Outdoor Skills Day at Mueller

About this Event

Outdoor Skills Day is an annual event at Mueller where people of all ages can participate in a variety of outdoor recreation activities throughout the park. Activities will include: target shooting, clay pigeon shooting, archery, geocaching, birding, hiking, making smores and more.

A park pass is required to enter. Besides that the event is free.

Park and Ride Park in any designated parking spot then walk or ride the free Cripple Creek shuttle to each location. Since our parking areas are limited, we encourage using the bus or walking, when possible, to decrease traffic and bottlenecks at parking lots. The bus will stop at all event areas. Shuttles will run until 2:30pm.

Passport Pick up your passport at Dragonfly Pond, Visitor Center, Livery or Elk Meadow lots. Get 10 or more stamps from the activities you visit and drop it off in the orange buckets at the Visitor Center, Elk Meadow, Dragonfly Pond or Livery lots. Winners will be drawn and texted or called at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. You must collect your prize by 3pm at the Visitor Center.

Water/Food We encourage the use of reusable water bottles during the event. If you need a refill there is a water fountain at the Visitor Center and water hydrants located around the park. If you forget your own bottle, there will be some plastic water bottles for sale at the Visitor Center while supplies last. Hot dogs are available at the livery for a cash donation towards a new Trackchair program at Mueller to help people with disabilities explore our trails.

Special Events There are two special events today. A history talk on how Colorado became a state at the Visitor Center auditorium from 10:45 to 11:45am.  Then a guided birding walk with local bird expert and author, Joe LaFleur, starting at the birding station from 1 to 2pm.

Activity Descriptions        

At the Livery:     

Info – Get a map and  get all your questions answered!

Archery – Learn to shoot a bow and arrow.  Best for kids 8 and up. There will be a foam bow for younger kids. Some adaptive equipment available.

22 Rifle – Target practice with 22’s – Expert, one on one instruction. For ages 10+.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) – Thanks to RMEF for cooking hot dogs available for a cash donation to raise money for trail accessible wheelchairs. There’s no fixed price-whatever you can spare to support the cause!

Trails & Open Space Coalition – Discover local trails and open spaces in Colorado’s southern front range.

Gear Sale - Friends of Mueller State Park – Gently used outdoor gear for sale!

At Dragonfly Pond:

Fishing at Dragonfly Pond – Catch a rainbow trout!  Free poles to the first 50 kids 12 and under.
 

At the Visitor Center:        

Animal & History Trivia – How well do you know wildlife or Colorado State History? Everyone's a winner!

Bear Wise – Colorado is bear country! Learn how to safely play and live in their habitat.

Ranger Touch A Truck – Explore the different vehicles rangers use to patrol the park.

At Outlook Ridge:

Nature Journaling – Connect with nature by recording observations.

Birdwatching – Learn about local birds you can see at the park.

Geocaching – Learn how to use a GPS and find a geocache. 

At Bootlegger:

Mobile Earth and Space Observatory – Very cool science activities! Learn about space and look through a real telescope.

S’mores! – Make your own chocolatey s’more over the grill. 

Florissant Fossil Beds – Discover what our National Park neighbor has to offer.

At Elk Meadow:

Teller County Search & Rescue – See the tools they use to help rescue people and how you can stay safe while hiking.

Fly Fishing – Trout Unlimited will give you tips on the art of fly fishing and fly tying – try it out.

Natural Grocers – Sample some healthy trail snacks!