25 Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs in the Fall

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Colorado Springs is especially beautiful to visit during the fall! Seeing the fall foliage in Colorado Springs is on many people's bucket lists, and the city also hosts various fall festivals and events.

A few of the best things to do in Colorado Springs in the fall include visiting the pumpkin patch at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, flying over forests on a hot air balloon ride, and taking a scenic drive along Pikes Peak Highway. Keep reading to discover all the memorable activities to enjoy in Colorado Springs during the fall!

Heading to Colorado Springs and planning last-minute?

Before traveling to Colorado Springs, book your accommodations and experiences ahead of time. Here are some top choices to make your trip enjoyable.

🏨 Top accommodations in Colorado Springs

• Chalet Val D'Isere (rated highly)
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs (relax by the pool)
• Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas (4-star rating)

☂️ Top tours and experiences in Colorado Springs

• Jeep Tour - Foothills & Garden of the Gods (likely to sell out)
• Woods Course Zipline Tour in Seven Falls (likely to sell out)
• Breathtaking Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight (likely to sell out)
• Pikes Peak Jeep Tour (rated highly)
• Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Old Stage Road Jeep Tour (rated highly)

25 Fall Activities in Colorado Springs

Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs in Fall

Tour the Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado's most famous natural landmarks. The area is known for its unique red rock formations and is an ideal place to hike, climb, or take a scenic drive.

One of the best guided tours to consider joining is a Garden of the Gods driving tour. You'll be driven through the park past all of the best features. Your guide can also offer information on the geology and ecology of the area.

🏨 Stay in close proximity to the Garden Of The Gods

• Magnuson Grand Pikes Peak (well-rated)
• Villa Motel at Manitou Springs (soak up the sun poolside)

Mountain bike along Gold Camp Road

Gold Camp Road is a dirt trail that's especially pretty to hike or bike in the fall if the weather is dry. The trail is 8.6 miles one way and is suitable for most activity levels. A cool way to explore the trail is by joining a Gold Camp Road mountain biking tour.

Your guide will take you on a scenic bike ride, where you can enjoy views over the mountainous landscape and Colorado Springs. You'll also learn a little more about the area's history and its connection to the gold rush.

Pick pumpkins at Miners' Pumpkin Patch

Nothing says fall more than a pumpkin patch! A popular one to visit in Colorado Springs is Miner's Pumpkin Patch at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry. During a visit, you can take cute fall-themed pictures and choose a pumpkin to take home.

There are also on-site food trucks, a market, and family-friendly amusements like gold panning, yard games, and a corn maze. Going to this attraction is definitely one of the best things to do in colorado springs in October, and the patch is open on Saturdays throughout the month.

🏨 Stay near Miners Pumpkin Patch

• The Lodge at Flying Horse (highly rated)

See the fall trees at North Cheyenne Canyon Park

Another of the best places to visit in Colorado Springs in the fall is North Cheyenne Canyon Park. Visitors to the park will discover many trails that lead through woodlands and to waterfalls.

You can also find lookout points, offering stunning views across the canyon. In addition, one of the best features of this park is the Aspen groves which turn gorgeous yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall. As you explore, you'll spot animals, too, like birds, mule deer, and maybe even bears!

Zipline through the forest

Ziplining is one of the most fun activities in Colorado Springs in the fall. You can book with multiple zipline companies that operate around Colorado Springs, including at Seven Falls. No matter where you go ziplining, you'll be able to admire the stunning fall forests while enjoying a memorable adventure activity.

Fly above Colorado Springs on a hot air balloon ride

Taking a hot air balloon ride is the best way to take in the fall scenery around Colorado Springs. This sunrise excursion will allow you to fly over central Colorado Springs and the surrounding woodlands and forests as the sun rises. This activity is also one of the most romantic things to do in Colorado Springs!

Experience a ghost tour

Going on a Colorado Springs ghost tour is a fun and unique activity, especially if you're visiting around Halloween. You'll get to visit multiple spots around the city that were the site of a spooky event or ghost sighting.

At each stop, you'll be able to learn more about the city's haunted past. You'll also see historical landmarks and will learn some fun Colorado facts.

🏨 Accommodations close to The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel

• Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs Downtown, co (rated very highly)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Colorado Springs Central

VisitCOS.com

See animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A fun place to visit in the fall is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This attraction is notably one of the best places to go with kids in Colorado Springs.

You can see many animals at the zoo, from giraffes and rhinos to bears and cougars. You can also attend themed events during the fall season, like Halloween nights.

Wander around Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 1,474-acre park with a stunning landscape of forests, canyons, and lakes. It's the ideal place to go for a walk on a crisp fall day, and there are multiple trails to follow. If you're visiting with dogs, there are some off-leash loop trails too.

In addition, there are picnic areas where you can stop to enjoy lunch surrounded by beautiful scenery.

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to Red Rock Canyon Open Space

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Manitou Springs (rated very highly)
• Red Wing Motel

Try rock climbing at CityRock

CityRock is one of the best indoor attractions in Colorado Springs. It's also one of the best places to visit in Colorado Springs in fall if the weather isn't great.

The space has numerous rock climbing walls for all abilities, and lessons are offered for all levels and ages. This venue also has yoga classes if you want a more relaxed fitness activity.

🏨 Accommodation in close proximity to CityROCK

• The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel (rated highly)

Listen to live music and enjoy German food at Oktoberfest

One of the most popular things to do in autumn in Colorado Springs is going to Oktoberfest. This German-themed festival is held at the end of September and features live entertainment, German beer and food, and even a costume contest!

Other fun things include sipping German wines, watching cute dachshund races, and participating in a schnapps tasting. Going to this iconic event at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry when visiting Colorado Springs is sure to be memorable!

CheriAlguire/Depositphotos.com

Look around the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

If the weather is cold, heading to the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a great idea. The historical home and farm were constructed in 1875 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Today, the ranch acts as a history museum with exhibits on life in Colorado Springs in the 19th and early 20th centuries. You can also look around the farmland, which has some animals and there's a harvest festival in October.

🏨 Accommodations close to Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

• Days Inn by Wyndham Manitou Springs (unwind poolside)
• Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn (top-rated)

Sip pumpkin beer at Colorado Mountain Brewery

Colorado Mountain Brewery is the perfect place to grab some classic pub food and a beer. Interestingly, this brewery has seasonal beers, which often includes a pumpkin brew in the fall.

You can accompany your pumpkin beer with dishes and snacks like burgers, soft pretzels, or pizza. Bristol Brewing is another spot that serves pumpkin beer if you enjoyed the drink!

Attend Harvest Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch

Going to the Harvest Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch is another of the best activities in Colorado Springs in fall, especially if you're visiting with family. The event takes place in October and features live music, a pumpkin patch, and much more.

After enjoying the festival amusements, you can relax with a slice of freshly baked pie using in-season ingredients.

🏨 Nearest accommodation to Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

• Garden of the Gods Club & Resort (4-star rating)

Go back in time in Old Colorado City

As the name suggests, Old Colorado City is one of the oldest parts of Colorado Springs. The neighborhood is filled with charming historical buildings and some other landmarks.

You'll also find many independent shops, bars, and restaurants here, all of which are a bit more contemporary than the buildings they're housed in! If visiting in September or October, you can also go to a farmers market.

🏨 Accommodation close to Old Colorado City

• Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort - Amazing Access to Local Trails & the Garden (rated highly)

Best Things to Do Near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in Fall

Explore the Pikes Peak region

Pikes Peak is a scenic area that offers views of the Rocky Mountains. Fall is the best time to plan a trip to Colorado Springs to explore this area as you can see stunning autumn trees along with the famous mountain range.

An ideal way to explore is by going on a Pikes Peak Jeep tour. You'll be driven to multiple attractions, like Glen Cove and Manitou Springs, where you can admire the views and learn more about the area.

Hike in the Pike National Forest

Hiking in Pike National Forest is definitely one of the best activities near Colorado Springs in the fall. The forest covers over a million acres and features many scenic wilderness trails. Once on a trail, you'll be able to marvel at the green, red, and orange trees and will likely spot lots of wildlife.

Drive along the Pikes Peak Highway

Another great way to see Pikes Peak and the beautiful fall colors and scenery is by driving along the Pikes Peak Highway. This road runs for 19 miles and reaches an altitude of 14,115 feet! As you drive, you'll be able to take in the scenery and stop at some well-known attractions along the route.

Camp in Mueller State Park

If visiting the Colorado Springs area during the fall and the weather is good, going camping is a must! One of the best places to do so is at Mueller State Park. This 5,112-acre park features beautiful forests and many trails, including backcountry trails.

After a day of exploring the park, you can set up your campsite and hang out under the stars next to the campfire, enjoying the fall night air.

Ride the railway from Manitou Springs

A popular attraction to check out in Manitou Springs is the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The railway station is located just 15 minutes from central Colorado Springs.

Once aboard the train, you'll travel through Pikes Peak, taking in the stunning views. You'll then return to Manitou Springs, where you can look around the village with lots of shops and restaurants.

🏨 Stay nearby The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

• Cliff House at Pikes Peak (4-star rating)

Road trip to Vail

Vail is a renowned skiing town that's somewhat of a Colorado landmark due to being such a popular spot for winter getaways. If you're interested in visiting, you'll be pleased to hear that Vail is only two and a half hours from Colorado Springs.

Those wanting to enjoy snowsports can generally do so beginning in mid-November. However, if you visit the city during the rest of the fall, you'll still find many things to do in Vail.

Activities to enjoy include hiking and biking, taking a sky gondola ride over the mountain and forests, and visiting luxurious spas. You can also walk around the ski village, looking at shops and visiting apres-ski style bars.

🏨 Places to stay close to Vail

• Grand Hyatt Vail (rated highly)
• Sonnenalp (5-star rating)

Walk across Royal Gorge Bridge

Royal Gorge is a canyon on the Arkansas River located about an hour from Colorado Springs. The most famous attraction here is the Royal Gorge Bridge, which is the highest suspension bridge in the United States. The bridge sits 956 feet above the river below and stretches for 1,260 feet across the canyon.

Thrill seekers can walk across the bridge, admiring the views across the canyon. Other adventure activities to try here include riding the world's scariest sky coaster and ziplining across the gorge.

Apple pick at Happy Apple Farm

Happy Apple Farm is another great family-friendly attraction in the Colorado Springs area. Located about 30 minutes from central Colorado Springs, the farm offers u-pick apples with a range of varieties available.

During the fall, there's also a pumpkin patch, and you can get fresh pressed apple cider during your visit. The farm is generally open in the summer through the fall, closing around mid-November.

Drive to Denver

Denver is one of the most famous cities in Colorado and is well worth a visit if staying in Colorado Springs. This renowned city, which has the Colorado nickname "The Mile-High City," is located a little over an hour from Colorado Springs.

Things to do in Denver in the fall include hiking in nearby parks and forests, getting pumpkin spice lattes from the city's quirky coffee shops, and joining a Halloween bar crawl. You can also explore the greater Denver area to visit corn mazes, apple picking spots, and pumpkin patches.

🏨 Accommodations nearby Denver

• Limelight Hotel Denver (rated very highly)
• Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver (5-star rating)

Visit Cripple Creek

Another of the best things to do around Colorado Springs in the fall is exploring Cripple Creek. This area is a historic mining town that has a lot of attractions. Things to do here include seeing wild donkeys, riding the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, and venturing underground at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine.

🏨 Places to stay close to Cripple Creek

• Cripple Creek Hospitality House & Travel Park (highly rated)
• Hotel st Nicholas

In Conclusion

You can discover an array of fun things to do during fall in Colorado Springs! Activities to do between September and November include attending events like Oktoberfest or harvest festivals, visiting pumpkin patches, and hiking through woodlands full of autumn foliage.

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