
Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
1. Garden of the Gods Park
A scenic park with towering sandstone formations and abundant wildlife like bighorn sheep and mountain lions.
- Unique Landscape: The park offers a unique landscape of red rock formations not found in many other national parks.
- Wildlife Viewing: Garden of the Gods provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially bighorn sheep and rock climbers.
- Accessibility: The park offers easy access to trails and viewpoints, making it friendly for families and visitors of all ages and abilities.
2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Home to over 750 animals representing 160 species, including endangered species like the Amur Leopard.
- Mountain Setting: The zoo is located atop Cheyenne Mountain, offering stunning views of Colorado Springs.
- Unique Exhibits: Some exhibits feature animal encounters and interactive experiences like the Primate Center.
- Conservation Efforts: The zoo is dedicated to conservation efforts, with many programs focused on saving endangered species.
3. Pike National Forest
A vast forested area with numerous hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly elk and moose.
- Hiking Trails: Pike National Forest offers a vast network of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
- Wildlife Viewing: The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, moose, and black bears.
- Scenic Beauty: Pike National Forest offers stunning scenic beauty, with towering peaks and vast valleys.
4. North Cheyenne Cañon Park
A park featuring a canyon with waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly deer and foxes.
- Waterfalls: The park features several picturesque waterfalls, particularly Helena Falls.
- Wildlife Viewing: North Cheyenne Cañon Park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially deer and foxes.
- Scenic Drive: The park is accessible via a scenic drive through the canyon.
5. Santa Fe Trail National Historic Site
A site commemorating the historic Santa Fe Trail, with opportunities for wildlife viewing along the trail.
- Historic Significance: The site is significant for its role in Westward expansion and the American West.
- Wildlife Viewing: The trail offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly prairie dogs and bison.
- Hiking Trails: The site features several hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
6. Palmer Park
A city park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly coyotes and foxes.
- Unique Landscape: Palmer Park offers a unique landscape of sandstone formations and canyons.
- Wildlife Viewing: The park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially coyotes and foxes.
- Accessibility: Palmer Park is easily accessible from downtown Colorado Springs.
7. Black Forest Regional Park
A park featuring forests, meadows, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly elk and deer.
- Scenic Beauty: The park offers stunning scenic beauty, with forests, meadows, and mountain views.
- Wildlife Viewing: Black Forest Regional Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk and deer.
- Hiking Trails: The park features numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
8. Mueller State Park
A state park featuring forests, meadows, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly bears and mountain lions.
- Scenic Beauty: Mueller State Park offers stunning scenic beauty, with forests, meadows, and mountain views.
- Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and mountain lions.
- Hiking Trails: Mueller State Park features numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
9. Rock Ledge Ranch Historical Site
A historical site featuring a working farm and ranch, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly bison and elk.
- Historic Significance: The site is significant for its role in Colorado's agricultural history.
- Wildlife Viewing: Rock Ledge Ranch offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly bison and elk.
- Farm and Ranch Activities: The site features farm and ranch activities like animal feeding and hayrides.
10. Pueblo Reservoir State Park
A state park featuring a reservoir with opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, particularly waterfowl.
- Recreational Activities: The park offers recreational activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking.
- Wildlife Viewing: Pueblo Reservoir State Park is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly waterfowl.
- Scenic Beauty: The park offers stunning scenic beauty, with views of the reservoir and surrounding hills.
11. Fountain Creek Regional Park and Nature Center
A regional park featuring a nature center, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly birds.
- Nature Center: The park features a nature center with educational exhibits about the local ecosystem.
- Wildlife Viewing: Fountain Creek Regional Park is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly birds.
- Hiking Trails: The park features numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
12. Cottonwood Creek Park
A city park featuring a creek, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly deer and foxes.
- Scenic Beauty: The park offers scenic beauty with a flowing creek and mature trees.
- Wildlife Viewing: Cottonwood Creek Park is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly deer and foxes.
- Accessibility: The park offers easy access from downtown Colorado Springs.
13. Stratton Open Space
An open space featuring grasslands, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly prairie dogs and coyotes.
- Scenic Beauty: Stratton Open Space offers scenic beauty with grasslands and views of Pikes Peak.
- Wildlife Viewing: The open space is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly prairie dogs and coyotes.
- Hiking Trails: Stratton Open Space features numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
14. Fox Run Regional Park
A regional park featuring a creek, picnic areas, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly deer and foxes.
- Scenic Beauty: The park offers scenic beauty with a flowing creek and mature trees.
- Wildlife Viewing: Fox Run Regional Park is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly deer and foxes.
- Accessibility: The park offers easy access from downtown Colorado Springs.
15. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
An open space featuring red rock formations, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly coyotes and foxes.
- Unique Landscape: Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers a unique landscape of red rock formations.
- Wildlife Viewing: The open space is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly coyotes and foxes.
- Hiking Trails: Red Rock Canyon Open Space features numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.