Colorado Springs

An outdoor city at the foot of Pikes Peak, with the red rocks of Garden of the Gods, the mineral-springs town of Manitou Springs, Seven Falls, and the Air Force Academy, plus the Royal Gorge Bridge nearby.

Colorado Springs, Colorado's second-largest city, lies about 110 km south of Denver at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, at an elevation of about 1,840 m, backed by 4,302 m Pikes Peak. Founded in 1871 by General William Palmer as a health resort, it is now home to the U.S. Air Force Academy, NORAD, and the headquarters of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The area divides into three parts: first, the red rocks and mountains to the west—Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, the spa town of Manitou Springs (starting point for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline), and Cave of the Winds; second, the Cheyenne Mountain area to the south, with Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and North Cheyenne Cañon; and third, the city and its northern suburbs, with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Old Colorado City, and the Air Force Academy. Day trips include the Royal Gorge Bridge, the gold-mining town of Cripple Creek, Florissant Fossil Beds, and the Paint Mines on the eastern plains. The best seasons are June–September (when the cog railway and Pikes Peak Highway are fully open and mountain weather is stable) and late September, when the aspens turn gold; summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so start hikes early in the morning; winters are sunny in town but cold in the mountains. The city is spread out and public transit is limited, so renting a car is recommended; it's about a 1.5-hour drive from Denver International Airport, and the city also has its own airport. At high altitude, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and watch for altitude sickness. Plan for 2–3 days. Note: in this guide, Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are listed under the Denver destination.

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