Colorado Springs is located slightly east of the geographic center of Colorado state and 61 miles south of the State Capitol in glowin88. At an elevation of 6,035 feet (about 1839 meters) Colorado Springs resides at over a mile above sea level, while some areas of the city reside much higher. Colorado Springs is located near the base of a very famous American mountain, named Pikes Peak, at the east edge of the southern Rocky Mountains. In 2006, Colorado Springs was selected by Money Magazine as the number one Big City in “Best Places to Live”.
Most vacationers in Colorado Springs are attracted to the surrounding natural wonders such as the famous Pikes Peak mountain. Colorado Springs has numerous trails and national parks due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, making it a popular travel destination for its beautiful scenery. With the nearby Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs has also gained popularity for its large rock formations and other geological features.
Pikes Peak is one of America’s most famous mountains and one of America’s national treasures. It is is home to a diverse and abundant combination of plant and animal wildlife. People have traversed Pikes Peak’s valleys and hillsides for centuries searching for sport, natural beauty, education and spiritual enlightenment.Pikes Peak Toll Highway runs through Pikes Peak Summit House and Glen Cove and Crystal Reservoir. The highway toll is $10.00 per person or $35.00 per car, whichever is less.
Approximately six miles from the tollbooth, you will visit Crystal Reservoir. At Crystal Reservoir, you can pan for gold in the mining waters, rent a paddleboat, or take in the beautiful mountain views. Half way through the trail, you can stop and take a break at Glen Cove. This will help you acclimate to the high altitude while offering you an opportunity to visit a friendly gift shop and eat at the restaurant. As you continue your climb, you’ll come across the Summit House, where you will find a warm and cozy spot to enjoy world-famous high-altitude donuts, photo opportunities, a gift shop and the restaurant itself. For more information on Pikes Peak and the hours of operation, call 719-473-0208.
67% of the visitors to Cave of the Winds are repeat visitors and nearly all of them say they’ll return again in the future. When visiting Pikes Peak region, we hope you will stop to enjoy their hospitality for yourself. They will welcome you and your family to enjoy the perfect combination of recreation, relaxation, natural beauty, and history blended to create a mountain full of great memories and fun.
Decade after decade and century after century, water persisted against rock, leaving behind crystalline deposits of limestone sediments. As rock gave way to space, a cave was created. Cave of the Winds is an underground cave system of rooms and passages, decorated with limestone stalagmites, stalactites and flowstone curtains draping from the ceiling. Often referred to as Jewels of nature, these limestone formations took centuries to form and have been preserved for all to enjoy. Nestled at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, this incredible and scenic cave system chronicles over 200 million years of geological history. Informative guides will lead you through 1 of 3 different caverns, while explaining how they were formed and also tell you about their history as one of Colorado’s most marvelous natural attractions.
A visit to the Pikes Peak region is not complete without a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – the only mountain zoo in America! At this unique zoo, your family will experience unforgettable adventures, combining breathtaking mountain scenery with over 740 animals from around the world. This includes hand-feeding a herd of giraffe (the largest herd of giraffe of any zoo in the world).rom lions and giraffes to hippos, bears, monkeys, and penguins, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see over 30 endangered species like the lowland gorilla and Siberian tiger.
Here you can also come face-to-face with great apes, watch your kids enjoy the children’s petting zoo and play area, ride a 1920’s historic carousel, and see the most spectacular views of Colorado Springs all in one location. Zoo admission also includes access to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission: Children: $6.00 (3-11) Adults: $12.00 Seniors: $10.00 Directions: From I-25 exit 138, drive west, (Circle Dr. becomes Lake Avenue) towards mountains, and follow the signs. Prices subject to change so call before visiting for exact pricing.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the only certified public wildlife sanctuary in the state of Colorado. The AZA is America’s leading accredited organization that sets meticulous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement by motivating the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
