Just west of the hotel, North Cheyenne Cañon cuts deep into the granite flank of the Front Range, and the shift from city to canyon happens faster than you'd expect. The walls close in, the air cools, and the sound of rushing water finds you before Helen Hunt Falls comes into view. It rewards a slow walk more than a quick stop. But if the red rocks call louder, Garden of the Gods is a short drive north, where towering sandstone fins rise from the earth at impossible angles against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. The scale surprises people. Both places ask you to simply stand still for a moment and take in what Colorado has been doing for a very long time.
Within 25 miles · ranked by scenic score
3 Places Worth Seeing
Colorado Springs, CO
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
A 1,600-acre city park featuring a deep granite canyon with Helen Hunt Falls, a 35-foot waterfall accessible by a short walk from the road. The canyon's towering walls create dramatic lighting conditions and support dense vegetation including Douglas fir and blue spruce. Silver Cascade Falls, a lesser-known 150-foot seasonal waterfall, is accessible via a moderate trail.
Colorado Springs, CO
Garden of the Gods
A public park featuring dramatic red sandstone formations that were deposited in a horizontal position and tilted vertically by the same geological forces that created the Rocky Mountains. Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels are among the most photographed features. Pikes Peak provides a stunning backdrop to the red rock formations.
Colorado Springs, CO
Palmer Park
A 737-acre park featuring sandstone formations, mesa overlooks, and ponderosa pine forests on the east side of Colorado Springs. The park offers views of Pikes Peak to the west and the Great Plains to the east. Numerous rock formations throughout the park create natural frames and foreground interest.
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