Cheyenne Mountain State Park
State Park in Colorado Springs, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
410 JL Ranch Heights
Colorado Springs, CO 80926
United States
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
State Park in Colorado Springs, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
410 JL Ranch Heights
Colorado Springs, CO 80926
United States
Navigate to:
Three hikers cross a bridge
Park Highlight
Explore Trails
The park has 21 diverse trails that total over 28 miles. They are rated easy to moderate in difficulty and take hikers and bikers on a nature adventure throughout the park. Visitors can wander through grasslands filled with prairie dogs or explore the pines and try to catch a glimpse of mule deer.
Visitors with disabilities can explore designated trails in the park using a Terrain Hopper. See below for more information and to make reservations.
21
trails
25.5
miles for biking
29
miles for hiking
12
miles for horseback riding
Trails
Facilities
Limekiln Trailhead offers parking, restroom facilities, picnic tables and a playground.
Trailer parking and trail access is located at the east end of the Limekiln Trailhead parking lot. From there, users may access the eastern portion of Sundance trail, linking to the upper portion of Talon trail, along with all of North and South Talon trails. The trails gain elevation and the terrain is steep and narrow on the North and South Talon trail sections. Horses and trailers are not allowed in the campgrounds or other parking areas.
For your safety, take notice of the markers along every trail. GPS coordinates are on all trail signage and will help park staff locate hikers and bikers in case of emergencies on the trail.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
The park has 21 diverse trails that total over 28 miles. They are rated easy to moderate in difficulty and take hikers and bikers on a nature adventure throughout the 2701-acre park. Visitors can wander through grasslands filled with prairie dogs or explore the pines and try to catch a glimpse of mule deer. For your safety, take notice of the markers along every trail. GPS coordinates are on all trail signage and will help park staff locate hikers and bikers in case of emergencies on the trail. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the trail system and in the backcountry.
Designated Dog Trails
Leashed dogs are welcomed on approximately 2 miles of designated trails. These include: Acorn Alley, Bobcat Way, Raccoon Ridge and a portion of Soaring Kestrel. Multiple waste bag dispensers and trash receptacles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of our park. Dogs must be kept on a 6’ or shorter hand held leash. Dogs are not allowed on any other trails or in the backcountry.
Designated Equestrian Trails
Equestrians are welcomed on a designated portion of our trail system with an out and back trip totaling 8 miles. Trailer parking and trail access is located at the east end of the Limekiln Trailhead parking lot. From there, users may access the eastern portion of Sundance trail, linking to the upper portion of Talon trail, along with all of North and South Talon trails. The trails gain elevation and the terrain is steep and narrow on the North and South Talon trail
sections. Horses and trailers are not allowed in the campgrounds or other parking areas.
Little Bear Trail
1 mile
Raccoon Ridge Trail
0.55 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Turkey Trot Trail
0.46 miles
Zook Loop
1.03 miles
Archer's Alley
0.28 miles
Bear Track Trail
0.95 miles
A trail dividing into the two legs that make up the field/3D archery range. Stay the trail!
Blackmer Loop Trail
3.52 miles
Bobcat Way Trail
0.40 miles
Dog friendly
Can be linked with Acorn Alley and Soaring Kestrel trails to add length and variety.
Boulder Run Trail
1 mile
Coyote Run Trail
1.37 miles
Cougars Shadow Trail
0.85 miles
Mountain biking
Little Bear Trail
1 mile
Raccoon Ridge Trail
0.55 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Turkey Trot Trail
0.46 miles
Zook Loop
1.03 miles
Archer's Alley
0.28 miles
Bear Track Trail
0.95 miles
A trail dividing into the two legs that make up the field/3D archery range. Stay the trail!
Blackmer Loop Trail
3.52 miles
Bobcat Way Trail
0.40 miles
Dog friendly
Can be linked with Acorn Alley and Soaring Kestrel trails to add length and variety.
Boulder Run Trail
1 mile
Coyote Run Trail
1.37 miles
Cougars Shadow Trail
0.85 miles
Mountain biking
Medicine Wheel Trail
0.5 miles
Mountain biking, hiking
Talon
2.64 miles
Hiking, horseback riding
Dog friendly
Western portion from the Sundance Trail is horse friendly.
Mountain Loop
1.4 miles
Hiking only
Can only be accessed with a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.
Talon North
1.60 miles
Horseback riding
Talon South
0.98 miles
Horseback riding
Soaring Kestral Trail
1.82 miles
Partially dog friendly
Sundance Trail
3.29 miles
Partially open to horses. Equestrian users may access 5 miles of trails beginning at the east end of the Limekiln Trailhead lot and heading south on Sundance Trail.
Medicine Wheel Trail
0.5 miles
Mountain biking, hiking
Talon
2.64 miles
Hiking, horseback riding
Dog friendly
Western portion from the Sundance Trail is horse friendly.
Mountain Loop
1.4 miles
Hiking only
Can only be accessed with a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.
Talon North
1.60 miles
Horseback riding
Talon South
0.98 miles
Horseback riding
Soaring Kestral Trail
1.82 miles
Partially dog friendly
Sundance Trail
3.29 miles
Partially open to horses. Equestrian users may access 5 miles of trails beginning at the east end of the Limekiln Trailhead lot and heading south on Sundance Trail.
Dragon's Backbone Trail
0.85 miles
Hiking only
This trail can only be accessed by taking a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.
Dixon Trail
4.5 miles one way and 17 miles round-trip
Hiking, biking, horseback riding
This trail is accessed from Limekiln Trailhead by taking Talon and North Talon trails.
Dragon's Backbone Trail
0.85 miles
Hiking only
This trail can only be accessed by taking a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.
Dixon Trail
4.5 miles one way and 17 miles round-trip
Hiking, biking, horseback riding
This trail is accessed from Limekiln Trailhead by taking Talon and North Talon trails.
All-Terrain Motorized Wheelchair
Terrain Hopper Program
At Cheyenne Mountain, visitors with disabilities can use four-wheeled Terrain Hoppers (10-inch clearance and 35%-incline-climbing ability) to explore designated trails within the park.
Make a Reservation
The Terrain Hopper is available for reservation every Friday and Saturday, from Memorial Day Weekend through October 1, but please check our availability calendar before making a reservation. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks ahead of time. You will receive a reservation confirmation email.
Terrain Hopper Information
Terrain Hopper Trails
The Terrain Hopper allows access to three different loops, including portions of Sundance, Little Bear, Turkey Trot and Talon trails. They are approximately 1.5 to 4 miles and will take 1 to 3.5 hours to complete. All routes begin from the Limekiln parking lot.
Short Loop (highlighted on map in green)
- 1.5 miles — Easiest
For a gentle experience, try the short loop using the Turkey Trot trail. With excellent views of Cheyenne Mountain and Colorado Springs, and frequent deer and turkey sightings, the short loop is a great way to get to know the Terrain Hopper without committing to a several-hours-long sojourn.
Medium Loop (highlighted on map in blue)
- 2.5 miles — Moderate
Split between the Talon and Sundance trails, the medium loop will take you through shady ponderosa pines and bright grassy fields, all oriented toward a dominating view of Cheyenne Mountain. Keep an eye out in the summer for dozens of species of wildflowers along the path.
Long Loop (highlighted on map in red)
- 4 miles — Most Difficult
Spend several hours enjoying all Cheyenne Mountain State Park’s trails have to offer on the long loop, covering all of the Sundance Trail. With some elevation gain and uneven trail surface, this loop offers the most challenging (and the most fun!) terrain experience. This trail is popular with local birdwatchers due to the many species of migratory birds that can be seen.
Planning Your Hike
Please arrive at the Limekiln parking lot 15 minutes ahead of your reservation time for a safety briefing and a practice lap in the Terrain Hopper.
- All hikers must bring an adult companion with them. Companions should be able to walk up to 4 miles without assistance.
- CPW staff and volunteers are not able to help with transfers. A Hoyer lift and slide boards will be made available, but if additional assistance is needed, the companion person will be responsible.
- Service animals are allowed, which must be leashed and under the control of the companion person. Dogs are not allowed on trails utilized for Terrain Hopper hikes. Service animals are not permitted inside the Terrain Hopper, and hikers should not be holding a leash while the machine is occupied.
- Children are welcome to hike alongside the Terrain Hopper, but they are not allowed to sit in the lap of someone using it.
- Please dress appropriately to spend time outdoors in changing weather. You may wish to bring a raincoat, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a water bottle.
- Please wear close-toed shoes if possible.
All Terrain Hopper reservations are tentative and are subject to change to cancellation by park staff for any reason, including inclement weather.
For more detailed information to help prepare you for your Terrain Hopper experience, please contact the park at [email protected] or at 719-576-2016.
Become a Terrain Hopper Volunteer
Are you interested in leading guided hikes with the Terrain Hopper in Cheyenne Mountain State Park? As a volunteer, you will accompany our program participants and their guests, ensuring they have an enjoyable and safe trip. We are looking for volunteers! Register an account with CPWConnect to apply.
Know Before You Go
Home to an abundance of wildlife, Cheyenne Mountain State Park has black bears, deer, bobcats, wild turkeys and even a mountain lion roaming the territory. Visitors frequently report seeing rattlesnakes cross the trails and raptors soaring high overhead.
Crossing Paths with Wildlife
Learn what to do if you encounter wildlife on trails.
Stay Safe on Trails
Dogs
Dogs are ONLY allowed on the Acorn Alley, Bobcat Way, Raccoon Ridge trails, and the marked portion of the Soaring Kestral Trail. There is no access to the dog trails from Limekiln Trailhead.
Dogs must be kept on a six-foot or shorter handheld leash. Multiple waste bag dispensers and trash receptacles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of our park.
Clean Your Gear: Hiking with a Dog
Invasive Species
Help Protect Colorado's Lands
Learn how to clean, drain and dry hiking gear used by your dog to help prevent the spread of noxious weeds in Colorado and protect forests from invasive species.
Featured Trail
The Dixon Trail
The challenging Dixon trail system accesses the top of Cheyenne Mountain but requires a 17+ mile round-trip hike, so plan ahead before you head out to hike. Visitors can hike, bike and horseback ride up to the 2.5-mile mark. Hikers only past the 2.5-mile mark. This trail is accessed from Limekiln Trailhead by taking Talon and North Talon trails. Bring plenty of water and prepare for fast-changing weather.
Please Practice Leave No Trace
- Know before you go so you can be prepared.
- Stick to trails and camp overnight right.
- Trash your trash and pick up poop.
- Leave it as you find it.
- Be careful with fire.
- Keep wildlife wild.
- Share our trails and manage your pets.