Best Parks in Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs, CO Parks & Recreation Guide

Colorado is known for its outdoor pursuits, incredible parks, gorgeous scenery, golf courses, and being home to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Colorado Springs is a mere 65 miles south of Denver and boasts some of the best parks in the state that offer recreational activities and outstanding sporting facilities, all set against a backdrop of Pikes Peak and the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1871 as a resort town, residents and visitors alike can enjoy endless blue skies and stunning parks to explore. The following parks in and around Colorado Springs are all worth a visit.

Palmer Park

Address: Palmer Park, 3344-3376 Paseo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

For those looking for a great park with incredible views, a visit to Palmer Park is a must. Located in the center of Colorado Springs, Palmer Park offers its visitors an escape into nature to admire the majestic Pikes Peak. The park has 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, along with some of the best picnic spots in the Springs.

With three volleyball courts, a soccer field, and two baseball fields, there's plenty to choose from at Palmer Park. Kids can have fun at the community playground, and the Botanical Reserve and Seven Castles are geological points of interest. That's not all: horseback riding is also a popular pastime.

Garden of the Gods

Address: Garden of the Gods, 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

A registered national landmark, the Garden of the Gods is a world-class nature and visitor center that comes alive with the most spectacular towering red rock formations, set against a backdrop of the snow-capped Pikes Peak.

Visiting Garden of the Gods is a one-of-a-kind experience where people will find a living history museum, the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, and a visitor center that is second to none. Learn how these remarkable red rocks formed in the Geo-Trekker Theater screening every 20 minutes. Explore a wide variety of interesting facts about the park, including geology, ecology, wildlife, and cultural history.

With so many things to do, including technical rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and guided nature walks, the day will pass by quickly, prompting visitors to want to return again and again.

The park is a photographer's dream, where they can capture the most spectacular scenery Colorado Springs has to offer. Take in the popular Siamese Twins trail for a unique photograph of Pikes Peak framed by magnificent rock formations. The Gateway and Balanced Rocks make outstanding backdrops for photography enthusiasts, an experience they won't want to miss.

Bear Creek Nature Center Amenities

Address: Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Set in the rolling foothills of Pikes Peak, Bear Creek Nature Center is a regional park famous for its hiking trails, horseback riding, running, and cycling. Those up for a tennis game will look no further than this fabulous park that also features a community garden. Special events are held inside the nature center, where visitors can also enjoy multi-media presentations and interpretive programs.

As people explore this wonderful treat of nature, they'll find the most developed part of the park that includes beautiful picnic areas with five pavilions, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, horse stables, an archery range, tennis courts, and three playing fields. Bear Creek flows through this area, alongside various connecting trails where the main loop is stroller-friendly.

Bear Creek Dog Park offers dogs the opportunity to play with one another. There are large areas for dogs to run, along with an agility training area. With two sections to choose from, one for small dogs and one for larger dogs, it can be challenging for dog owners to convince their dogs it's time to leave.

Quail Lake Park

Address: Quail Lake Park, 915 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Quail Lake Park is one of the most popular and scenic city parks in Colorado Springs, bordering Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard and Quail Lake Road. Nestled between hills and surrounded by trees, this beautiful lake offers great views of the mountains.

With various recreational activities centered on the 22-acre Quail Lake, this unique park features a basketball court and two sand volleyball courts. The 1.1-mile Quail Lake Loop runs around the perimeter of the lake, complete with a picnic pavilion and playground. Visitors will also find a boat ramp and two fishing piers located at the northeast parking area.

For those interested in boating, fishing, hiking, running, bicycling, picnicking, or sledding, this is the park to visit. The lake is regularly stocked by the state's wildlife division, giving avid fisherman the chance to find rainbow trout, striped bass, bluegill, or wiper at the end of their line.

Perfect for stand-up paddling, Quail Lake is graced with plenty of surface water. For a summer's day adventure, visitors can bring a paddleboard, life jacket, water-friendly shoes, and sunscreen to enjoy a day out on the lake.

Memorial Park

Address: Memorial Park, 1605 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Memorial Park has a wide range of sporting facilities, including a recreation center with an indoor and outdoor pool, access to Prospect Lake, and many hiking trails. On a beautiful day, visitors can admire sailboats, rowboats, paddle boats, and canoes, which are available to rent at the park. However, Memorial Park's standout feature is the Sertich Ice Center, a public ice arena with bleacher seating for 2,000 people.

Memorial Park hosts Colorado's largest balloon festival, the Labor Day Lift Off, which is held every year on Labor Day weekend. There are plenty of picnic areas for visitors to choose from to spend the day with friends and family. With baseball, softball, and football fields, along with basketball and tennis courts, there's something for every sporting enthusiast to engage in at Memorial Park.

Visit These Parks in Colorado Springs Today

Sitting at the foot of one of America's most famous landmarks, it's easy to understand why so many people want to visit or live in Colorado Springs. Whether they're interested in playing sports, attending events, seeing incredible views, or learning more about nature in the area, visitors have many choices when it comes to parks that offer outstanding facilities and unique features in Colorado Springs. Whether home is an out-of-the-way luxury home or a condo downtown, there's a park near you to enjoy.

If you're inspired by the opportunities in Colorado Springs, contact The Military Home Search Team of eXp Realty at (719) 338-7294 to get in touch with a local real estate agent and find the ideal Colorado Springs home for you today.