Updated
Parks, gardens, and outdoor admissions. 8 sources, linked on each listing.
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods · Park & 1805 N 30th St Visitor Center · Parks & Outdoors
Free city park (National Natural Landmark) with trails, free visitor center museum, and free guided nature walks.
When: Park 5am-9/10pm; free guided walks daily
Source: Garden of the Gods OfficialLast verified:
USAF Academy · United States Air Force Academy · Hosmer Visitor Center, 13303 True North Rd, USAF Academy, CO 80840 · Parks & Outdoors
Visit Colorado Springs free-things guide says the Academy experience is all for free. The official visitor-center page says the Hosmer Visitor Center is outside the North Gate (no base entry required for the center) and is open daily 9 a.m.�5 p.m. Base access still needs a visitor pass if you do not have a DoD ID.
When: Visitor center daily 9:00 AM�5:00 PM; closed federal holidays, Christmas Eve, and New Year�s Eve
Listed on Visit Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · North Cheyenne Cañon Park · Colorado Springs · Parks & Outdoors
Free city park with canyon roads, short waterfall hikes (Helen Hunt Falls), and trails.
When: Dawn to dusk
Listed on Springs Local GuideLast verified:
Colorado Springs · America the Beautiful Park · Downtown Colorado Springs (near Bijou) · Parks & Outdoors
Free park with paved paths, wading spots near Bijou Street bridge, and open space.
When: Dawn to dusk
Listed on Springs Local GuideLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site · Next to Garden of the Gods · Parks & Outdoors
Free outdoor living history museum grounds. Seasonal programs via Culture Pass or admission.
When: Dawn to dusk (grounds); season-specific buildings
Listed on Springs Local GuideLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Palmer Park · Colorado Springs · Parks & Outdoors
Free park with multi-use trails, scenic points, sports fields, and playground.
When: Dawn to dusk
Listed on Uncover ColoradoLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Red Rock Canyon Open Space · 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
Listed in the Visit Colorado Springs free-things guide (updated Sept. 14, 2026). Springs Local Guide (Sept. 20, 2026) says it is free city open space with no admission. Climbing needs a permit. Trails and Open Space Coalition lists hours generally 5 a.m.�9 p.m.
When: Listed by Trails and Open Space Coalition as generally 5:00 AM�9:00 PM
Listed on Visit Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods · 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
City page: the park was given so it would stay open and free to the public and can be enjoyed free of charge. Hiking, biking, and horseback trails are in the park. Climbing requires a permit.
When: May 1�Oct. 31: 5:00 AM�10:00 PM; Nov. 1�Apr. 30: 5:00 AM�9:00 PM
Listed on City of Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center · 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
City of Colorado Springs calls the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center free. A separate visitor-center page also lists admission as free, with summer hours 8 a.m.�7 p.m. and winter hours 9 a.m.�5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year�s Day.
When: See gardenofgods.com; park hours are on the city page
Listed on City of Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods Park · 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
1,341-acre regional park with sandstone formations, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site nearby, and free maps at Visitor Center.
When: Seasonal park hours
Source: Garden of the GodsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · City of Colorado Springs · 1805 N. 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO · Kids & Family
Free iconic park with paved family paths and Junior Ranger programs. Nature walks $5 with reservation.
When: Daily park hours
Source: City of Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods Park · 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
Garden of the Gods Park and its Visitor & Nature Center are free to enter.
When: Park open daily (hours vary by season; Visitor Center separate)
Source: Garden of the GodsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · City of Colorado Springs · 1805 N. 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO · Parks & Outdoors
National Natural Landmark park kept forever free to the public per Perkins gift. Hiking, biking, and climbing (permit) trails.
When: Nov–Apr 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; May–Oct 5 a.m.–10 p.m.
Source: City of Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods Park · Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO · Parks & Outdoors
Garden of the Gods is a free City Park & National Natural Landmark. Park hours: 5:00 am–10:00 pm (May 1–Oct 31); 5:00 am–9:00 pm (Nov 1–Apr 30). Visitor & Nature Center also free and open to the public.
When: Park open daily 5am–10pm May 1–Oct 31; 5am–9pm Nov 1–Apr 30. Visitor & Nature Center free, hours seasonally listed on site.
Listed on Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature CenterLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Garden of the Gods Park · 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
City-owned National Natural Landmark kept forever open and free to the public since 1909 gift. Hiking, biking, views of Pikes Peak.
When: Nov–Apr 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; May–Oct 5 a.m.–10 p.m.
Listed on City of Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · North Cheyenne Ca�on Park · 2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 · Parks & Outdoors
Trails and Open Space Coalition plan-your-visit text: fees, no entry fee, at 2120 S. Cheyenne Canyon Rd. City hours are 5 a.m.�10 p.m. May 1�Oct. 31 and 5 a.m.�9 p.m. Nov. 1�Apr. 30. Helen Hunt Falls is inside the park.
When: City: 5:00 AM�10:00 PM May 1�Oct. 31; 5:00 AM�9:00 PM Nov. 1�Apr. 30
Listed on Trails and Open Space CoalitionLast verified:
Calhan · Paint Mines Interpretive Park · 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808 · Parks & Outdoors
Included in the Visit Colorado Springs free-things guide (updated Sept. 14, 2026) at 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, in eastern El Paso County.
When: See El Paso County for current hours
Listed on Visit Colorado SpringsLast verified:
Colorado Springs · Red Rock Canyon Open Space · 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · Parks & Outdoors
Red Rock Canyon Open Space: miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding among red rock formations. Off-leash dog areas and free-ride bike park. Listed free by Visit Colorado Springs.
When: Public open space trails
Listed on Visit Colorado SpringsLast verified: