Colorado Springs

Red sandstone towers, a 14,115-foot summit and mineral springs at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, about 70 miles south of Denver.

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Colorado Springs is a city in central Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. People come for Garden of the Gods, a city park of red sandstone towers that costs nothing to enter, and for Pikes Peak, which rises to 14,115 feet above the city. You can reach the summit by road or on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which starts from Manitou Springs, the small town at the mountain's base known for its mineral springs and shops. Old Colorado City, with its historic brick storefronts on West Colorado Avenue, is a short drive from the park.

Hikers get the most from the trip, since trails run through the parks and up the mountain. At this altitude the weather can change quickly, so pack layers and water. Late spring through early fall is the most practical window for outdoor plans. Two days covers the park, the summit and Manitou Springs at an easy pace. Denver is about 70 miles north, so a day trip is possible if you would rather sleep there.

Colorado Springs in five

Visit Garden of the Gods first, and for freeThe park is free to enter, open from 5am, and has a visitor center with a summer shuttle. Go early for light, quiet trails and easy parking.Garden of the Gods
Reserve Pikes Peak for a clear dayYou can reach the summit by the Pikes Peak Highway or the Cog Railway. Book ahead in summer and check the forecast, because clouds often hide the view and the top is cold.Denver or Colorado Springs
Spend an evening in Manitou SpringsThe small town at the foot of the mountain has soda springs, arcades, cafés and the start of the Manitou Incline. It makes a calmer base than the highway hotels.
Allow for altitude and afternoon stormsThe city is at about 6,000 feet and the summit above 14,000. Start hikes early in summer, because thunderstorms are common in the afternoon.
Fly into Denver and drive southDenver International is 1–1.5 hours away by car, and Colorado Springs has a smaller airport. Many visitors combine both cities on one trip.Denver travel guide

Things to do in Colorado Springs

See all attractions in Colorado Springs

Hike · Colorado SpringsGarden of the Gods Visitor & Nature CenterGo on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid crowds.

Museum · Colorado SpringsColorado Springs Pioneers MuseumGo on a weekday for a quieter visit.

Sight · Colorado SpringsAir Force Academy

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Colorado SpringsPut the places you like in Colorado Springs on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Colorado Springs (COS); most visitors fly into Denver (DEN)
Getting around: Car recommended; Garden of the Gods has a summer shuttle
Best base: Manitou Springs or near Garden of the Gods
Time needed: 1 long day from Denver, or 2 days with Pikes Peak
Garden of the Gods: Free; open 5am–10pm May to October, 5am–9pm in winter Read more

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-8°Cold, snow
FebruaryClear6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-7°Cold, sunny
MarchClear6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low-3°Spring snow
AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh15°Low1°Mild, windy
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low6°Green, mild
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low12°Warm, busy
JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low15°Hot, storms
AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low14°Hot, storms
SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh25°Low11°Clear, mild
OctoberClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh17°Low3°Fall color
NovemberClear4 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh11°Low-2°Cool, quiet
DecemberClear3 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-6°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Colorado Springs, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Colorado Springs

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 3°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 38 km/h
Chance of rain: 52%

Colorado Springs

01:38 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-7

Today13°3°52%Monday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 52%.
Tue12°2°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
Wed13°6°57%Wednesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 57%.
Thu14°6°23%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 23%.
Fri14°8°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sat15°7°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sun12°5°4%Sunday: Clear. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.

Updated 01:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Manitou Springsabout 10 minutes by carSoda springs, shops and the Incline trailhead.
Pikes Peakabout 30–45 minutes by car to the baseA 14,115-foot summit by highway or railway.
Denverabout 1–1.5 hours by carMuseums, beer and the A Line to the airport.Read the guide

Before you go to Colorado Springs

Rental car from Denver1–1.5 hours south on I-25Compare cars

Guided Pikes Peak tourSummit and Garden of the GodsCompare day trips

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAMedical cover for US visitsRead the guide

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Rules for Colorado Springs, checked

Garden of the Gods is free to enter. Park hours are 5am–10pm May 1 to October 31 and 5am–9pm November 1 to April 30.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

Plan around Colorado Springs

Denver or Colorado Springs

Which base fits a Colorado trip

Read the guide Denver travel guide

The airport city, 1–1.5 hours north

Read the guide Rocky Mountain National Park

The classic park trip from Denver

Read the guide Boulder travel guide

Flatirons and a walkable downtown

Read the guide Aspen travel guide

Mountain town and fall color

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and road trips

Read the guide

Colorado Springs FAQ

Is Colorado Springs worth visiting?

Yes, for Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and Manitou Springs. It is a smaller, more outdoors-focused city than Denver, and it suits one or two days rather than a long stay.

Is Garden of the Gods free?

Yes. Entry to Garden of the Gods costs nothing, and the grounds open early in the morning. The visitor and nature center keeps its own hours, and a free shuttle runs in summer, so check the park's site before you plan around either.

How far is Colorado Springs from Denver?

Roughly an hour to an hour and a half south on I-25, longer in rush hour. A day trip works, though one night in Manitou Springs buys an early, quiet start in the park.

Can you drive up Pikes Peak?

You can drive the Pikes Peak Highway or take the Cog Railway from Manitou Springs. In summer, reserve ahead, pack warm layers and check the forecast the same morning, since the summit is far colder and cloudier than town.

Should I stay in Denver or Colorado Springs?

Denver for nightlife, museums and the airport train; Colorado Springs for Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Base in Denver and visit Colorado Springs for a day unless the outdoors is your main aim.