Planning a winter trip to Colorado Springs? Great idea! You’ve found out that just south of Denver Colorado lies a fun little town full of things to do, beautiful places to visit, and delicious food! Colorado Springs in winter should definitely be on your must-travel list because it has so many options to choose from. Colorado Springs offers incredible outdoor activities and one-of-a-kind adventures that make for an amazing vacation or weekend getaway, especially if you visit Colorado Springs during the winter months. Here are the best things to do in Colorado Springs in winter for you to enjoy!
This is a guest post by Nikki, a travel and camping enthusiast from Attractions of America, with edits and additions by Claire.
Know Before You Go to Colorado Springs
Before travelling to Colorado Springs, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out, especially during busy periods.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN COLORADO SPRINGS:
$$ Drury Inn & Suites popular hotel with indoor pool and spacious rooms
$$ Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs: downtown hotel close to attractions & restaurants
$ ColoRADo Adventure Hostel highly rated hostel with private rooms and shared dorms
⭐ TOP 3 COLORADO SPRINGS WINTER ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods Luxury Jeep Tour
Why Visit Colorado Springs in Winter?
Visiting Colorado Springs in winter offers a unique and exciting experience for travelers who appreciate natural beauty and outdoor activities. If you are an adventure lover, winter is the best time to visit Colorado Springs, as you will find plenty of winter activities to create memories that will last a lifetime.
The most outstanding aspect of a winter trip to Colorado Springs is the opportunity to witness the stunning transformation of the landscape as it gets blanketed in snow. The iconic Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains offer picturesque views that become even more magical when covered in a glistening layer of snow.
If you’re visiting Colorado Springs on a budget, there are plenty of affordable or free winter activities in Colorado Springs to enjoy. From hiking through snow-covered trails in Garden of the Gods to exploring the charming streets of Old Colorado City adorned with festive decorations, there’s no shortage of low-cost options, although you may need to hire a guide for the more challenging hikes.
Whether you are looking for ideas for a relaxing weekend getaway or a trip full of winter adventures, Colorado Springs has all the makings of a great winter vacation in Colorado or indeed anywhere in the United States.
In December and January, Colorado Springs turns into a wonderland full of winter activities to choose from, ranging from outdoor adventures, relaxing spa days, family time, and more! If you are visiting during winter, there are plenty of options to enjoy the beautiful fresh fallen snow while taking in the sites all around you.
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The Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs in Winter
There are a few outdoor activities in Colorado Springs you won’t be able to enjoy during the winter but there’s still plenty to love when visiting in the winter.
Some of the top things to do in Colorado Springs at any time of year include:
- Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods Luxury Jeep Tour
- Downtown Colorado Springs Brewery Tour
- Scenic Zipline Tour
- Classic Food Tour in Downtown Colorado Springs
- Bighorn Sheep Canyon Rafting Adventure
- Colorado Springs Sunrise Balloon Ride
You can browse more tours and attractions in Colorado Springs here. Most of the tours and activities in Colorado Springs are available throughout the year, you’ll just need to dress accordingly – remember that it gets dark earlier during the winter – and plan your trip bearing in mind the weather might not cooperate! While you’re visiting Colorado Springs in the winter plan to visit Denver, as well!
FIND A TOUR IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Keep reading to learn about activities that are perfectly suitable to do in Colorado Springs in the winter. Here are our favourite things to do in Colorado Springs in winter:
Take a Tour of Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is one of the most beautiful places in the US and people come from miles around to take the drive or hike up this gorgeous mountain and explore the Pikes Peak Region.
During the winter, issues may arise with winter weather and snow in Colorado Springs if you go alone, but joining a tour will be safer and easier as your guide will take care of the driving. While you soak up the majestic views, your tour guide will take you as high as they can take you safely and with confidence.
Take in the Sights on a Heated Jeep Tour
When cold weather sweeps through Colorado Springs, being outside may prove a little too chilly for comfort. You can head out in a tour of the area surrounding Colorado Springs by riding in a heated Jeep.
The beauty of taking a heated Jeep tour is that you can soak in the beautiful views of snow from the warmth of your jeep ride. Multiple companies such as Adventures Out West offer heated jeep rides during the cold winter months. You should still wrap up warm for the tour, although blankets are included!
Go Caving at the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Explore the underground world while staying warm on your visit to this fantastic cave. Cave of the Winds has so many adventures to choose from. You can take in the site from above by booking a zipline tour or decide to complete the high-flying obstacle course.
When it comes to cave tours, you can reserve your spot for the Discovery Tour, where you can learn the cave’s history or decide to take more of an adventure and book the Adventure Tour. In the adventure tour, you traverse through the cave with only the light of a lantern guiding your way, which is sure to add an element of excitement to your journey.
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Walk across the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge
The Royal Gorge Bridge offers some incredible views of the gorge below and is open year-round. You can take a walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge while taking in the snow-covered scenery below. You can also hop on one of the train rides around Royal Gorge, where you can sit back and relax as you travel around the Royal Gorge.
There are many other attractions at Royal Gorge like zipline, Via Ferrata, Skycoaster that you can take part in, but double check that they are open before you visit!
Soak in the Waters of Manitou Springs
Just minutes away from Colorado Springs, lies the town of Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs is known for its hot springs that offer healing powers and allows you to sit back and relax. Manitou Springs offers multiple pools where you can go and simply soak in the heated healing waters or participate in other activities. Sun Wellness offers access to hot pools as well as other services such as facials and massages.
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Take on Garden of the Gods by Horseback
Garden of the Gods is a majestic sight and a must-see while you are in Colorado Springs. During most of the year, you can hike through these giant red rocks capturing pictures and memories. If winter comes your way, hiking through the Garden of the Gods may prove for adventures full of wet socks and cold feet.
However, there is another way to take on the Garden of the Gods during the winter…by horseback. There are multiple horseback riding companies that allow you to soak in the red rock scenery while in the comfort of a horse.
Ice Skating in Colorado Springs
Ice skating is always a great activity for the whole family, allowing kids of all sizes to join in the fun. There are multiple places around Colorado Springs, such as the Sertich Ice Center, that offer ice skating for you and your family to enjoy.
Snowshoe Around Colorado Springs
Snowshoeing is a one of a kind adventure that you can be a part of in Colorado Springs. If you are confident, you can go off on your own with many trails to choose from. There are also many tour companies that will take you snowshoeing and teach you the ropes as you travel around Colorado Springs.
Snowshoeing is an incredible activity that allows you to see the scenery around you while getting an epic workout in at the same time. One great place to go snowshoeing while in Colorado Springs is Mueller State Park that is full of different trails to go off on snow-filled adventures.
Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open throughout the year and allows you many opportunities to get up close and personal with different animals. The zoo sits on top of a mountain with over 750 animals and 170 species that you can visit, and some you can even feed.
There are plenty of animals that can be viewed best in winter, including Rocky Mountain goats, Canada Moose, and wolves.
If you visit Colorado Springs in December you can also visit the Electric Safari, an evening experience with light sculptures, visits from Santa, and the chance to see the animals after dark. The Zoo website has details on tickets and timings here.
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Meet a Wolf at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Winter is a prime time to visit the Colorado Wolf Center as many of these incredible animals are active in the winter. There are more than just wolves at this amazing center; you can also see foxes and coyotes during your visit. You can choose to take the basic tour where you learn the backstory of many of the animals or do the up close and personal tour where you can meet some of your favorite animals.
Visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
If the Colorado Springs winter weather gets too much and you want some indoor activities to do in Colorado Springs, then don’t miss the wonderful U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. USA Today voted it as the best new attraction in the USA for 2020, and the 60,000-square foot museum is one of the best things to do in Colorado.
In December the museum is decorated for the holidays, so you can get into the festive spirit as you learn about Olympic athletes and coaches and take part in interactive sport exhibits. It’s popular with kids and adults alike so be sure to add it to your Colorado Springs itinerary. >>>Book tickets here.
Explore the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
A unique experience just outside Colorado Springs is the Manitou Cliff Dwelling Museum. These cliff dwellings were reconstructed here after being moved from their original location, so although the indigenous people didn’t live here, it still gives a good idea of what it was like. >>>Book tickets here.
Where to Stay in Colorado Springs
There are lots of fabulous places to stay in Colorado Springs. Old Colorado City is where the city was first founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush back in 1859, so it has an old-world feel about it. The modern area of Colorado Springs is better suited to a city break, but staying in Manitou Springs or further up in the mountains is the perfect place to get away from it all and have a real winter experience in Colorado Springs!
Check out our top picks for hotels in Colorado Springs downtown:
- Drury Inn & Suites: This hotel is highly rated by guests and we see why. It has spacious rooms with lots of helpful amenities. Plus, two pools, one indoors and the other outdoors for year-round swimming. >>>CHECK REVIEWS & PRICES
- Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn: Some rooms at this highly rated Colorado Springs hotel have a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge, and a toaster to help you save money on dining out. >>>LEARN MORE
- Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs: Located in downtown Colorado Springs, this hotel is close to the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and other downtown shops and restaurants. Plus, they offer convenient onsite bike rentals to get around the city. >>>CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
If you’d like more options, you can find more great value hotels on Booking. There are also various options for Airbnbs in Colorado Springs too, take a look at some of the rental homes available here.
You can also browse hostels in Colorado Springs on Hostelworld, for budget stays including the highly rated ColoRADo Adventure Hostel which has private rooms and shared dorms to choose from.
FIND A HOTEL IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Tips for Enjoying Winter in Colorado Springs
If you have some more questions about visiting Colorado Springs in winter I’ve brought together some common FAQ with useful travel tips and information.
Does Colorado Springs Get a Lot of Snow?
Colorado Springs experiences a diverse and somewhat unpredictable winter climate that adds to its charm. During the winter months, which typically span from December to February, you can expect a mix of cold, snowy days and milder, sunnier periods – albeit still cold!
Temperatures in Colorado Springs can vary significantly. Daytime highs often range from the upper 30s to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 3 to 7 degrees Celsius). However, it’s essential to be prepared for colder weather, as nighttime temperatures frequently drop below freezing, often into the 20s Fahrenheit (-6 to -2 degrees Celsius).
Snowfall is a defining feature of Colorado Springs’ winter. The city receives an average of around 37 inches (94 cm) of snow annually. Snowstorms are common, and the city can be covered in a beautiful, white blanket of snow during the winter months.
This makes it an excellent destination for winter sports enthusiasts and those seeking a picturesque winter wonderland, as long as you are prepared for the weather in Colorado Springs!
Christmas in Colorado Springs
Christmas is a magical time in Colorado Springs. The city comes alive with holiday spirit, offering lots of free and budget-friendly activities to enjoy and experience the festive atmosphere.
Like most US cities, Colorado Springs at Christmas is full of twinkling lights and colorful decorations. The historic district of Old Colorado City is particularly enchanting, with its locally-owned shops and galleries all decked out in holiday cheer.
There are also several Christmas Markets in Colorado Springs where you can buy unique, handmade gifts from local artisans and get in the
One of the most popular Christmas events in Colorado Springs is the “Christmas Stroll” in the historic district of Old Colorado City, which typically takes place on the last Saturday in November. Local shops and boutiques on Colorado Avenue open their doors to visitors for a festive shopping experience.
You can find unique, handcrafted gifts and enjoy carol singing in the beautifully decorated streets, all while supporting local businesses, as well as the chance to meet Santa and his reindeer in Bancroft Park.
I hope this post has inspired you to take a trip to Colorado Springs this winter!
Want More Winter Travel Ideas?
Check out these blog posts for your winter vacation inspiration!About the Author
Nikki Ortan of Attractions of America is a travel and camping enthusiast currently based in Milwaukee, USA. She loves exploring beautiful attractions across America which led her to found Attractions of America, a travel site featuring top places to visit in every US state. Be sure to follow along with Nikki’s journeys on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter!
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This Colorado Springs Guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
It’s good to know that there are flats available to stay in that are near the mountain trails in Colorado Springs. My friends and I are starting to talk about things to do in Colorado Springs because that is our next target for a vacation. We like traveling a lot but it take a lot of preparation and syncing of schedules to make such trips happen.