Very nice place to visit! I went there once almost 30 years ago, and the visit has remained one of…read moremy favorite memories about Colorado. So much has changed compared to today! The waterfall is still beautiful though! As mentioned in other reviews, I would highly recommend making your reservation online before your visit. Try to get the earliest time slot available. Also, wear good walking shoes and bring enough water! It seems like the way you get to Seven Falls has changed quite a bit. I don't remember having to park downhill and take a shuttle to the entrance. The walk to the waterfall, although still beautiful, also feels narrower and more developed than I remember. There are more walkways and structures along the way, which make the experience feel a little more tourist-oriented, or, as I kept thinking, a little "Disneyfied." It's still a beautiful walk, but perhaps not quite as natural or rustic as I remember it from 30 years ago. We went on a Sunday morning in September, and the weather was beautiful. We arrived shortly after 9 a.m. and had no trouble finding parking. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for the next shuttle. If you purchased your tickets ahead of time, they simply scan them while you're waiting in line, so the process was very quick. The shuttle drops you off by the big fence. From there, you walk to the waterfall. It is an uphill walk, but not too steep, and the walkway follows alongside a beautiful stream. Along the way, there is a tunnel you can walk through, with an elevator at the end that takes you to a viewpoint and gift shop. There is also a staircase outside the tunnel that takes you to the same place. You can take the elevator back down or choose to use the stairs. After some more walking, you reach the waterfall. There is a seating area at the bottom where you can relax and enjoy the view. There are 224 stairs to climb if you want to get to the top of the waterfall, but that part is optional. You can admire the waterfall from the bottom. The stairs to the top are definitely tiring! Use the handrails whenever you can, and don't hesitate to stop and rest if you need to. Once you reach the top, there are two trails you can take for further exploration--one is shorter (20 min. round trip) and the other is longer (40 min.). There are signs to guide you. All of the staff members we encountered were friendly and helpful.

Seven Falls was absolutely, positively beautiful in every way. Words can't even describe it, but…read morehopefully these photos can convince you. Seven Falls started out with a semi-short shuttle ride to the actual scenery. From there, it just got more amazing. I understand how the steps could be strenuous for many, and it definitely wasn't easy, but a little stop to catch your breath is provided about midway through. I saw a couple people who didn't feel up to finishing the steps stopping at the rest point, taking some photos, and coming back down. The views were still stunning from that height. Heck, they're stunning from any height or viewpoint. There was also a little shop with delicious popsicles located before the steps. Clean bathrooms along the way as well. It all just seemed very well-thought-out. This was also partially due to the employees, who were all very helpful and pleasant. To put it simply, Seven Falls has it all-it's beautiful, clean, and unique. Amazing in every aspect, stunning from every angle. I felt immersed in the mountainscape from the first step out of that shuttle.

We loved our hike to st marys falls. St Marys is a moderate hike around 6.5 miles and 1394 feet of…read moreelevation gain. The main road to the falls parking lot is closed and you have to take gold camp road over. This is around 3 miles of dirt. Its narrow with some pot holes and also 2 tunnels you will need to go through. A lot of the road is very narrow and really only wide enough for just one car. So be prepared for a little bit of a hairy ride. it will be the 2nd parking lot on your right. There is a fairly large parking lot, however it fills up quickly especially on a weekend. If you want to do this you will want to arrive sooner rather than later. Dogs are allowed but are supposed to be on a leash. The parking lot for saint marys is the same as for some other trails over there, seven bridges and silver cascades being 2 of them. You will have to walk around 1 1/4 miles up a dirt road until you get to the trailhead. The trail follows a creek most of the trail. It is rocky and at times a little slick with the loose rock. It is beautiful, surrounded by forest. It was very magical and lovely. it felt so nice to be out in the woods. Mountain bikes and motorcycles are also allowed to use this trail. We did not see any motorcycles but there were a few mountain bikers. And they dont necessarily signal so well beware. There is a trash can at the trail head. Be sure to PACK out what you pack in! My friend and i were picking up garbage that people had left along the trail :( There is no reason to leave your garbage. Please take it with you.

Inadvertently found this trail while looking for a different place to hike with the pup, who is…read moreyoung and just learning how to be a good off leash hiking dog. I'm not 100% certain, but I think that you are allowed to take your dogs off leash on this trail. I certainly never saw any signs stating otherwise and out of maybe 10 dogs we saw, half were on leash and a half off. It was a beautiful hike however we were not prepared and did not have water or maybe a hiking stick for me, at least. The beginning part of the trail is a wide open fire lane, but once you get back there it's a trail with a gradual uphill climb the entire way that turns even steeper towards the end. I was definitely asking "how much longer" for the last half-hour and really regretting that I didn't have water with me as my sensitive back started to ache. On our way down as we passed other hikers, they were asking the same question about "how much longer". The gradual uphill climb the entire way can be a little much if you're not prepared for it and the journey back down to the car is much quicker since it's basically downhill the whole way. Took half the time to get down than it did to get up. The waterfall and stream were beautiful and soothing. Walking with shady tree cover much of the way and a stream next to us was a plus for the pup to get his first experience of playing in a stream. The pup definitely enjoyed himself most of all. We took this hike in early June and on our way back we got hit with a rainstorm that dropped the temperature about 20° and we were freezing and poured on by the time we got back to the car, so be prepared when coming here in the summertime!

I wanted some vibes like Garden of the gods but did not want the crowds so I checked out Red Rock…read moreCanyon Open Space! I was really impressed with this open space. Parking was easy, they had plenty of spots while I was visiting. They've got something for everyone! Hiking trails, bike park/paths, rock climbing (permit needed), an off leash dog park. I specifically went for the hiking trails. They were great for my 4 year old. When I go with him I try to look for trails under 3 miles. My only complaint is I wish they had real bathrooms by the parking lot. The porta potty was pretty gross. P.s. you can see garden of the gods from this park! They are pretty close to each other!

Colorado is the healthiest state in the US (this is fact, you can look this up on the CDC website)…read moreand I can see why. With such amazing hiking available, that is free to residents and visitors, all over the state, it encourages you to get outside and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Red Rock Canyon Open Space has a series of canyons and ridges sculpted by erosion of the area's uplifted rock strata. The ridges and canyons offer beautiful views that are photo worthy for those wanting to post to their social media (or hey, just keeping these photo keepsakes in your own camera roll is also fine too). Red Rock Canyon Open Space is dog friendly, with some off leash areas (where noted), and 11 trails that you can hike. The trails are anywhere from 1.7 miles to 5.4 miles, with a lot of pretty easy trails for those that are not as active but still want to partake in the journey. You can also see views of Garden of the Gods, which is nearby. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is not nearly as busy as Garden of the Gods (but highly recommend a visit there too, which is also dog friendly). From May 1 and Oct. 31, you can enter Red Rock Canyon Open Space between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.; during the rest of the year, the park closes at 9 p.m. There is free parking available and also one porta potty at the beginning of the trail (but I did not use it) and also trash cans (I did not see trash cans anywhere else in this open space). My husband and I visited Red Rock Canyon Open Space with our little girl dog. We came on a Sunday afternoon, a little after 1 pm. It was an overcast day, which was nice. But it was rather busy but not crowded. We were able to find a parking spot without any trouble. We only did 2 light trails but enjoyed the views. The trails we had were pretty easy for the most part. We also did see a handful of dogs during our visit. Please note that there is hardly any shade so make sure you plan accordingly (hat to shade your face, plenty of water, etc).

Super amazing quick little hike that you can drive up to near manitou springs with a good amount of…read morefree parking. The views from on top and bellow are spectacular and this is definitely meant for all ages. The twisty roads might be a little challenging for some drivers but it is definitely worth the drive if you can make it here!

This was a wonderful place that we visited recently, while we were visiting the Colorado Springs,…read more CO community. It was just west of town and it is a small waterfall on the Cheyenne creek. They is a parking lot on site, that can accommodate small and large vehicles as well as some small Class B or C campers. There is also a few hiking trails as well...for visitors that enjoy the outdoors.

This is such a beautiful trail. Easy access, not a lot of people, wide trail space, and the most…read moreamazing views. Only downside is the construction on the 2 ponds next to each other. Both are currently gated & 1 is entirely dried up. Other than that, this is my favorite trail in Colorado Springs.

One of the many beautiful walking trails in Colorado Springs. I came here for the first time this…read moreweek for a sunrise hike to beat the heat and was sad that I haven't come here sooner. The terrain is nice and easy, but still options for elevation. There were beautiful wildflowers, reservoirs and views of the mountains throughout. It's located right by Cheyenne canyon. Gait was closed before 5am...probably opens at 5, but you can still park on the street and easily access the park.

Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

Gorgeous canyon trail along a stream with small waterfalls and stream falls. Some climbing but…read morenothing too serious.

This is by far my most favorite hike in Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs. It starts out on the old…read moreexit road for Cave of the Winds.....before it was washed out permanently. **ALERT** In order to do this trail you have to go up to the Cave of the Winds to sign a waiver!! There is no cost, but since part of the trail is on their property you have to sign the waiver. The trail is shaded for most of the trail. The begining is the hottest part! You will see water falls and punch bowls. The trail can be difficult in some areas, but nothing kids 5 and up can't handle! If you need directions how to get to this trail, just let me know and I can give you turn by turn with street names!

I liked this hike! It took me about 30-40 minutes to get up, with some stops along the way for…read morepictures. The road was paved nicely. There are cool white structures you can climb on as you approach the main pulpit rock.

I've passed by this spot for ages and always thought about hiking to the summit. I finally made it…read morehappen! Parking is a breeze and right at the trailhead. There are tons of signs to guide you all the way up. This hike is really easy, making it perfect for families. The views from the top are amazing! You can see the entire west side of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, USAFA, and Pikes Peak. It took me around 45 minutes to reach the top from the parking area.

Beautiful park with a tiny lake and mountain views. Easy parking in two parking lots, a…read morewalking/running loop around the lake, a playground, and public bathrooms. This was an excellent place to go for a run alone while feeling safe and still being immersed in nature. On a Friday morning there were plenty of people walking around which made me feel safe but not over crowded. I saw ducks, turtles, and lots of birds. People were paddle boarding and kayaking. It is close to neighborhoods where you could potentially extend your run for mileage as the lake loop is about one mile around. I saw people reading and relaxing on a blanket in the grass and having professional photos taken, a great park for many activities!

It was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. Even though it was a busy day on the lake there…read morewas still plenty of parking and access to the water.

I feel this route needs a solid review from someone who is mathematically, grammatically and…read morealpinistically (I just made that up), "inclined". First of all, this is probably the most beautiful yet somewhat challenging short hike in town. If you want a snapshot of the grandeur awaiting you beyond the I25 corridor (and cell phone range) this is it! Absolutely beautiful. The short: for the average person of moderate or lacking fitness level, it should absolutely be doable. I would say the normal person could knock it out in less than 4 hours (with picture/selfie taking along the way and up top). Decent fitness levels should be up and down in less than 2 hours... Don't bring the cat-dog looking micro mutt as you will either be carrying it or burying it somewhere about the first hour of hiking. There is water throughout the trail so regular dogs should have a blast here. There is an issue with dog poo littering the parking lot and trails (despite free poo bags being offered at trail head... This hike is no joke. Wear proper shoes with decent traction. You can get hurt here! I would bring at least a liter (Nalgene bottle) of water during hot days. Although covered with trees throughout, the sun will beat down on you throughout the hike. I only say this because I passed a family of 5 about half way with no water. As far as short local hikes go, Stanley Canyon gets a Five from me. Awesome!

This hike is not for the faint of heart. It's a pretty steep hike up and coming back down can be…read morevery difficult if you have bad knees or don't have excellent tread on your hiking boots. Scree for days! But it's a beautiful one and a great workout.