Cheyenne Mountan State Park is remarkably close to Colorado Springs, which makes it perfect for a quick getaway…. if you can score reservations. This park fills up fast!

We felt lucky to score a reservation for a pull-through Site (#56) at The Meadows Campground. This level, open, unshaded site offered nice views of Cheyenne Mountain and the lights of Colorado Springs. However it did leave us a bit exposed the wind. Next time we'll try to score one of the more sheltered sites on the opposite side of the loop. The firepits had high sides so our campfire was more immune to the gusty weather than we were.

The rangers in this park are very friendly. In fact, as we were cooking dinner, one came around and offered us a mini-class on the hummingbirds that live in the park. Wished we would have had time to stop by the visitor center to learn more about the local flora and fauna.

As runners, we loved the easy access to trails and you can earn a patch for exploring all 21 miles of trails throughout the park. Mountain bikers seemed to be having a ton of fun out there too.

Always a plus… The bathrooms have flush toilets and were super clean and well stocked.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs, CO.

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cheyennemountain

Made our way to Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs. The tent only sites are walk-in and $18…and by walk-in…between 10-100ft from the parking area depending on the site. By midday most were taken and we landed in the available #45 (which was handicap accessible). Pluses and minuses: close to the restroom. Convenience comes at a cost, a motion sensor light constantly tripping on and a tad noisy. Tent pads only…comprised of a small pea gravel base, but elevated two railroad ties high…you will not get standing water, that's for certain. #45 is a handicap site so it is all paved…walkway, picnic table, animal-proof food container and fire pit area…no dust or dirt. Could be a positive or negative depending on your expectations. In April the trees were just budding so there wasn't a ton of concealment or cover from your neighbors provided by the leafless shrubbery and mountain scrub. A water pump is ten feet away. Another site was handicap accessible like this one but the others were situated further back in the scrub in dirt trails offering greater privacy. Hammock hanging was limited on site #45 but could be creatively managed. Restrooms were very clean and well-stocked. The visitor center is beautiful, large, interesting and offers local trinkets to purchase. Camp registration office is located by the campground and also houses restrooms and the coin operated showers and laundry. Water appeared to be at a premium as the water fountains were not operating. Depending on the wind direction, and with no leaves on the trees yet…highway noise could be heard in the distance from interstate 25…but not loud enough to be an irritation… Not to mention the sound breaking the early morning air…revelee from the nearby Air Force base. Signage leaves little doubt where you are or where to go throughout the park. The trails are superb and offer a variety of high plains and mountain views. Trail markings are remarkable, offering both self-guided tutorial placards and strategically located gps coordinates, in case of injury. Runners and mountain bikers frequent the trails. Wildlife aplenty. Mule deer sauntered by throughout the park and tom turkeys strutted their stuff for all to see. Colorful songbirds dotted the trail (my favorite…bright blue mountain bluebird). Keep the elevation in mind when choosing activities. Being a "flatlander," it takes about 7-10 days for your body to adjust to high elevations, so allocate more time on the trails for recovery breaks and hydration. Definite plus or minus…dogs are allowed in the park, but not on the trails and must be leashed at all times. Even on a Monday night in mid April, the park was filled so reservations would be advised. You can choose electric/water sites but there is no privacy from your RV neighbor.

Creative mountainscape photos are necessary to avoid the mountaintop antenna towers from NORAD.

It was a pleasant camping experience and would visit again.

There is so much to do nearby that you need to stay in the area at least a week.

Here are a few of my favorite nearby hikes: -Mt Cutler trail, Mt Muscoco trail, Helen Hunt Falls, Seven Bridges Trail, Red Rock Canyon, The Manitou Incline (parking fee), The Barr Trail (to Pikes Peak summit), Garden of the gods, Palmer Park, and Stanley Canyon Reservoir (on the Air Force Academy grounds)…all are must do's! Only Red Rock Canyon and Garden of the gods are flatter and easy strolling. Countless other trails exist and would take a lifetime to explore…worthy reason to return again and again!

the campsites were spaced good, the shower facility was really nice.

Stayed in the Swift Puma campground, walk-in site 29, great privacy, very clean and well maintained with level camp pad, picnic table and bear box. Short walk from parking spot to the campsite. Close to bathrooms and showers, both very clean, showers are quarter operated, 4min/$1. Several deer nearby, many trails within the park that are worth checking out and accessible from campgrounds! Helpful Staff!

Nothing technical, well manicured trials with amazing views. Lots of wildlife, beware of rattlesnakes. Awesome Moutain Biking, great for family’s and beginners. Great camping spaces. Plenty of room in between rv spaces.

YES YES YES!! I loved this site it was close to everything I wanted to do and had the remote feeling I was looking for. I was able to visit rainbow Falls ( Graffiti Falls) in Manitou and Seven Falls in Colorado Springs from this site with no problem in the same day.

Sites were simple but had two different options with and without connections. When I was there it was considered winter rates which were $18 for no connections or $28 for full connections.

They do not require a reservation for this campsite and during the winter months are not full at all. I was there during the week and basically had the place to myself . But from what I was told they are very busy during prime months so it is suggested to get a site in advance especially for weekend stay.

This facility is very nice with several really interesting features including conference rooms and an amphitheater which you can rent.

One thing I wasn't expecting was pay showers so when I arrived I forgot to ask about that and had to make sure I had some cash when I returned from my adventures for those. I almost arrived to late for showers to be functioning, during cold weather months well into spring they are cut off for obvious concerns in freezing.

This site was around 20 minutes from Manitou Springs where I saw the Graffiti Falls and only about 10 minutes from Seven Falls. It was located in an area with quick access to Colorado Springs and the many amenities it has to offer in way of shopping and food without being right in the middle of the city.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes boondock style camping but can't find a spot due to the more strict rules in Colorado Springs, it is inexpensive and gives you a place to also have some really great amenities.

TIPS:

• If you are camping a lot in Colorado check out their State Park pass which is available for $70 and allows discounts and admission to state maintained facilities.
• Bring cash for showers!! Don't be like me be prepared.

excellent, new bathrooms with pay showers and a laundry facility. There is no shade here which was brutal during the afternoon but as soon as the sun went behind the mountain things cooled off quickly.

lots of nice, well-marked, scenic trails in the park. our kids liked the nighttime view of the city and plains below best of all. each site had a shared picnic area in addition to its own picnic table. very nice!

We had a walk in sight that was beautiful! Great view, private, and even saw some deer walk by at dusk. Showers cost a couple bucks coins and only last 4 minutes, so scrub quick. Lots of stuff for kids to do and close to Colorado Springs.

This is a very nice State Park campground. Exceptionally clean and well maintained. There are few trees but some great views of Colorado Springs at night, Fort Carson and Cheyenne Mountain. Nice level sites with water, electric and sewer.

our 8 man tent was hanging off of the camping plot in some places, so measure your tent before you go! good showers available, and lots of walking trails. close to the Garden of the Gods, and just at the edge of town, so lots of accessibility to food, shopping and other attractions. we were right in with nature--we heard wolves howling every night. the bathrooms were very close by which was great. the site for choosing your camping spot was easy, and checking in was really easy when we got there.