Fall Things To Do In Colorado Springs
Last October, I stood at an overlook in North Cheyenne Cañon with lukewarm gas-station coffee and a friend who promised we were “just going for a quick drive.” Three hours lat...
Last October, I stood at an overlook in North Cheyenne Cañon with lukewarm gas-station coffee and a friend who promised we were “just going for a quick drive.” Three hours later, we’d photographed six elk, argued about the correct shade of gold, and missed our dinner reservation. That is fall in Colorado Springs.
It’s not one attraction you check off a list. It’s a series of golden detours, chilly mornings, and very smug locals in fleece. If you’re planning a visit, here’s how to fill a weekend without accidentally deciding to move here. (You will think about it.)
Chase the Gold Before It Ghosts You
Fall color here is less “autumn wonderland” and more “blink and you’ll miss it.” Peak aspen usually arrives late September through mid-October, depending on elevation and weather drama. Check local color reports, then go early.
Must Read
Pikes Peak Highway
Driving up Pikes Peak in fall is like riding an escalator through the seasons. You start in warm gold, climb into crisp air, and end somewhere that demands gloves. The altitude is no joke, so drink water.
Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
This loop through Cripple Creek and Victor delivers aspen, mining history, and endless pullouts. Some roads are gravel and not friendly to low-clearance cars.
Hike Into the Postcard
You don’t need a 14er to feel like you earned your pumpkin ale. Colorado Springs has shorter trails with big fall payoff. Start early, because parking lots fill fast.
North Cheyenne Cañon and Seven Falls
North Cheyenne Cañon is the kind of place where every turn looks staged. Seven Falls adds a dramatic staircase and evening lights. Wear shoes with actual tread, not your favorite white sneakers.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon mixes red sandstone, golden scrub oak, and Pikes Peak views. Watch for mountain bikers and dogs with main-character energy.
Section 16 and Mount Cutler
Section 16 is steep enough to feel real but short enough to fit before lunch. Mount Cutler is gentler and overlooks Manitou Springs. Bring layers, because the shade gets cold fast.
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Do the Tourist Thing, But Better
Yes, everyone tells you to see Garden of the Gods and the zoo. They’re not wrong. They just don’t tell you how to dodge the crowds.
Garden of the Gods at Sunrise
Sunrise at Garden of the Gods is the cheat code. Crowds are thin, light is soft, and the red rocks glow like they’re showing off.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is a solid October family pick, with costumes, treats, and mildly confused animals. The zoo sits on a mountain, so you’ll get a workout whether you planned one or not.
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Cog Railway is a cozy way to get high-altitude views without driving switchbacks. Fall makes the trip extra pretty, especially when the lower slopes turn gold. Book ahead.
Get Spooky, Get Cozy, Get Cider
Once the sun drops, Colorado Springs gets a little haunted and a lot cozy. This is the season for ghost stories, cider donuts, and pretending you’re not cold. You are cold. Buy the blanket.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races
Manitou Springs hosts the Emma Crawford Coffin Races, which is as weird and wonderful as it sounds. Teams race coffins down the street while crowds cheer like it’s the Olympics of the afterlife.
Best Places In Colorado For Fall Colors at Carlos Schneck blog
Ghost Tours in Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs has enough history and mystery to make a ghost tour genuinely fun. You’ll hear stories about old hotels, mineral springs, and spirits who never got the memo to leave.
Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches
Head to nearby farms for apples, pumpkins, and hayrides that make you feel like a kid again. Happy Apple Farm in Penrose is popular, but check hours before driving out.
Practical Fall Stuff Nobody Tells You
Fall weather here is a drama queen. It can be 70 and sunny at lunch, then windy and 40 by dinner. Layers are not optional; they’re survival.
Altitude is real, even if you’re just walking around. Drink more water than you think you need, and take it easy on day one. Your headache will thank you.
Weekends are busy during leaf-peeping season. Go on a weekday if you can, or start before 8 a.m. and act smug later.
Final Thought
Colorado Springs in fall isn’t a perfectly curated postcard. It’s messy, golden, chilly, and occasionally crowded. But if you time it right, you’ll get an afternoon that sticks with you longer than the pumpkin spice.
