: fire-making with a ferro rod, shelter construction, water purification, and basic navigation with a map and compass.
This is a practical New things to do in Colorado Springs guide to self-sufficiency. You’ll leave not just with knowledge, but with the confidence that comes from putting those skills into practice.
Your Guide to Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Exploration
As more people discover the beauty of Colorado Springs, the pressure on our natural spaces increases. Adopting sustainable and eco-friendly practices isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a responsibility for every outdoor enthusiast. It ensures these new places stay wild and beautiful for generations to come.
Knowing how to New things to do in Colorado Springs responsibly is just as important as knowing where to go. Small actions, when practiced by everyone, make a huge difference.
Mastering Leave No Trace Principles
The seven principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) are the gold standard for outdoor ethics. Here’s how to apply them to your Colorado Springs adventures:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Check trail conditions, weather forecasts, and any local regulations before you go. This prevents you from getting into situations where you might damage the environment.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on the established trail. In new or less-developed areas, walk on rock, gravel, or dry grass to avoid creating new paths.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. This includes food scraps like apple cores and banana peels.
- Leave What You Find: Let others enjoy the beauty of wildflowers and cool rocks. Take pictures instead.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a camp stove for cooking. If you must have a fire, use an existing fire ring and make sure it’s dead out before you leave.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance. Never feed them.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Keep noise to a minimum and yield to others on the trail.
Volunteering with Local Conservation Groups
One of the most rewarding eco-friendly new things to do in Colorado Springs is to give back. Organizations like the Rocky Mountain Field Institute and Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) host regular volunteer days for trail building and restoration projects.
Spending a morning helping to build a new trail or restore a damaged area gives you a profound sense of ownership and connection to the land. It’s hard work, but it’s incredibly fulfilling.
Gear Up and Get Ready: Essential Prep for Your Adventure
Tackling new adventures requires the right gear and a solid plan. One of the common problems with New things to do in Colorado Springs is underestimating the challenges of the high-altitude environment. The weather can change in an instant, and the sun is more intense than at sea level.
The High-Altitude Essentials Checklist
Whether you’re hiking a new trail or taking a workshop, your daypack should always contain the “Ten Essentials.” This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a critical safety system.
- Navigation: Map, compass, and a GPS device or phone with downloaded maps (like a Garmin inReach Mini).
- Headlamp: Even on a day hike. A reliable option is the Black Diamond Spot 400.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- First Aid: A pre-made kit like those from Adventure Medical Kits, with any personal medications added.
- Knife: A simple multi-tool like a Leatherman Skeletool is perfect.
- Fire: Waterproof matches, a lighter, and a fire starter.
- Shelter: An emergency space blanket or bivy.
- Extra Food: More than you think you’ll need. High-energy bars are great.
- Extra Water: At least one liter more than you expect, or a water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze.
- Extra Clothes: A waterproof rain jacket (like the Marmot PreCip) and an insulating layer, no matter how nice the day starts.
Acclimatizing and Staying Hydrated
Altitude sickness is a real risk. If you’re coming from a lower elevation, take it easy for the first day or two. Choose shorter, less strenuous trails to start. The most important defense is hydration—drink water constantly, even before you feel thirsty.
Following these New things to do in Colorado Springs best practices for preparation will keep you safe, comfortable, and ready to enjoy your adventure to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Things to Do in Colorado Springs
What is the best time of year to try these new outdoor activities?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) are ideal. You’ll find pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds than in peak summer, and stunning seasonal beauty like wildflowers or golden aspen trees. Always check for late-season snow in the spring and be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms in the summer.
Do I need a special permit for these new trails or climbing areas?
For the specific locations mentioned in this guide, like Kane Ranch and Ute Valley Park, no special permits are required for day hiking or biking. However, guided climbing trips handle all necessary permits for you. It’s a great practice to always check the official website for any park or open space before you visit for the most current regulations.
What are some common problems I might face when exploring new areas in Colorado Springs?
The three biggest challenges are altitude, weather, and navigation. Visitors often underestimate how quickly they can become dehydrated or fatigued at 6,000+ feet. The weather can shift from sunny to a hail storm in 30 minutes. Finally, new or lesser-used trails may have poor signage, making a reliable map and compass (and knowing how to use them) absolutely essential.
By preparing for these challenges, you turn potential problems into manageable situations, which is a core part of building outdoor competence. This is where your adventure truly begins.
Exploring these new corners of Colorado Springs is about more than just finding a different view. It’s about building confidence, learning new skills, and developing a deeper, more respectful relationship with the natural world. Use this guide as your starting point, but let your curiosity lead you.
Go find that quiet trail, learn that new skill, and discover a side of the Pikes Peak region that most visitors never see. Stay safe, be prepared, and happy trails!
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