Things To Do in Colorado Springs for Military Families
Colorado Springs is one of the best duty stations in the country for outdoor recreation and family activities. With Pikes Peak as your backyard and Denver an hour north, there is no shortage of things to explore. And with military discounts, many of the region's best attractions are very affordable.
Military Discount Table — Major Attractions
| Attraction | Regular Price | Military Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak Cog Railway | $60/adult | ~20% off | Verify at pikespeakcogway.com; seasonal |
| Garden of the Gods | FREE | Free | No admission charge; visitor center has small fee |
| Denver Zoo | $25/adult | $5–$8 off per person | Show military ID at gate |
| Denver Museum of Nature & Science | $22/adult | Free on Armed Forces Day | Check museum website for current military offers |
| Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | $24/adult | Free for active duty + family | Must show CAC or military ID |
| US Olympic & Paralympic Museum | $27/adult | Free for active duty | One of Colorado Springs' premier new attractions |
| Royal Gorge Bridge | $32/adult | $5–$10 off | 90 min south; verify at royalgorgebridge.com |
| Cave of the Winds | $32/adult | 10–15% off | Manitou Springs, 10 min west of post |
| Seven Falls | $16/adult | Discounted at Outdoor Rec | Buy tickets through Fort Carson Outdoor Rec |
| ProRodeo Hall of Fame | $10/adult | Free for active duty | Unique Colorado Springs attraction |
| Elitch Gardens (Denver) | $65/adult | Up to 40% off through MWR | Purchase through Fort Carson / Peterson MWR office |
Free Activities Near Fort Carson & Peterson SFB
- Garden of the Gods: World-class red rock formations with free admission and 15+ miles of hiking trails. Perfect for families of all fitness levels. Located 15 min from Fort Carson, 20 min from Peterson.
- Pikes Peak Highway: Drive to the 14,115 ft summit for free (no toll charge; the Cog Railway is separate). Best in summer and early fall — check weather before driving.
- Red Rock Open Space: 1,320 acres of hiking and climbing southeast of Manitou Springs. No fee, dog-friendly, multiple difficulty levels.
- Colorado College Campus: Free to walk around; the Tutt Library is open to the public and a beautiful study space.
- Manitou Springs: Walk the historic downtown, visit the natural mineral springs (free tasting), browse independent shops. 15 min from Fort Carson.
- Bear Creek Regional Park: 2,200 acres with equestrian trails, dog park, and disc golf course. Free admission.
- Palmer Park: 730-acre city park in northeast Colorado Springs with mountain bike trails and rock formations. Free. Near Peterson SFB.
Hiking Near Pikes Peak
- Barr Trail (Pikes Peak Summit): 13 miles one-way, 7,400 ft elevation gain. Challenging full-day or overnight. Trailhead in Manitou Springs.
- Crags Trail: 4 miles round trip, relatively easy, stunning views of Pikes Peak from the northwest. Near Divide, CO (40 min).
- Catamount Trail: 7 miles, moderate difficulty, forest trail with views. Near Woodland Park (45 min west).
- Mount Cutler Trail: 2.5 miles, family-friendly, great views of Colorado Springs. Trailhead near Cheyenne Canyon.
- North Cheyenne Cañon Park: Multiple trails of varying difficulty right in Colorado Springs. Free parking in early morning.
Day Trips from Colorado Springs
- Denver, CO (1 hour north): Mile High City has world-class restaurants, sports (Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche), the Denver Art Museum, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
- Royal Gorge (1.5 hours south): Dramatic canyon and suspension bridge near Cañon City. White water rafting available on the Arkansas River.
- Breckenridge / Keystone (2 hours northwest): World-class ski resorts with significant military discounts. Worth the drive in winter and summer.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park (2.5 hours south): Surreal North American tallest sand dunes at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Spectacular and free with America the Beautiful pass.
- Rocky Mountain National Park (2 hours north): Elk, moose, alpine tundra, and stunning scenery. Get your free America the Beautiful pass at any National Park entrance (active duty active 100% free).
Seasonal Events
- Spring (March–May): Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (June), Colorado Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade, Manitou Springs Emma Crawford Coffin Races
- Summer (June–Aug): Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (July, free military night), Colorado Springs Philharmonic outdoor concerts, Art on the Streets downtown
- Fall (Sep–Nov): Colorado Springs Wine Festival, Pikes Peak Half Marathon, haunted attractions at Cave of the Winds
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Pikes Peak Summit snowshoe tours, Zoo Lights at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, New Year's Eve fireworks at America the Beautiful Park
Looking for more to do? Check out spouse resources for community events and clubs, and the Moving to Fort Carson guide for first-30-days activity tips.