There are a variety of winter activities available at Mueller State Park, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; sledding, tubing and snowboarding on four recommended hills; and 17 electric sites for winter camping. Call the park at (719) 687-2366 for current snow conditions or check the conditions page. Come on out and enjoy the snow!
Winter Camping
Don’t let your camping season end when the leaves fall off the trees! Mueller State Park is open for camping through the winter. Mueller has 17 electrical sites available within the Peak View Campground and the Revenuer’s Ridge Campground (Sites 1 –9, 11, 12 and 85 – 90) – during the winter (approximately October 15 until May 15) Showers, laundry and potable water are closed for the winter. See the Camping page for a full description of Mueller’s camping facilities. If you rather not rough it this winter, try one of Mueller’s three modern cabins.
Winter Trail Suggestions for Cross-country Skier and Snowshoers
Enjoy a fresh snowfall and uncrowded trails as you snowshoe, cross-country ski, or hike at Mueller this winter. Please note: trails are not groomed.
Beginning snowshoers and skiers
Campground - Ski on the road to the Grouse Mountain trailhead. When you reach the trailhead, ski to the Grouse Mountain turnoff. Return the same way. Round-trip distance = 2.2 miles.
Outlook Ridge - Ski on trail 7 until it intersects trail 9. Return the same way. If you continue past trail 9, the trail drops steeply down to trail 25. Round-trip distance = 1.4 miles.
Intermediate snowshoers and skiers
School Pond - Ski the trail's #2 loop by following the orange arrows. This trail offers moderate to difficult hills. Round-trip distance = 1.5 miles.
Lost Pond - To complete the loop, follow the blue arrows. Ski on trail #11 until it intersects trail 7. Ski trail 7 uphill, to the trail 1 connection that will take you back to the Lost Pond trailhead. Ski the connection to where you started from. Round-trip distance = 2.4 miles.
Homestead - Ski on trail 12 until it intersects trail 26. Turn left on trail 26 and ski across an open meadow until you reach Geer Pond (trail 25). Turn left on trail 25 and ski 0.8 miles to Lost Pond. Climb steadily uphill on trail 11 until you reach trail 1. This is the connection back to Homestead trailhead. Round-trip distance = 3.3 miles.
Elk Meadow - For a shorter route, ski trail 18 to trail 19. Follow trail 19 to the Peak View trailhead. From there, ski the road to the Elk Meadow parking lot. Round-trip distance = 1.8 miles. For a longer, more challenging route, ski trail 18 to its intersection with trail 17. Turn left on trail 17 and ski it back to the Grouse Mountain trailhead. Ski the road back to Elk Meadow parking lot. Round-trip distance = 4.8 miles.
Advanced snowshoers and skiers
Cheesman Ranch - Ski on the unplowed road to the Grouse Mountain trailhead. At the Grouse Mountain trailhead, ski the trail 17 loop. Round-trip distance = 7.0 miles.
Ranger Ridge - Ski on trail 2 until its intersection with trail 3. Follow trail 3, going up and down very steep, difficult hills. While the loop is not very long, it is most definitely challenging. Round-trip distance = 1.9 miles.
Sledding and Tubing
Bring your sled and/or tubing and enjoy a fun day at Mueller!
With sufficient snow conditions, we recommended the following four areas for sledding and tubing. Please check in advance to see if hills have enough snow. For your safety, helmets are suggested.
Elk Meadow - east side of parking lot (looking at Pikes Peak
Preacher’s Hollow - east side of picnic area (looking at Pikes Peak)
Peak View Hill - across from sites 1-5 (looking at Pikes Peak)
School Pond - tiny tuber's hill; the hill on the back side of the parking lot
