With its natural beauty that pops like a picturesque postcard, it’s no wonder so many families set their sights on Colorado Springs.
You can’t beat the city’s backdrop of breathtaking mountain views paired with easy access to outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and camping.
And if your pooch is part of the family, you’re in luck — Colorado Springs rolls out the welcome mat for dogs, too. Children of all ages can dive into hands-on wildlife exhibits, explore short scenic trails, meet animals at an interactive zoo, and enjoy a variety of themed rides.
Whether you’ve got a few days or a full week to explore, this guide will walk you through a few of the best family-friendly activities Colorado Springs has to offer. The city and its surrounding landscape provide something for everyone, from the outdoor enthusiast to the curious developing mind.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
How does a visit to the highest zoo in the U.S. sound? Perched at 6,714 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sits southwest of Colorado Springs and showcases exhibits spread across nearly 30% of its 140-acre property. You’ll find close to 170 species here, including endangered treasures such as:
- Canadian lynx
- Cape vulture
- White’s tree frog
- Okapi
- Mexican wolf
- Reticulated giraffe
- African lion
- Black-footed ferret
The zoo is best known for its giraffe conservation program, home to one of the largest herds in the country, and it participates in more than 25 other species survival programs. While there isn’t a traditional petting zoo, kids can enjoy hands-on feeding experiences with animals like goats and colorful budgies.
Before you go, take a scenic ride on the Mountaineer Sky Ride for aerial glimpses of Siberian tigers, grizzly bears, and Rocky Mountain goats. Or let the little ones whirl away on the charming Allan Herschell Carousel.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a breathtaking natural wonder, famous for its towering red rock formations framed by rolling hills. The park offers something for every age, with the flexibility to choose from hiking, horseback riding, or a stroll along its well-kept trails. Scenic viewpoints deliver sweeping views of Pikes Peak and the iconic Colorado foothills.
Start your visit at the free Visitor and Nature Center for maps, exhibits, and restrooms. You can join a guided nature walk, or for something a bit different, try a Segway tour — a fun, self-balancing ride that lets you cover more ground without the extra walking.
Guided vehicle tours take you on a scenic loop through the park. For an unforgettable finale, consider a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, located about 30 miles from Colorado Springs.
Bear Creek Nature Center
Originally built in 1976 as the Solar Trails Center, Bear Creek Nature Center has long been dedicated to educating visitors about the wildlife, history, and ecosystems of the foothills. Renovations in the early 1990s shifted the focus even more toward the unique foothill habitats.
The surrounding park offers two types of trails — nature trails and regional trails. Nature trails are reserved for foot traffic and do not allow pets, making them a peaceful place to spot mule deer, bobcats, and owls, or to admire native plants like scrub oak, ponderosa pine, and shortgrass prairie.
Regional trails, on the other hand, welcome hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and leashed dogs. These trails are great for mountain biking enthusiasts, while road cycling can be found on a variety of bike lanes throughout the city.
Inside the center, you’ll find interactive educational programs for individuals, families, and school groups. Kids can learn about honeybees, explore wildlife through touchable displays, and watch short nature films. Exhibits highlight plants such as moss and lichen, revealing the fragile microhabitats that make the foothills so ecologically rich.
