Colorado Springs becomes a palette of beautiful foliage with the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop in the fall. The temperatures might start to drop, but you can still enjoy lots of outdoor fall activities. With lots of options, you can find a way to enjoy nature that matches your preferences and abilities.
Pumpkin patches and apple orchards offer a family-friendly way to enjoy time outdoors in the fall. Grab your grandchildren or a group of friends to enjoy a day at the pumpkin patch. Many of these spots offer a variety of outdoor activities, including bonfires, hay rides and corn mazes. Grab a pumpkin latte or hot apple cider and participate in fall activities. You can also bring home freshly picked apples to create fall treats or the perfect pumpkin to decorate your home.
Colorado Springs offers a variety of nature walk options, from relatively flat walking paths to intense hiking trails. This means there's something for all ability levels. Find a spot in nature that fits your physical abilities and follow the trail into nature. You might move your daily walk to a local park with lots of foliage or try new walks in various locations.
Grow a fall garden to enjoy more time outdoors. Cooler temperatures are ideal for a variety of plants, including various types of lettuce and carrots. If you prefer flowers, try mums or pansies in the fall in Colorado Springs. If you don't have a green thumb, visit public gardens or botanical centers to soak in the fall beauty.
If you enjoy walking in natural areas in the fall, collect some of the fallen debris to create decorative displays in your home. Colorful leaves, acorns and pine cones can go in a basket or on a fall wreath, for example. You can press autumn flowers to create a framed piece of art. If you have grandchildren nearby, help them collect fall nature items and glue them to cardboard to create a collage or make leaf rubbings.
If you want to enjoy nature without an intense hike or other outdoor activities, move your everyday activities outdoors. Journal in a nearby park, or do your morning yoga under a grove of fall-colored trees. If you meet with a group of friends regularly, move your autumn meetings to a beautiful natural location. This lets you add a little variety — and a dose of fall beauty — to your normal routine.
Jumping in a pile of leaves isn't just for kids. Playing with the fallen leaves is a fun way to let out your playful side. If you have grandchildren or other young relatives in the area, spend an afternoon raking up leaves and tossing them at each other. You can also head to a forested area and play in the leaves there.
You can see lots of fall foliage by hiking, but Colorado Springs also has plenty of leaf-viewing spots that you can access via vehicle if you're not a hiker. Some popular local spots for viewing autumn leaves include:
In Colorado Springs, the leaves start to turn colors in mid-September, with more intense colors at the end of September and into October. Take a scenic drive multiple times throughout fall to see the changes in the leaves.
Any time of year is a great time to watch local birds, but autumn can offer some unique opportunities. Migratory birds often pass through in the fall on their way to warmer climates. Spend some time near local lakes to see migratory waterfowl, or visit your favorite trails or nature centers to spot various birds there.
If you love photography, use your time outdoors to capture the changing fall scenes. Look for a favorite walking trail or spot in nature that you can start photographing in late summer. Visit regularly throughout the fall to take updated snapshots of the changes. Or visit several locations in one day to document the variety of autumn scenes around Colorado Springs. You can print and frame your photos or have a photo book made to display in your Broadmoor Court home.
Colorado Springs offers many nature centers, including the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center and the Bear Creek Nature Center. These facilities offer easy access to nature as well as indoor displays that explain what you're seeing outdoors. They often have guided walks along nature trails, so you can have support while you explore the autumn scenery. Check the facility schedules for special seasonal events that let you enjoy fall-specific activities.
They might not be in the heart of nature, but outdoor fall festivals let you enjoy the beautiful autumn colors and crisp air. Old Colorado City hosts the annual Aspens on the Avenue and Fallidays so you can enjoy some time outdoors in the fall. If you have kids in your life, Boo at the Zoo is a fun Halloween-themed option that lets you see lots of animals enjoying the fall weather along with the beautiful autumn views.
