Fun outdoor activities and several unique wildlife experiences make Colorado Springs a year-round delight to visit. Just because the temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter doesn't mean there aren't plenty of ways to enjoy Colorado Springs in the winter. In fact, Colorado Springs is a great place to visit in the winter months.
It doesn't have the big-city feel of Denver, but with beautiful scenery and a few unique attractions, there are plenty of things to do in Colorado Springs in the winter. From a wolf encounter to a scenic drive to the top of the iconic Colorado 14er, there's something for everyone.
As a resident of Colorado for over 12 years, I am on a mission to visit Colorado as a local, not a tourist. If you want to learn how to enjoy the best of Colorado Springs in the winter, you've come to the right place. Nowhere else on the internet will you find better information on how to get the most out of your Colorado Springs adventure.
About this guide to Colorado Springs in winter
In this local guide to Colorado Springs in winter, you'll find:
- Colorado Springs winter weather data
- What to do in Colorado Springs in winter
- What to pack
- Additional local travel resources for Colorado
Does it snow in Colorado Springs in the winter?
That! Snow is possible throughout Colorado in the winter, and Colorado Springs is no exception. Between October and May, you can expect snow in Colorado Springs. With an average of 57 inches of snow per year, snow is certainly common. However, when it snows in Colorado Springs, it usually melts quickly thanks to the abundant sunshine.
How bad are the winters in Colorado Springs?
Compared to places in North America and New England, Colorado Springs has a fairly mild winter. But don't be fooled - it's absolutely cold and snows all winter long. Wild temperature swings are pretty common in Colorado with daily winter highs in the tweens and 50s (yes - it really is that intense).
February and March are generally the coldest months, with an average temperature of around 30 degrees and the lowest night temperature around 20 degrees. However, when the sun is out and the wind isn't blowing, things can be pretty mild in Colorado Springs in the winter. In any case, it is best to be prepared for the changeable weather and pack cold weather clothing.
What to do in Colorado Springs in winter
There are many great things to do in Colorado Springs in the winter. From viewing Christmas lights at the famous Broadmoor Resort to visiting a wolf sanctuary, you won't be bored. In fact, with so much to do in Colorado Springs in the winter, you'll find yourself in the season of snow fun!
Bezoek Cave of the Mountain Wind Park
Nearby Manitou Springs is home to many of Colorado Springs' winter activities. With constant indoor temperatures of 54 degrees, a visit to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park will feel like a mild spring day. Explore a wide variety of tours, from the Caving 101 tour where you can try your hand at caving (crawling through undeveloped parts of the cave) to the Lantern tour which focuses on the folklore, ghost stories and history of the cave.
Local tips: Advanced bookingsneeded.
Ride a cog railway
Search your way to the top of one of the bestColorado 14ers near Denver, but you don't feel like trudging through the snow? Ride the cog train to the top of Pike's Peak, a 14,115-foot peak that dominates the Colorado Springs skyline. As one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs in the winter, a trip to the top of this iconic peak is a must-do in Colorado. It is the only train that goes up the mountain, and from the top you have a panoramic view!
Join us for a jeep ride
Take a tour in an enclosed, heated Jeep to get outside in Colorado Springs this winter without freezing! Jeep tours are a great way to experience the wild side of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. You'll learn Fremont County's unique history, visit all of Colorado Springs' hot spots, and enjoy snow-free roads.
Posjetite Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Located in nearby Divide, the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center participates in the Species Survival Program to create a safe haven for Mexican gray wolves and swift foxes. The rescue and rehabilitation of these amazing animals allows the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center to organize educational tours of their facility. You can meet these endangered creatures on a paid tour that helps the center's mission.
Local tips:Advanced bookingsare mandatory, and excursions are more limited during the winter months.
Explore the Garden of the Gods
Home of some of thethe most beautiful walks in Colorado, Garden of the Gods is a must see. With over 21 miles of hiking trails (all suitable for beginners and a few paved trails) you can experience the charms of this red rockery. Seeing these snow-covered sandstone monoliths is a real treat, certainly one of thethe most beautiful places in Colorado.
Local tips:This is one of themtop attractions in Colorado, if you want some solitude, consider showing up before 7am or visiting during the week.
Snowshoeing near Colorado Springs
One thing's for sure, there are tons of great ones out thereHiking in Colorado Springs. Just because it's snowing doesn't mean you can put on your snowshoes and hit the trail. In fact, winter is a great time for a quiet hike in Colorado Springs. A few notable winter trails are:
- A walk through the garden of the gods
- Fell in Muller State Park
- Hiking near the Royal Gorge Bridge
Visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and park
About an hour and 20 minutes from Colorado Springs is the town of Canon City. Here you will find the famous onesKlimgebied Shelf Road(suitable in winter), and the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Hiking through the park is completely free and offers a beautiful view of the Arkansas River Gorge. You can also walk across the highest suspension bridge in America, 300 feet above the canyon floor. There is also a via ferrata (one of the best via ferratas in Colorado), cable cars, zip lines and more.
Local tips:A visit to the park costs $24 ($19 for children 6 to 12 years old), and other activities are charged extra.
Check out Manitou Cliff Residences
Manitou Cliff Dwellings is home to the Ancestral Pueblo people, whose civilization mysteriously disappeared in 1200 AD. Found throughout the American Southwest, this living museum is a replica of the Mesa Verde ruins in the southwestern corner of the state. This interactive museum allows anyone to enter and explore stunning structures that you might not otherwise be able to enter. It's a great way to learn about the unique and often overlooked history of the American Southwest.
Enjoy the ride
Jump through the snow on horseback in the iconic landscape of Colorado Springs. From horseback riding through Garden of the Gods Park to the Pikes National Forest, there are several ways to ride a western winter trail. There are rides that last from a few hours to an all-day excursion. Be sure to dress warmly, wear jeans, gloves and sturdy boots. Notable barns in Colorado Springs include:
- Manjež Academy
- Stables at Broadmoor
- The ranch of Mr. Louie C
- Rode Trail-Ranch
Soak in a hot spring
Located between Manitou and Colorado Springs, you'll find the famous Manitough Hot Springs, one of the best hot springs in Colorado. Sunwater Spa allows you to relax and recover. In the pools of Manitaugh Springs you can dive into the healing water rich in minerals. There is something magical about visiting thermal springs in winter. It simply warms the soul!
Posjetite Broadmoor i Seven Falls
Each year Broadmoor Resort puts on a unique holiday display. From the giant gingerbread displays to the impressive lights that twinkle through the gardens, this resort is worth a visit even if you're not an overnight guest. You can also take a shuttle bus to Seven Falls (one of thebest waterfalls in colorado), a beautiful gorge with seven different waterfalls.
What to wear in Colorado Springs in winter
Colorado Springs has changeable weather in the winter and the air is quite dry. You'll definitely want to pack plenty of water for your Springs adventure, especially if you're planningsnowmobiling in Colorado. Not to mention, you want to dress up the role. Here's what to wear in Colorado Springs this winter:
- Dress in layers! Wear long sleeves and pants with sturdy shoes that won't get wet when there's snow on the ground.
- or
- Sunglasses
- A joke
- Glove
- Warm woolen socks
- fleece layer
- Swollen layer
- waterproof layer for wind and snow
Additional local resources for Colorado travel
Heading to Colorado this winter? Check out these great local travel resources.
- Great places to visit in Colorado this winter
- Winter hikes in Colorado that you should not miss
- Things to do in Colorado this winter besides skiing
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FAQs
Is Colorado Springs fun in winter? ›
Colorado Springs' mild temps and ample sunshine make these year-round adventures the ideal way to play in the Pikes Peak region during the winter solstice. Learn to ice climb on frozen waterfalls, snowshoe state parks, howl with a wolf pack and watch masterful ice carvers create art, chisel by chisel.
What is Colorado Springs like in the winter? ›Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region has some of the most beautifully mild weather year around. (We've celebrated many Christmases with the sliding glass door open!) The temperature tends to fluctuate between 28 and 61 degrees fahrenheit, with very little snow till Spring.
Can you visit Garden of the Gods in winter? ›Visiting the Garden of the Gods in winter is an absolute must. It's a beautiful park year around and if you're in Colorado (near Colorado Springs) between the months of November and April, then you'll need to add this stop to your itinerary.
Can you visit Pikes Peak in the winter? ›Pikes Peak - America's Mountain is open year round - weather permitting. Conditions change frequently, it is recommended to call our pre-recorded information line.