The best times to visit Colorado Springs

11.12.2024 - 16:39 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 10, 2024 • 5 min read

In Colorado Springs, there are beautiful mountain vistas, awesome outdoor adventures and interesting cultural experiences available year-round. The visitors center at the Garden of the Gods offers an interactive way to see a 365-day time-lapse of the famous rock formations. Whether you choose to come in the summer when the landscapes are green, in the fall when the foliage is at its prime, or in the winter when everything is under a blanket of snow, you won’t be disappointed. Plan the right time for your visit with this seasonal guide.

During the high season, you’ll enjoy scenic green landscapes and wildflowers during the long days of summer. And you'll be sharing it all with plenty of other tourists on a similar mission. Avoid the crowds at popular attractions by adventuring early in the day and late in the afternoon. The temperatures are milder and the sunlight is better for photos at those times. There are a handful of festive events to attend Memorial Day through Labor Day, so plan accordingly. Or maybe watching donkey races at Derby Days in Cripple Creek might be more your speed.

June is the busiest month for visitors in Colorado Springs, and hotel prices soar an average of 53%. While local events like the Old Colorado City Farmers Market get underway, a major event comes to town: the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Racers speed their vehicles to the top as fast as they can. (The record is under eight minutes!) Spectators can grab a ticket and camping permit to get close to all the action. 

The July 4 Star Spangled Symphony draws crowds to Pikes Peak Center for music, fireworks and several other community events. Taste of Pikes Peak gets underway with over 80 restaurants and vendors coming together to serve up yummy bites. July tends to be the hottest month, with the average temps around 56–86°F, so cool down and go white water rafting in Cañon City. Stop by the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, which promises boats, bands and beer.

Fall is a favorite time to get outside in nature in and around Colorado Springs. The weather is comfortable, the crowds are considerably less, and the scenery is stunning. Take a drive and admire the fall colors on the way to Royal Gorge Canyon or while cruising up Pikes Peak, or head out on a hike to see the foliage up close. Note the timing varies slightly from year to year, especially at different elevations, so keep an eye on the fall color forecast.

The summer season ends with a bang when over 70 hot-air balloons launch from Memorial Park as part of the Labor Day Lift Off. In September, the Pikes Peak Marathon + Ascent challenges runners to go 13.1 miles to the top of Barr Trail then descend to the start. October temps are generally in the