Cheyenne Mountain State Park won't be fully open for several years yet. However, there's some 20 miles of hiking and biking trails (16 different trails in all - rated easy to moderate) that can take you from the prairie to peak eco-systems in a matter of a couple hours walk (or ride). Dogs and horses are not allowed on the trails in order to protect ground-nesting birds and to help keep the natural surrounding eco-systems intact. The visitor center is open for information, shopping and educational exhibits but most folks will just want to meander around this mountain/foothill countryside and enjoy the great views over Colorado Springs and the eastern plains.

There are 41 day-use picnic sites available all year round. Each site has a picnic table and fire grill with excellent views.

Formerly the JL Ranch, Cheyenne Mountain State Park preserves and protects 1,680 acres of pristine countryside just beneath the eastern flank of Cheyenne Mountain against the edge of the Great Plains, one of the last significant open spaces along the southern part of the Front Range. This is on the westside of State Highway 115 sandwiched in between NORAD and Fort Carson. Wildlife on the property includes elk, mule deer, cougars, black bears, foxes, coyotes, prairie dogs, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys and golden eagles.

A day use pass costs $7 per vehicle, but you can also buy the annual Colorado State Parks pass for $70. They haven't posted camping fees yet but they promise to do so as facilities open...

Cheyenne Mountain State Park Rules & Regs:

  1. The park is presently open for day-use only. No camping is allowed yet.
  2. Open fires are allowed only in the provided grills and fire rings.
  3. No smoking is allowed in the backcountry or on the trails.
  4. No pets are allowed on the trails. Pets are allowed in the parking lots and picnic sites but must be on a leash at all times.
  5. Horses are not allowed in the park.
  6. As tempting as the rock formations may be, no climbing or rappelling is allowed.
  7. Keep all vehicles on designated roads and parking areas.
  8. No tree cutting or wood gathering is allowed.
  9. There is no hunting allowed in the park.