Trail Guides & Manitou Springs Stories
Stories from the trail, tips for your next adventure, and a look behind the scenes at The Outrider. Whether you're planning your first visit or dreaming of a return, there's something here for you.
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The World's Only Mountain Zoo: Your Complete Guide to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Perched at 6,800 feet on the slope of Cheyenne Mountain — where you can hand-feed a giraffe with Pikes Peak looming behind you. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Underground Colorado: Your Complete Guide to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Just minutes from The Outrider, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park hides one of Colorado's most dramatic underground worlds—plus a Terror-Dactyl swing and treetop aerial course above the canyon. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Red Rock Royalty: Your Complete Guide to Garden of the Gods
Free to enter, impossible to forget. Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado's crown jewels—just minutes from The Outrider. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of it.
The Canyon Behind Town: Your Guide to Helen Hunt Falls & North Cheyenne Cañon Park
Most visitors to Manitou Springs never make it to North Cheyenne Cañon—but those who do find one of Colorado's most dramatic free parks just minutes from The Outrider. Here's how to make the most of it.
Riding to the Roof of the Rockies: Your Complete Guide to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Step aboard the world's highest cog railway, departing steps from The Outrider. Here's everything you need to know before you ride to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.
The Locals' Guide: 5 Manitou Springs Hidden Gems Most Visitors Never Find
Forget the guidebooks. From a Victorian castle hiding in plain sight to free mineral springs you can drink from on the street, here are five Manitou Springs hidden gems worth seeking out.
From Peak to Plunge: The Ultimate Recovery Experience at The Outrider
Elevate your recovery with our modern wellness area featuring a sauna and two cold plunges—the perfect reset after hiking in Manitou Springs.
Trail-to-Table: The Best Local Eats Near The Outrider
Hungry after the hike? Discover the best local eats near The Outrider, from legendary calzones at Savelli's to craft brews at Manitou Brewing Co.
The Post-Adventure Pour: Best Spots for an After-Hike Drink
From self-pour taps at Trails End to margaritas at Crystal Park Cantina, discover the best spots for a post-hike drink near The Outrider lodge.
Under the Colorado Stars: A Guide to Stargazing in Manitou Springs
From the silhouettes of Garden of the Gods to the quiet canyons of Red Rock Open Space, discover the best stargazing in Manitou Springs.
Ancient Colorado: Your Complete Guide to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Just two miles from The Outrider, a remarkable piece of Ancestral Puebloan history awaits. Discover the story, the artifacts, and the best way to experience the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
Conquer the Steps: Your Complete Guide to the Manitou Incline
One mile. 2,744 steps. Nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The Manitou Incline is one of Colorado's most iconic challenges—and it starts just minutes from The Outrider's front door.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Your Complete Guide to Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Just minutes from The Outrider, Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers 1,474 acres of dramatic sandstone hogbacks, free admission, and uncrowded trails — Colorado Springs' best-kept hiking secret.
Hiking to the Sky: Your Complete Guide to Barr Trail & Barr Camp
Most visitors take the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. But the real adventure begins on foot. Barr Trail is Colorado's most legendary alpine trek—and Barr Camp, the historic mountain sanctuary halfway up, is one of the Pikes Peak region's best-kept secrets.
The Perfect Weekend in Manitou Springs: A 48-Hour Itinerary
Two days, one remarkable Colorado mountain town. From the Incline at dawn to dinner on Manitou Avenue, here's the definitive local's guide to spending a weekend in Manitou Springs — using The Outrider as your basecamp.
Manitou's Victorian Secret: Your Complete Guide to Miramont Castle
Hidden on a hill above Manitou Avenue, Miramont Castle is one of Colorado's most extraordinary and overlooked landmarks. Built in 1895 with nine different architectural styles in a single structure, it's the kind of place that stops you mid-sentence when you first see it—and stays with you long after you leave.
20 Minutes Up the Pass: Your Guide to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado's Most Overlooked Mountain Town
Tucked along Ute Pass just a short drive from Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls is the kind of place most visitors never find—a quiet, creekside mountain town with a lakeside gazebo, a waterfall hike, and the unhurried pace of Colorado at its most genuine.
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