Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Colorado Springs

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A former quarry and part of the sandstone vein that runs through the Garden of the Gods, this 787-acre park was nearly developed into a golf course and townhouses. Thanks to committed residents who fought the good fight, however, it's now a fabulous local park, where you can hike, mountain bike and rock climb, without all the tourist hoopla.

If you want to link up with a longer hike, the Section 16 trail leads out of the southwestern corner of the park on a nice 6-mile loop. Rock climbers have access to over 80 bolted climbing routes, but they must register at the Garden of the Gods visitor center first. The main access is off Hwy 24, west of Old Colorado City Historic District.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • The famous giant red sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado

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    2.07 MILES

    This gorgeous vein of red sandstone (about 290 million years old) appears elsewhere along Colorado's Front Range, but the exquisitely thin cathedral…

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  • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

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    In 1873 Dr AC Peale, as part of the USGS Hayden expedition, was on his way to survey and map the South Park area, when he reputedly discovered these…

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Nearby Colorado Springs attractions

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There's a small historical display in leafy Bancroft Park, which is set smack in the middle of Old Colorado City. The centerpiece is the Old Pioneer…

2. Old Colorado Historical Society

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3. Old Colorado City Historic District

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The neighborhood known as Old Colorado City is where the original town was founded in 1860. It's former Wild West dens of vice (21 saloons in four blocks!…

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6. Manitou Cliff Dwellings

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