Colorado Towns & Areas
1 Hour From Colorado Springs Map

A convenient hub for exploring much of Colorado's Front Range, Colorado Springs offers plenty of things to do in town and within an hour's drive of the city.

Nestled in an extinct volcano crater and riddled with gold fields is one of the most famous towns in south central Colorado. The 1890's gold rush helped to build Cripple Creek as the race to stake the first claim and "strike it rich" was on. The town and its surroundings eventually produced $600 million in gold. During the Summer months you can stop by the Butte Opera House in Cripple Creek to catch a melodrama complete with villains, heroes, and heroines. Cripple Creek's year-round limited stakes gambling casinos offer an opportunity to "strike it rich" nowadays.

Visitors who travel north of Colorado Springs will find themselves in Denver, the Mile High City. Full of attractions for kids, Denver is home to a fabulous Children's Museum, Ocean Journey aquarium and Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. Recreation lovers can bike, run or walk the city's many trails, such as the 20-mile Platte River Greenway, or visit Denver's many water bodies, including Chatfield Reservoir. Sports fans can choose among the games of the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Rockies, and the Colorado Rapids. And downtown Denver offers plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment options, including the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Located in southeastern Colorado along the south side of the Arkansas River, Fowler was once home to hunters and gatherers. Tribes such as the Arapahoe, Comanche, Kiowa and Ute all made their homes here. By the 1800's, the town had only a few residents as one of the eastern Colorado railroad stops. The settlers used the deep and swift water of the Arkansas River as their life source. They also ran a pulley along the river which they would send letters along as means of communication.

Beulah and the San Isabel Area, located in South Central Colorado, fit snug on the valley floor, in the foothills below the picturesque Wet Mountains. Local legend claims that this secluded valley became the favored hideout of a horse thief, Juan Mace. Located 25 miles southwest of Pueblo, this area is at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The San Isabel National Forest, an ideal place for picnicking, fishing and hiking, surrounds the area. The area is also home to Lake San Isabel, which is open year round and is stocked by the Colorado State Department of Wildlife.

Looking for something a little quieter? Head east of Colorado Springs for a look at Colorado's plains and a stop in Limon, the "Hub City" of eastern Colorado. Originally an important railroad town, Limon now lies at the intersection of five highways and serves as an important stopping point for long-haul truckers, quick-trip vacationers and everyone in between. Vacationers can visit the Limon Heritage Museum and Railroad Park to learn about the town's farming and railroad past. Or wander through the city's downtown, filled with antique shops, local restaurants, a park and an urban fishing pond.

Though not the highest peak in the state, Pikes Peak is the most traveled to mountain in North America and second in the world only to Mt Fuji in Japan. Zebulon Pike was the first white man to see the peak in 1806. Unfortunately, the man whose name is tied to the peak, was never able to reach the summit. He even predicted that no one would ever be able to scale this mountain. But in 1820, Stephen Long and 3 others climbed the mountain and reached the summit. Today, over 6 million people reach the summit each year, either by foot, automobile, or railroad. Those who have reached the summit understand what Kathy Lee Bates felt when she reached the summit, and was inspired to write the poem "America the Beautiful."

South of Colorado Springs, vacationers can head to Pueblo to peek at Colorado's Spanish and Native American roots. Once a major trade stop for Native American tribes, Spanish troops, mountain men and gold seekers, Pueblo's history is on display at places such as the El Pueblo Museum and the Southeast Colorado Heritage Museum. Fun seekers can walk, bike or boat the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk or spend a day boating and swimming at Pueblo Reservoir. Kids love the town's Buell Children's Museum, the Pueblo Zoo and the quarter rides at Pueblo's City Park.

Considered the climate capital of Colorado, Cañon City's natural setting protects it from harsh weather. Once a favorite camping area of the Ute Indians, both dinosaur bones and oil were discovered here. Five miles north of the city is the Garden Park Monument commemorating the 1877 dinosaur find. The Arkansas River, flows through the city and offers great fishing west of town, formed one of the most spectacular attractions in the state - the Royal Gorge, 8 miles west. The world's highest suspension bridge hangs a dizzying 1,053' above the rushing river, offering unforgettable vistas of the 8 mile canyon in the city's largest park. Beginning in May 1999, for the first time in 30 years, you can now travel through the spectacular Royal Gorge by rail aboard the Cañon City and Royal Gorge Railroad.