Mueller State Park

State Park in Divide, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office/Visitor Center: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

21045 Highway 67 South
Divide, CO 80814
United States

Contact:

719-687-2366

[email protected]

Fax:

719-687-6867

Dense forest with mountains in the distance.

Mueller State Park

State Park in Divide, CO

Dense forest with mountains in the distance.

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office/Visitor Center: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

21045 Highway 67 South
Divide, CO 80814
United States

Contact:

719-687-2366

[email protected]

Fax:

719-687-6867

Navigate to:

Dragonfly Pond Access -

Dragonfly Pond will not be accessible for fishing until Spring of 2025. Dragonfly parking area and the upper section of the Children's Nature Trail is open. The lower pond loop is closed through the end of December 2024.

A trail winds through aspen and pine mixed forest toward the densely forested mountains

A trail winds through aspen and pine mixed forest toward the densely forested mountains

Welcome to Mueller State Park

Visitors to Mueller State Park can explore over 5,117 acres featuring spring-fed meadows, diverse forests and impressive Pikes Peak granite formations. The landscape ranges from dense conifer and aspen forests to rolling grasslands with striking rock outcroppings. Shaped by ancient geological forces, such as the uplift of Pikes Peak and volcanic action, the park offers year-round outdoor activities like camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and winter pursuits like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

5,117

acres

158

species of birds

138

campsites

44.3

miles of trails

Directions

Accessing the Park

From I-25
Traveling north or south on I-25 and take exit 141. Turn left at the stoplight onto US 24 West (Cimarron) and follow it for 25 miles through Woodland Park to the town of Divide. Turn left onto Highway 67 South for 3.5 miles.

From Colorado Springs
Take US.24 west (Cimarron) from Colorado Springs for 25 miles through Woodland Park to the town of Divide. Turn left onto Highway 67 South and follow it for 3.5 miles.

    The Mueller Visitor Center​ is located 1.5 miles from the park entrance on Wapiti Road.

    Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

    Pets are allowed in the campsites, picnic areas, and on paved roads. Pets are prohibited on all trails and in the backcountry.

    Fees and Passes

    Daily Vehicle Pass

    Single vehicle and its occupants

    1 Day

    $10

    Individual Daily Pass

    For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks

    1 Day

    $4

    Keep Colorado Wild Pass

    DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents

    12 Months

    $29

    Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed)

    Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants

    12 Months

    $80

    Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag)

    Members of the same household

    12 Months

    $120

    Aspen Leaf Annual Pass

    Visitors 64+

    12 Months

    $70

    Centennial Pass

    Income-eligible Colorado residents

    12 Months

    $14

    Columbine Pass

    Colorado residents with disabilities

    12 Months

    $14

    Veterans License Plate

    DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates)

    Lifetime

    Free

    Independence Lifetime Pass

    Colorado resident veterans with disabilities

    Lifetime

    Free

    Blue Spruce Pass

    Colorado resident first responders with disabilities

    Lifetime

    $10

    Nature and Wildlife

    Mueller State Park offers a haven for nature lovers, boasting a diverse mix of coniferous forest, wetlands, various plant communities, a wealth of wildlife species and fascinating geological features.

    Be on the Lookout for Birds

    Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).

      Birds You Might Find

      • Canada Jay
      • American Kestrel
      • Williamson's or Red-naped sapsuckers
      • Clark's Nutcracker
      Two clark's nutcrackers sit on a rock

      Two Clark's nutrackers sit on a rock.

      Mammals You Might Find

      • American Beaver
      • Wyoming Ground Squirrel
      • Gray Fox
      • American Black Bear
      Bear looks around a tree

      Bear looks around a tree.

      Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find

      • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
      • Prairie Lizard
      • Tiger Salamander
      • Boreal Chorus Frog
      A tiger salamander in the grass.

      A tiger salamander in the grass.

      Geology at This Park

      Mueller spans 5,121 acres on the western foothills of Pikes Peak, featuring aspen and montane coniferous forests, along with montane grassland. The park is underlaid by Precambrian Pikes Peak Granite, a component of the Pike’s Peak batholith, characterized by biotite or biotite-hornblende rocks. Several inactive faults running north to south intersect the park.

      Admiring the mountain view

      A woman in a wheelchair parked next to a man on a bench. Together they admire the view of the mountains.

      Habitats and Plants at This Park

      Park uplands are dominated by mixed coniferous forest, aspen forest, montane grassland, rock outcrop and wetland communities. Mature stands of bristlecone pine, ponderosa pine, limber pine, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce and aspen. Common understory species include common juniper, kinnikinnick, white stem gooseberry, prickly currant, mountain mahogany, raspberry, pine dropseed mountain muhly, shrubby cinquefoil, Rocky mountain maple, red elderberry, baneberry, Colorado blue columbine, monkshood, bluebells, golden banner, yarrow and harebell.

      Montane grasslands or meadows are common in the northern portion on dry clay soils; common grass species include Arizona fescue, needlegrass, blue grama, prairie Junegrass, squirreltail, milkvetch, locoweed, penstemon, pussytoes and stonecrop. A variety of wetland communities are present along tributary drainages, pond margins and on seeps and springs. Several uncommon or rare plant species on the park include calypso orchid, rattlesnake fern, grass fern, maidenhair spleenwort, bunchberry, swamp violet and golden sedge.

      Aspen trees frame the view of a trail through a meadow with a dense stand of aspens and pine trees on the right.

      Aspen trees frame the view of a trail through a meadow with a dense stand of aspens and pine trees on the right.

      Upcoming Events

      Oct

      9

      Wandering Wagon-Bears!

      Wednesday, Oct 9

      Mueller State Park

      Have questions about bears? <strong>The wagon will be wandering </strong>around camper services and the campgrounds to chat with visitors about the amazing Colorado animal, the black bear.

      Oct

      9

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Wandering Wagon-Bears!

      Wednesday, Oct 9

      Mueller State Park

      Have questions about bears? <strong>The wagon will be wandering </strong>around camper services and the campgrounds to chat with visitors about the amazing Colorado animal, the black bear.

      Oct

      11

      Hug a Tree

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up. At the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

      Oct

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Hug a Tree

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up. At the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

      Oct

      11

      Sunset Elk Hike

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Fall is a great time of year to see and hear elk. Join us on this three mile hike through elk habitat to learn about elk and their behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them because the group will stop at certain locations to spend time looking for elk and other wildlife. The hike back to the trailhead will be dark, so also bring a headlamp or flashlight. This hike does include hills. Fun is guaranteed, seeing and/or hearing elk is not. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead 5:30 p.m. In order to have a better chance at seeing wildlife the number of spots for this hike are limited. Please call the visitor center to sign up at 719-687-2366.

      Oct

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Sunset Elk Hike

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Fall is a great time of year to see and hear elk. Join us on this three mile hike through elk habitat to learn about elk and their behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them because the group will stop at certain locations to spend time looking for elk and other wildlife. The hike back to the trailhead will be dark, so also bring a headlamp or flashlight. This hike does include hills. Fun is guaranteed, seeing and/or hearing elk is not. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead 5:30 p.m. In order to have a better chance at seeing wildlife the number of spots for this hike are limited. Please call the visitor center to sign up at 719-687-2366.

      Oct

      9

      Wandering Wagon-Bears!

      Wednesday, Oct 9

      Mueller State Park

      Have questions about bears? <strong>The wagon will be wandering </strong>around camper services and the campgrounds to chat with visitors about the amazing Colorado animal, the black bear.

      Oct

      9

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Wandering Wagon-Bears!

      Wednesday, Oct 9

      Mueller State Park

      Have questions about bears? <strong>The wagon will be wandering </strong>around camper services and the campgrounds to chat with visitors about the amazing Colorado animal, the black bear.

      Oct

      11

      Hug a Tree

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up. At the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

      Oct

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Hug a Tree

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up. At the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

      Oct

      11

      Sunset Elk Hike

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Fall is a great time of year to see and hear elk. Join us on this three mile hike through elk habitat to learn about elk and their behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them because the group will stop at certain locations to spend time looking for elk and other wildlife. The hike back to the trailhead will be dark, so also bring a headlamp or flashlight. This hike does include hills. Fun is guaranteed, seeing and/or hearing elk is not. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead 5:30 p.m. In order to have a better chance at seeing wildlife the number of spots for this hike are limited. Please call the visitor center to sign up at 719-687-2366.

      Oct

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Sunset Elk Hike

      Friday, Oct 11

      Mueller State Park

      Fall is a great time of year to see and hear elk. Join us on this three mile hike through elk habitat to learn about elk and their behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them because the group will stop at certain locations to spend time looking for elk and other wildlife. The hike back to the trailhead will be dark, so also bring a headlamp or flashlight. This hike does include hills. Fun is guaranteed, seeing and/or hearing elk is not. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead 5:30 p.m. In order to have a better chance at seeing wildlife the number of spots for this hike are limited. Please call the visitor center to sign up at 719-687-2366.

      History

      Rich in wildlife, Mueller State Park was once a Ute hunting ground before pioneers, ranchers and farmers settled in during the 1860s. The area witnessed the Pikes Peak gold rush in the late 1850s and the Cripple Creek gold rush in the 1890s, attracting prospectors and settlers. The land served various purposes, from logging for nearby towns to cattle grazing and farming, occasionally mingled with activities like bootlegging and horse thievery.

      In the 1950s, W.E. Mueller began acquiring local ranches to create Mueller Ranch. In the 1980s, the Mueller family designated the ranch as a game preserve. Later, the ranch was purchased by the Nature Conservancy and the Colorado State Parks and Division of Wildlife.

      Mueller State Park sits at the base of Pikes Peak, where elk, black bear, eagles and hawks are able to roam amongst the 5,121 acres of natural land. With the park's groves of aspen trees, each season is a delight for photographers and sightseers alike.