Park Activities

Archery

The archery range is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. It is accessed off of Highway 115 at Pine Oaks Road, directly across from Fort Carson Gate #5. All vehicles must have a valid parks pass ($10 per vehicle/per day). Self-serve day passes are available on site. Payment can be exact cash, checks, or credit cards. The target range features a covered shooting line with targets between 10 and 80 yards. Use of this range is included with your park pass.

The south-side Field/3D range requires an additional individual permit for anyone 17 and older and features 28 NFAA targets and additional 3D animal targets throughout. Individual permits for this range are available on site for $3/day, or you may purchase an annual permit at the Visitor Center for $30. The Field/3D Pass is in addition to the day or annual Parks Pass and is carried on the individual archer. No broadheads or crossbows are allowed on any of the archery ranges.

For further details, visit the archery page or call the visitor center at (719) 576-2016.

Biking

The park has a great trail system for bikers of all ability levels. The trails interconnect with each other to make for a ride as short or long as you want with mixes of fast flowing trails, single track, and others with gradual climbs. Beginners and experts alike can create their own riding experience.

There is a mix of short-grass prairies, Gambel oak woodlands, and ponderosa pine/Douglas fir forests on the 19 trails totaling about 23.5 miles that are available to explore by bike.

From easy, family-friendly trails, like Sundance, to more difficult single track style trails, like Medicine Wheel, there are plenty to choose from. For a longer excursion, extend the ever-popular Talon trail ride to include N. Talon to the turnoff for the Dixon trail.

PLEASE NOTE: The first 2.5 miles of the Dixon trail is open to bikers, hikers, and equestrian users, so please remember the yield triangle for proper trail etiquette. At the 2.5 mile turnaround point, enjoy great views and a rock bench to rest. After that point, bikers and equestrian riders must turn back as the Dixon trail continues at a steep grade with tight, rocky switchbacks and is only open for foot traffic.

To protect the park’s fragile ecosystems, dogs are only allowed on certain trails. Smoking is not permitted on the trails.

Boating

We do NOT have any water features within the park, but you can register watercraft at the Visitor Center.

Dog-friendly

Dogs are welcome in the developed areas of the park, to include parking lots, paved roads, picnic areas, the campground, and a few designated trails. Dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times and waste must be packed out.

Dog-friendly trails include: Acorn Alley, Bobcat Way, Racoon Ridge, and a portion of Soaring Kestrel.

The park has fragile ecosystems and diverse wildlife. Dogs are not allowed on several trails or in backcountry areas to help us maintain this incredible resource.

Education Programs

We love to introduce the park to people and to share all the cool things about it. There are so many ways to explore, learn, and have fun at Cheyenne Mountain.

We have an award-winning Junior Ranger Program for ages 5 and up that was created by and sponsored by the Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Complete the Jr Ranger booklet for a CMSP badge and patch. The current Junior Ranger Program booklet is brand new as of Spring 2022.

The Friends of CMSP also maintain annual, comprehensive lists of the park’s wildflowers and birds, and detailed trail and history information and sponsor the Cheyenne Mountain Run in October.

We are happy to be a part of Agents of Discovery… a free app for your smartphone. Our own Agent, Barry Bear will send kids on investigative missions through the park’s trails. The missions change 3-4 times a year.

We also have diverse offerings of in-person educational and interpretive programs. Some of the programs we may offer range from family mystery hikes, guided wildflower and bird watching hikes, wildlife interpretive programs, beginning archery classes, painting in the park, beginning disc golf, moonlight hikes, beginner mountain biking classes and more. Events are posted on the calendar on the park’s main webpage, but for the most current information, check us out and follow us on Facebook. All events and updates are posted there first.

Don’t have a park pass? Did you know that you can check out a park pass and discovery backpack from most Colorado Libraries?

Geocaching

Hit the trails with the world’s largest treasure hunt. Combining gadgets and nature, geocaching is a fun and exciting way to explore the park’s trails and generous open space. Over 15 caches are hidden in the park (many by Cheyenne Mountain State Park) with clues posted on the internet. GPS users use the parks cache coordinates found at www.geocaching.com.

Golfing

The nine-hole disc golf course in the Meadows Campground is a fun way to spend time outside with friends and family. Need discs? We rent them at the Visitor Center and can also provide scorecards and a map of the course. Give us a call for more information: (719) 576-2016.

Group Picnicking

The Prairie Skipper Pavillion is the perfect setting for your next event. With spectacular views, the area will accommodate up to 200 people and has parking for 85 vehicles. The area includes a pavilion with electric service, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a parking area.

Reservations are necessary and a fee is required for use. Reservations are accepted through the Cheyenne Mountain State Park Visitor Center.

Hiking

The park’s winding trail system is perfect for a quick hike after a busy day or a longer visit to climb up the mountain for great views.

Visitors can wander through short-grass prairies, Gambel oak woodlands, and ponderosa pine/Douglas fir forests. There are now 21 trails to explore with over 27 miles to hike.

The challenging Dixon trail system accesses the top of Cheyenne Mountain but requires a 17+ mile round trip hike, so do your research before you head out for that hike.

Trail Notes:

• The trails are opened for multi-use, so always follow trail etiquette to keep your visit fun and safe.
• Equestrian use is allowed on specific trails (clearly marked on the trail map) with parking and an access gate located at the East end of the Limekiln Trailhead lot.
• Dog access is only allowed on specified trails. All other trails are strictly prohibited to dogs.
• Please, to protect the park’s fragile ecosystems, smoking of any kind is not permitted on the trails.

Find out more on the CMSP Trails page.

Horseback Riding

Prepare for some great rides with friends…whether they are people or horses! All the information you need to understand the designated trails can be found on the Equestrian Information page.

OHV Riding

We do NOT allow motorized OHV/ATV use on our trail system. However, you can register an OHV/ATV at the Visitor Center.

Picnicking

There are 22 day-use picnic sites complete with table and grill. One of these sites is universally accessible. Restroom facilities and trail access is adjacent to the picnic area parking lot.

Peak-to-valley views compliment each site.

Picnic sites are available first come, first served. Sites are open for use from sun up to sun down. There is no cost to use the picnic sites, they are included with your park pass fee.

Snowmobiling

We do NOT have the weather or terrain for snowmobiling. However, you can register a snowmobile at the Visitor Center.