The destination guide
Colorado Springs
City in United States, North AmericaUpdated
- Overall8/10
- Best forSolo travelers
- PeakJan–Apr
- CurrencyUSD
Colorado Springs has Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Air Force Academy — a military-and-mountain city at 6,000 feet with Olympic-level ambitions.
Travel guides for Colorado Springs
Itineraries & day trips (1)
Things to do (1)
More guides featuring Colorado Springs (2)
At a glance
- English
- Rocky Mountain foothills
- Pike's Peak
- Garden of the Gods
- High desert
- Mountain Scenery
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Vacations
- Hiking & Biking.
How Colorado Springs scores
Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, weighed against destinations of the same kind.
Travel safety snapshot
SafePlace indicators use their source 100-point scale; higher is more favourable. Planning context, not a live travel advisory — check official government guidance before you go.
When to go
Best months to visit: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
- January: -9.5 to 3.7 degrees Celsius, 17.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- February: -9.1 to 5 degrees Celsius, 23.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- March: -4.6 to 9.9 degrees Celsius, 40.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- April: -0.8 to 14.4 degrees Celsius, 40.4 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- May: 4.7 to 18.8 degrees Celsius, 74.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- June: 11.1 to 26.4 degrees Celsius, 38.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- July: 13.9 to 28.9 degrees Celsius, 54.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- August: 13.2 to 27.6 degrees Celsius, 31.2 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- September: 9.6 to 24.8 degrees Celsius, 24.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- October: 2.1 to 17 degrees Celsius, 18.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- November: -3.8 to 9.9 degrees Celsius, 21.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- December: -7.1 to 6 degrees Celsius, 15.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
Month-by-month conditions and packing advice
- January
- Cold, mostly dry January in Colorado Springs: winter scenery and indoor attractions help, but outdoor access is less dependable. Crowds: January in Colorado Springs is best for winter-ready travelers; outdoor plans need warm gear, shorter daylight expectations, and weather-aware transport planning. Pack: Pack insulated layers, warm footwear, gloves, and a serious winter coat.
- February
- Cold, mostly dry February in Colorado Springs: winter scenery and indoor attractions help, but outdoor access is less dependable. Crowds: February in Colorado Springs is best for winter-ready travelers; outdoor plans need warm gear, shorter daylight expectations, and weather-aware transport planning. Pack: Pack insulated layers, warm footwear, gloves, and a serious winter coat.
- March
- Cold, occasional rain March in Colorado Springs: the destination remains active, though heat, storms, or early snow can affect timing. Crowds: March in Colorado Springs is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- April
- Cool to mild, occasional rain April in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak views, trails, and scenic drives are best in shoulder weather. Crowds: April in Colorado Springs is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- May
- Cool to mild, some rain May in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak views, trails, and scenic drives are best in shoulder weather. Crowds: May in Colorado Springs is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- June
- Mild to warm, occasional rain June in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak views, trails, and scenic drives are best in shoulder weather. Crowds: June in Colorado Springs is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- July
- Warm to hot, occasional rain July in Colorado Springs: the destination remains active, though heat, storms, or early snow can affect timing. Crowds: July in Colorado Springs is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- August
- Warm to hot, occasional rain August in Colorado Springs: the destination remains active, though heat, storms, or early snow can affect timing. Crowds: August in Colorado Springs is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- September
- Mild to warm, mostly dry September in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak views, trails, and scenic drives are best in shoulder weather. Crowds: September in Colorado Springs is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- October
- Cool to mild, mostly dry October in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak views, trails, and scenic drives are best in shoulder weather. Crowds: October in Colorado Springs is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- November
- Cold, mostly dry November in Colorado Springs: the destination remains active, though heat, storms, or early snow can affect timing. Crowds: November in Colorado Springs is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- December
- Cold, mostly dry December in Colorado Springs: winter scenery and indoor attractions help, but outdoor access is less dependable. Crowds: December in Colorado Springs is best for winter-ready travelers; outdoor plans need warm gear, shorter daylight expectations, and weather-aware transport planning. Pack: Pack insulated layers, warm footwear, gloves, and a serious winter coat.
- March
- February
- January
- April
- September
- August
- July
- June
Know before you go
About
Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a Front Range city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, best known as the gateway to Pikes Peak and the otherworldly red-rock formations of Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is a free 1,300-plus-acre park whose towering sandstone spires draw hikers, climbers, and photographers, while Pikes Peak rises to 14,115 feet and can be summited on foot, by car, or aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway; its summit view famously inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the poem that became “America the Beautiful.” The city is home to the United States Air Force Academy and its striking Cadet Chapel, as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and museum. With Manitou Springs, the Cave of the Winds, and Cheyenne Mountain nearby, Colorado Springs offers a concentrated mix of dramatic geology, military heritage, and high-country adventure.
Best time to visit
May to June, September to October
Season by season
Summer is peak season for hiking with warm weather. Spring and Fall offer mild temperatures. Winter brings snow, though less accumulation than the ski resort towns deeper in the mountains.
Crowds
Moderate to High
Getting there and around
Getting there
Fly into Colorado Springs Airport (COS) or Denver International Airport (DIA) and drive 1.5 hours.
Getting around
Car is essential to reach Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Downtown is walkable.
Top experiences in Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods
National Natural Landmark with towering red rock formations.
Pikes Peak
Drive, hike, or take the cog railway to the 14,115-foot summit.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
Series of seven cascading waterfalls in a box canyon.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America’s only mountain zoo with unique animal exhibits.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Editor-curated picks carried over from our original guide. Where a full place guide exists, the card links to it.
Worth booking ahead in Colorado Springs
Hand-picked from the operators our guides already send readers to. Prices and availability are live on the partner site.
BrowseViator
Tours and tickets in Colorado Springs on Viator (opens Viator in a new tab)
Viator's full list of bookable tours and tickets in Colorado Springs.
BrowseGetYourGuide
Experiences in Colorado Springs on GetYourGuide (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)
Everything GetYourGuide sells in Colorado Springs, with the cancellation terms on each listing.
Where to stayBooking.com
Stays in Colorado Springs (opens Booking.com in a new tab)
Live rates and availability for Colorado Springs on Booking.com; filter by neighbourhood once you know where your days start.
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It is how we keep the guides free and independent.
Where to stay
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
Iconic luxury resort with golf, spa, and dining.
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
3320 Mesa Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
Upscale resort with red rock views.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
415 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
Modern boutique hotel in downtown.
Editor-curated stays carried over from our original guide. Where we have reviewed the hotel, the card links to the review.
Tips from the field
Highlights
- The awe-inspiring red sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods, and the panoramic summit of Pikes Peak, 'America's Mountain'.
Best activities
- Driving or taking the Cog Railway up Pikes Peak, hiking the trails at Garden of the Gods, and visiting the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
Local experiences
- Challenge yourself with the grueling 2,744 steps of the Manitou Incline, a local rite of passage for fitness enthusiasts.
Practical tips
- The city sits at over 6,000 feet in elevation
- drink plenty of water to adjust. Renting a car is highly recommended as the major outdoor attractions are spread out.
Photography tips
- Shoot the Garden of the Gods at sunrise when the rising sun hits the red sandstone formations perfectly against the backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak.
Timing
- 3 to 4 days provides enough time to see the major natural sites, acclimate to the altitude, and explore Manitou Springs.
Keeping it authentic
- Colorado Springs offers an authentic slice of the American West, blending rugged outdoor culture with a strong military presence (Air Force Academy).
Culture, customs and safety
Safety notes
Generally a safe city for tourists. The main safety concerns are outdoor-related: altitude sickness, dehydration, and rapidly changing mountain weather including afternoon thunderstorms.
