Between snowcapped mountains and high desert plains, whitewater rapids and natural hot springs, South Central Colorado has it all. Grab your outdoor gear and explore its many natural wonders.
Use Colorado Springs, the second-largest city in the state, as a jumping-off point to explore the region. Take tours of the United States Olympic Training Center and the US Air Force Academy. Visit the city’s many cultural institutions, such as the May Natural History Museum and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Just outside the city, wander through Garden of the Gods, a collection of dramatic red sandstone formations.
More of the great outdoors awaits in the region’s many nationally designated wildernesses. In Pike National Forest drive or hike to the top of the famous Pikes Peak and enjoy stunning panoramic views. Explore the alpine valleys, high deserts and mountain slopes of Rio Grande National Forest. In San Isabel National Forest, find 19 of the state's 53 fourteeners, or mountain peaks over 14,000 feet (4,270 m) high. Mount Elbert, the highest point in the state, sits within the forest.
Explore the otherworldly undulating landscape of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. The sandy dunes, the largest of which rises 750 feet (229 meters) into the sky, stretch for miles.
Traverse the rushing Arkansas River across the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the world’s highest suspension bridges. Cross it by foot to peek down into one of the state’s deepest canyons, known as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas.
Discover many small towns dotted throughout South Central Colorado. In Cripple Creek, learn about the town’s rich mining history. Use Cañon City as a home base to go whitewater rafting and rock climbing along the Arkansas River. Explore the museums and fairgrounds of Pueblo.
Explore South Central Colorado any time of year. Take scenic routes along the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway, which snakes over soaring mountain forests. For a unique sightseeing experience, take a daytrip on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad or the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
