Things to do in El Paso County

Step onto the campus of the US Air Force Academy to discover what goes into the training of the country's elite air force personnel. Every year, the military institution puts hundreds of cadets through a rigorous 4-year academic program.

The rugged landscape of the western states of America has long been central to the region’s reputation as the Wild West and the Garden of the Gods is a stunning example of this terrain. As the low, grassy plains around Denver give way to dense woodlands, a series of rock formations rise dramatically upwards. These phenomenal red rocks are the centerpieces of the 1,367-acre (553-hectare) Garden of the Gods park, a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and other lovers of the great outdoors.

Pikes Peak is the second most visited mountain, after Mount Fuji in Japan, so you can be sure of an awe-inspiring experience. It stands 4,300 metres above sea level and is the most easterly peak in the Rocky Mountains, hence the old pioneer saying “Pikes Peak or Bust”. A trip to the top of this mountain, named after the explorer Zebulon Pike who first led an expedition here in 1806, will reward you with stunning panoramic views across the Rockies and the four surrounding states.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a large complex on the side of a mountain. Laying claim to being America’s only mountain zoo, it sits at an altitude of 6,800 feet (2,100 meters) above sea level. The 140-acre (57-hectare) site is home to more than 800 animals representing over 200 species.

Venture deep into a vast underground cave network, hold on tight for hair-raising rides and enjoy stunning canyon views at the Caves of the Winds. There are adventures and activities for all the family at a natural wonder that was formed 500 million years ago.

Glen Eyrie Castle is a large 19th-century house built for the founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer. The English Tudor-style castle was constructed in 1871 and sits on 800 acres (324 hectares) of grounds in the Rocky Mountains. Today the castle and its estate is owned by a Christian organization called The Navigators

Go biking, hiking and camping in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, a wilderness expanse at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain. The diverse terrain comprises 2,701 acres (1,093 hectares) and encompasses prairies and forested areas.