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

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

410 JL Ranch Heights
Colorado Springs, CO 80926
United States

Contact:

719-576-2016

[email protected]

At Cheyenne Mountain State Park, visitors can take advantage of the hiking, biking and equestrian trails that meander through the picturesque landscape, offering a “plains to peaks” outdoor experience. 

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

State Park in Colorado Springs, CO

At Cheyenne Mountain State Park, visitors can take advantage of the hiking, biking and equestrian trails that meander through the picturesque landscape, offering a “plains to peaks” outdoor experience. 

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

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

410 JL Ranch Heights
Colorado Springs, CO 80926
United States

Contact:

719-576-2016

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Three hikers cross a bridge

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. 

21

trails

25.5

miles for biking

29

miles for hiking

12

miles for horseback riding

Trails

Facilities

    Limekiln Trail​head 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.

    Hikers at the park

    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. 

    ACCESSIBILITY

    Trails for Visitors with Disabilities

    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.

      A rider using a Terrain Hopper.

      A rider using a Terrain Hopper.

      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.

      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. 

      Are you interested in leading guided hikes with the Terrain Hopper in Cheyenne Mountain State Park? We are looking for volunteers! Register an account with CPWConnect to apply.

      Trails

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        Little Bear Trail

        1 mile

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        Raccoon Ridge Trail

        0.55 miles
        Hiking only
        Dog friendly

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        Turkey Trot Trail

        0.46 miles

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        Zook Loop

        1.03 miles

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        Archer's Alley

        0.28 miles

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        Bear Track Trail

        0.95 miles

        A trail dividing into the two legs that make up the field/3D archery range. Stay the trail!

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        Blackmer Loop Trail

        3.52 miles

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        Bobcat Way Trail

        0.40 miles
        Dog friendly

        Can be linked with Acorn Alley and Soaring Kestrel trails to add length and variety.

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        Boulder Run Trail

        1 mile

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        Coyote Run Trail

        1.37 miles

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        Cougars Shadow Trail

        0.85 miles
        Mountain biking

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        Little Bear Trail

        1 mile

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        Raccoon Ridge Trail

        0.55 miles
        Hiking only
        Dog friendly

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        Turkey Trot Trail

        0.46 miles

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        Zook Loop

        1.03 miles

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        Archer's Alley

        0.28 miles

        Hiking boot icon

        Bear Track Trail

        0.95 miles

        A trail dividing into the two legs that make up the field/3D archery range. Stay the trail!

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        Blackmer Loop Trail

        3.52 miles

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        Bobcat Way Trail

        0.40 miles
        Dog friendly

        Can be linked with Acorn Alley and Soaring Kestrel trails to add length and variety.

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        Boulder Run Trail

        1 mile

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        Coyote Run Trail

        1.37 miles

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        Cougars Shadow Trail

        0.85 miles
        Mountain biking

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        Medicine Wheel Trail

        0.5 miles
        Mountain biking, hiking

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        Talon

        2.64 miles
        Hiking, horseback riding
        Dog friendly

        Western portion from the Sundance Trail is horse friendly.

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        Mountain Loop

        1.4 miles
        Hiking only

        Can only be accessed with a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.

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        Talon North

        1.60 miles
        Horseback riding

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        Talon South

        0.98 miles
        Horseback riding

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        Soaring Kestral Trail

        1.82 miles
        Partially dog friendly

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        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.

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        Medicine Wheel Trail

        0.5 miles
        Mountain biking, hiking

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        Talon

        2.64 miles
        Hiking, horseback riding
        Dog friendly

        Western portion from the Sundance Trail is horse friendly.

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        Mountain Loop

        1.4 miles
        Hiking only

        Can only be accessed with a 17+ mile round-trip hike from Limekiln Trailhead.

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        Talon North

        1.60 miles
        Horseback riding

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        Talon South

        0.98 miles
        Horseback riding

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        Soaring Kestral Trail

        1.82 miles
        Partially dog friendly

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        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.

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        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.

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        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.

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        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.

        Hiking boot icon

        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.

        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.

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        Dogs

        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. Dogs are 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.

        Dog Trail Map

        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.