20 Best Things to Do in Woodland Park, Colorado

1. Hiking and Nature Trails

Woodland Park is surrounded by some of Colorado's most beautiful and uncrowded hiking trails. You could spend a week here and never hike the same path twice.

Mueller State Park

Just 15 minutes from Woodland Park, Mueller State Park offers over 5,000 acres and 55 miles of trails ranging from easy meadow strolls to challenging ridge climbs. The Outlook Ridge Trail rewards hikers with panoramic views of Pikes Peak and the Sangre de Cristo range. The park is excellent for wildflower viewing in June and July, and elk sightings are common year-round. A daily vehicle pass costs $10.

Catamount Trail

The Catamount Trail begins right at the edge of town and follows Catamount Creek through pine forests and meadows. It is a moderate 6-mile out-and-back trail that is perfect for morning hikes. You will often have the trail largely to yourself, even on weekends.

The Crags

Located about 25 minutes from Woodland Park on the backside of Pikes Peak, The Crags trail is a 4-mile round trip that leads to a dramatic granite rock formation at 10,800 feet. The final scramble through the rocks is an adventure, and the views from the top are unforgettable. This trail is best from June through October.

Pancake Rocks

A family-friendly 2.5-mile loop in Mueller State Park, Pancake Rocks features unique layered rock formations that look exactly like a stack of pancakes. The interpretive signs along the way make it educational for kids.

2. Drive Pikes Peak Highway

The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile toll road that takes you to the 14,115-foot summit of America's Mountain. The entrance is just 20 minutes from Woodland Park, making it the most convenient base for this iconic drive. Expect the drive to take about two hours round trip, with frequent stops for photos and wildlife spotting.

At the summit, you will find the newly rebuilt Summit Visitor Center, which opened in 2021 and features the famous Pikes Peak donuts made at 14,000 feet. Reservations are required during peak season (June through September) and can be booked online at the City of Colorado Springs website. The toll is approximately $15 per adult.

Pro tip from our guests: go early in the morning for the clearest views and to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that build in summer. The sunrise drive is particularly spectacular.

3. Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a free public park in Colorado Springs, about 30 minutes from Woodland Park, featuring massive red sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of Pikes Peak. It was voted the number one park in the United States by TripAdvisor and draws millions of visitors annually for good reason.

Walk the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail (1.5 miles) for the classic views, or take the more adventurous Siamese Twins Trail for a frame-worthy photo of Pikes Peak through the twin rock formations. Rock climbing is permitted with a free permit. The park is open daily from 5 AM to 9 PM in summer and 5 AM to 7 PM in winter.

4. Fishing at Eleven Mile Canyon and Reservoir

Eleven Mile Canyon is a world-class fishing destination located about 45 minutes from Woodland Park. The South Platte River runs through the canyon, offering Gold Medal trout waters with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Eleven Mile Reservoir is equally impressive, with opportunities for ice fishing in winter and boat fishing in summer.

Other excellent fishing spots within easy reach include Rampart Reservoir (20 minutes), Manitou Lake (10 minutes), and Catamount Reservoir. A Colorado fishing license is required and can be purchased online at cpw.state.co.us.

5. Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest cog railway in the world, climbing 7,500 vertical feet to the summit of Pikes Peak. The round trip takes approximately three hours, including 40 minutes at the top. The train departs from Manitou Springs, about 25 minutes from Woodland Park.

Tickets sell out weeks in advance during summer, so book early. Adult tickets are approximately $58-$65. The railway operates from late May through early October, weather permitting. The experience is smoother and more relaxing than driving, and the narration adds historical context you would miss on your own.

6. Explore Manitou Springs

The quirky, artsy town of Manitou Springs is 25 minutes south of Woodland Park and deserves at least half a day of exploration. Walk the main drag to browse eclectic shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Sample the natural mineral springs at eight public fountains around town, each with a distinct mineral taste.

Do not miss the Manitou Cliff Dwellings (a preserved Ancestral Puebloan site), Miramont Castle (a Victorian-era mansion turned museum), and the Manitou Incline if you want a serious workout — 2,744 steps ascending 2,000 feet in just under one mile. It is one of the most challenging hikes in the state.

7. Cripple Creek Casinos and History

The historic gold mining town of Cripple Creek sits 30 minutes from Woodland Park and offers a fascinating blend of Old West history and modern-day entertainment. During the 1890s gold rush, Cripple Creek was one of the richest mining districts in the world, and the town has preserved much of that heritage.

Try your luck at one of the town's casinos (Bronco Billy's, Wildwood, and Midnight Rose are popular choices), ride the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine (descending 1,000 feet underground), or visit the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. The fall aspen viewing along the drive from Woodland Park to Cripple Creek is among the best in Colorado.

8. Mountain Biking

The Pikes Peak region is rapidly gaining recognition as a mountain biking destination. The Ring the Peak Trail system is an ambitious 62-mile loop that circles Pikes Peak, with trailheads accessible from Woodland Park. For intermediate riders, the Lovell Gulch trail system offers flowy singletrack through pine forests with moderate elevation gain.

Captain Jack's Trail in nearby North Cheyenne Canyon is legendary for advanced riders, while beginners can enjoy the paved trails around Rampart Reservoir. Several shops in Colorado Springs rent mountain bikes and offer guided rides.

9. Rock Climbing

Between Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Canyon, and The Crags near Woodland Park, rock climbers have access to hundreds of routes ranging from beginner to expert. Garden of the Gods offers world-class sandstone climbing with a free permit. The granite at The Crags provides a completely different climbing experience with excellent bouldering opportunities.

Front Range Climbing Company and other guide services in Colorado Springs offer half-day and full-day guided climbing experiences for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

10. Wildlife Viewing

Woodland Park is one of the best places in Colorado for wildlife viewing. Elk herds are commonly spotted in Mueller State Park and along Highway 67. Mule deer wander through town regularly. Black bears are present in the area (secure your trash!), and mountain lions, though elusive, inhabit the surrounding forests.

Birders will appreciate the diverse species in the region, including Steller's jays, mountain bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, and golden eagles. The Fountain Creek Nature Center in nearby Fountain offers guided birding walks. Bighorn sheep can often be spotted along Highway 24 between Woodland Park and Manitou Springs.

11. Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

Located right in Woodland Park on Highway 24, the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center houses an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils, marine reptiles, and prehistoric fish. What makes this museum special is that it is a working paleontology lab — you can watch technicians prepare real fossils through viewing windows. It is excellent for families with kids and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore.

12. Whitewater Rafting

Several outfitters in the region offer whitewater rafting trips on the Arkansas River, which features some of the most exciting rapids in the state. Bighorn Sheep Canyon offers Class II-III rapids suitable for families, while the Royal Gorge section delivers Class III-V thrills through a 1,000-foot deep canyon. Rafting season runs from May through August, with peak water levels in June.

13. Ziplining and Aerial Adventures

For an adrenaline rush, head to one of the aerial adventure parks near Manitou Springs or Colorado Springs. Adventures Out West and Pikes Peak Alpine School offer zipline tours with views of the mountains and Garden of the Gods. Some tours combine ziplining with rappelling and via ferrata for a full day of adventure.

14. Local Dining

Woodland Park has a surprisingly vibrant dining scene for a small mountain town. Joanie's Deli is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch, and Swiss Chalet Restaurant has been serving hearty European fare for decades. Grandmother's Kitchen is beloved for its home-style cooking and massive portions.

For craft beer, BierWerks Brewery and Rockyard Brewing Company are excellent choices. If you are craving upscale dining, head to The Wines of Colorado in nearby Green Mountain Falls, or drive 30 minutes to Colorado Springs for a wider selection of fine dining options.

15. Woodland Park Farmers Market

Every Friday from June through September, the Woodland Park Farmers Market takes over Memorial Park with local produce, artisan goods, baked treats, honey, jams, and live music. It is a wonderful way to spend a morning and pick up local ingredients for a meal back at your tiny home. The market runs from 7 AM to 1 PM.

16. Winter Activities

Woodland Park does not shut down when the snow falls — it transforms. Winter activities include:

• Snowshoeing in Mueller State Park on groomed trails
• Cross-country skiing at Crags Campground area and Mueller State Park
• Sledding and tubing at various spots in the national forest
• Ice fishing at Eleven Mile Reservoir and Rampart Reservoir
• Downhill skiing at Breckenridge (2 hours), Monarch Mountain (2 hours), or Ski Cooper (2.5 hours)
• Cozy evenings by the fireplace or firepit at your tiny home with hot cocoa and stargazing

Winter is actually a spectacular time to visit because rates are lower, crowds are thinner, and the snow-capped Pikes Peak views from our tiny homes are absolutely stunning.

17. Summer Events and Festivals

Woodland Park comes alive in summer with community events. The Woodland Park Farmers Market runs weekly, and the town hosts the Ute Pass Cultural Center events throughout the season. The Woodland Music Series brings live bands to outdoor venues. Nearby, Manitou Springs hosts multiple art festivals and the legendary Coffin Races every October.

The Fourth of July celebration in Woodland Park features a parade, fireworks, and community barbecue — small-town Americana at its finest.

18. Stargazing

At 8,465 feet and far from major city light pollution, Woodland Park offers exceptional stargazing. Mueller State Park is particularly excellent for night sky viewing, and several of our guests report that the stars from the firepit areas of our tiny homes are some of the best they have ever seen. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. If you are serious about astronomy, the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society hosts public star parties throughout the year.

19. Day Trips from Woodland Park

Woodland Park's central location makes it an ideal base for day trips throughout the Pikes Peak region and beyond:

• Colorado Springs (25 min) — Olympic Training Center, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, The Broadmoor
• Royal Gorge Bridge (1.5 hours) — One of the world's highest suspension bridges at 956 feet
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (30 min) — Ancient petrified sequoia stumps and insect fossils
• Buena Vista and Salida (1.5 hours) — Hot springs, Arkansas River rafting, charming downtown areas
• Denver (1.5 hours) — Museums, dining, sports, shopping

20. Where to Stay in Woodland Park

After a full day of exploring everything Woodland Park has to offer, there is nothing quite like returning to a cozy boutique tiny home with direct Pikes Peak views. Tiny Home Boutiques by DLJ Properties offers four handcrafted tiny homes that combine mountain charm with modern comfort.

Each property features flat screen TVs, free WiFi, and the kind of thoughtful touches you will not find in a standard hotel or cookie-cutter Airbnb. Three of the four homes have outdoor firepits for roasting marshmallows under the stars, and one features a cozy indoor fireplace. Rates start at just $56 per night when you book direct — saving you 10-15% compared to third-party platforms.

As Airbnb Superhosts with over 500 five-star reviews, we know what guests want: a clean, comfortable, beautifully designed space that feels like a retreat. Our tiny homes deliver exactly that, with Pikes Peak views that hotel rooms simply cannot match.