9 Cañon City & Colorado Springs Adventures with Kids

Head to Colorado Springs and Cañon City for an exciting, outdoorsy family vacation. Located in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains, a trip here will help parents and children connect with each other and with nature in unexpected ways. Here are nine amazing things to do in Cañon City and Colorado Springs with kids.

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1. Ride the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Start in your adventure in Colorado’s second biggest city, Colorado Springs. It’s located a little over an hour by car from Denver.

At over 14,000-feet-tall, you can’t miss the beautiful Pikes Peak. But to really appreciate this mountain, you will need to journey to its summit.

Almost all kids love trains so they’ll enjoy the journey up Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway. A cog railway features a central toothed rail for ascending very steep inclines, and this is the highest one in the world.

The conductor gives historical information about Pikes Peak and the railway throughout the 1.5-hour climb, pointing out interesting spots, like Minnehaha Falls. You’ll also be treated to the stunning view that inspired the lyrics to the song, “America the Beautiful”. During the journey, you may spy mule deer or marmots (a.k.a. whistle pigs).

Once at the top, you get about 30 to 40 minutes to explore. That’s enough time to grab a snack, snap some photos, and use the restroom. The snack bar‘s most popular item is their doughnuts, mostly because it’s difficult to make these goodies at such high elevation. Purchase a bag of donuts along with a cup of hot chocolate as reward for making it all the way up.

Be sure to bring a sweater and/or jacket even on a warm Colorado Springs day. Temperatures at the top can be 30 to 40 degrees colder than below. You should also make advanced reservations to nab seats on the train. Pack some things to entertain the kiddos, too. The ride up may capture their attention but by the time you head back, they’ll be ready for some travel toys and games.

If you tend to suffer from motion sickness, then beware that you will need to ride backward either up or down on the journey. (Unless a seat mate is willing to swap with you.) Drink lots of water and bring along some Dramamine just in case you experience nausea from the elevation or the ride.

Manitou Springs is the wee town at the base of Pikes Peak. I wish we’d had time to explore here. It’s got some adorable-looking shops and restaurants, plus its very own castle. Read more about what there is to do in Manitou Springs on TripAdvisor.

2. Explore Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Once you’ve gone up, it’s time to go down…into Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. Register in advance for one of three cave tours. You’ll learn about the cave’s history and its stalactites and stalagmites.

After the kids have had their educational fill, let them loose for some play. There’s a giant adventure slide, a ropes course, gem panning, and climbing wall at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.

For those who are feeling very adventurous, give Bat-A-Pult a go. It launches riders up to 40 miles per hour on a 1,200-foot flight across Williams Canyon. (Must be 42+ inches to ride.) If that’s not scary enough, then go for the Terror-dactyl instead. It shoots brave souls 200 feet into the canyon at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. (Riders must be 48+ inches and weigh 100 to 250 pounds.)

3. Tour Garden of the Gods

This National Natural Landmark is made of startling 300-foot sandstone rock formations, surrounded by trees and greenery. In the distance you can see the snow-topped Pikes Peak. All of this is framed by a heavenly blue sky with cotton ball clouds. A visit to Garden of the Gods made me feel like I’d stepped into a painting.

Start with a visit to the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. With its interactive, electronic displays about this free City Park and its animal inhabitants, you may have a hard time convincing kids to leave. But you must if you’re going to get a closer view of the rock formations.

We took an informative 45-minute motorized tour of the park. There are all sorts of Garden of the Gods tours to choose from, including Segway tours, horseback adventures and guided hikes. This was my favorite part of our explorations in and near Colorado Springs with kids. Someday I hope to return and get closer to this natural beauty than I did from the seat of a trolley.

4. Visit Animals at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

I have to admit I wasn’t all that excited to visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I figured this zoo would be the same as any other zoo. Boy, was I wrong. America’s only mountain zoo blew me away with its lush habitats and the number of animals and species housed here.

What’s more, this zoo is home to the largest herd of giraffes at any zoo in the world. The best part? Hand-feeding lettuce leaves to the giraffes! At other zoos I’ve visited, you must wait a long time for your turn to give the giraffe a cracker of some sort and then quickly move on. Not so here! Lettuce leaves are available for purchase all day, at a reasonable price, too. Then, offer the leafy treats to these long-legged beauties. They’ll gently pull the leaves into their mouths with their dexterous black tongues. Get a feel for this exhibit by watching their Giraffe Cam.

Another highlight of our visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was the wallaby display. You walk through the exhibit, with free-range wallabies hopping about. It was amazing to get so close to these adorable Australian marsupials.

All of the animals were particularly active on the day we visited, too. Did you know tigers swim? Apparently they do at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! Sadly, my group only had a few hours here. I advise planning to stay the whole day to explore the displays of 750 animals, representing 170 species from around the world.

5. Play at Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs

I believe in balance during family vacations. If there’s too much go-go-go site-seeing, then your whole crew will get overwhelmed and cranky. On the other hand, when there are too many educational activities, some kids may get bored. I like a nice blend of manmade fun and nature-focused experiences. After lots of learning and play in the great outdoors, book a stay at Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs with kids. The indoor water park, arcade, ropes course, miniature bowling alley, and climbing wall will keep kids content for hours…or days, depending on the length of your vacation.

My daughter’s favorite part was MagiQuest, an electronic scavenger hunt of sorts that requires the purchase of a special magic wand. (Good news: the wands work at all Great Wolf Lodge locations.) Meanwhile, mom and dad can belly up to the bar to enjoy a creative cocktail or two.

If you want to stay in the adorable Great Wolf Lodge indoor cabins you’ve seen on TV, then you’re going to need to pay a premium for a Themed Room. It may be worth it, though, not only for the extra space afforded by bunk beds for the kids, but also for the smiles on your children’s faces when they see the room set up.

Watch my video tour below of the Great Wolf Lodge to discover all that this resort has to offer in Colorado Springs for families.

6. Relax at Cheyenne Mountain Resort

If you’re looking for a more peaceful place to rest your adventure weary heads, then choose Cheyenne Mountain Resort instead. With its expansive grounds and idyllic setting, this resort reminded me of where Baby stayed with her family in Dirty Dancing.

Expect traditional activities at this picturesque lakeside resort. Enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, golf, spa, basketball and tennis all on-site. The sandy lakefront beach looked like a glorious place to while away the hours reading a book while the children play. Plus, for an additional fee, kids aged 5-11 can play at the Cheyenne Kidz Camp. And the food at their three on-site restaurants? Delicious! Read reviews of Cheyenne Mountain Resort on TripAdvisor now.

7. Go White Water Rafting

After a few days of enjoying Colorado Springs with kids, drive about an hour to Cañon (pronounced “canyon”) City. Challenge your family to venture outside comfort zones with a white water rafting excursion. Rafting down the Arkansas River is the main draw here mid-April through mid-September.

Whitewater rafting guidebook author and veteran raft guide, Leland Davis, named Colorado’s Arkansas River among the 10 best rafting spots in the U.S. in this Huffington Post article. He said, “The Arkansas River is the ultimate rafting destination in the Rockies, flowing through a wide glacial valley surrounded by 14,000-plus-foot peaks before plunging into the thousand-foot-deep slot canyon of Royal Gorge. Whether you’re looking for mild adventure or a total whitewater thrill ride, the Arkansas has what you’re looking for.”

Unfortunately, I was sick the day of our rafting adventure and therefore unable to participate. Still, my 12-year-old daughter braved the Arkansas with the rest of our group of parents and kids. It was a favorite activity amongst the children in our pack. My tween said it was, “awesome…until we dumped over!” Yes, it was scary. But she has also declared the experience, “the most exciting thing I’ve ever done!” All summer long, she regaled friends and family member with tales of her harrowing experience of rafting in Colorado. Watch her boat flip experience in the video below.

Thankfully, our group was in the able hands of Echo Canyon River Expeditions, which has been leading rafting adventures for many years. Choose from all sorts of rafting experiences from half-day to multi-day, and from mild to extreme. The youngest suggested age for rafters is 6 years.

8. Enjoy Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience

Right next door to Echo Canyon River Expeditions, you’ll find the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience. I was pleasantly surprised by how much adults and kids alike enjoyed this family-owned attraction. Some of the first dinosaur bones ever found were discovered in Cañon City. It makes sense, then, that this educational and fun place would be built here.

Start with a guided tour of the dinosaur skeleton fossil casts (included with the price of your admission). We learned much more this way than by simply wandering through the indoor space, reading informational signs. Did you know the most terrifying dinosaur was not Tyrannosaurus Rex? Nope, it was Allosaurus because its bottom jaw could come down 90 degrees to use as an axe. Plus, this dino had bigger arms than T-Rex and therefore could grab its prey. What’s more, Allosauruses hunted in packs like the much smaller Velociraptors. Terrifying!

Next up, wander along the path of animatronic dinosaurs outdoors on the Dinosaur Wildwalk. This exhibit features 16 moving dinosaurs. Some of these roar and track your movements.

Kids might be most excited by the outdoor ropes courses, though. Choose from the junior course for ages 2 to 9, and another course for bigger kids and adults. You’ll want to stop by the on-site gift shop, too, to peruse all sorts of dinosaur-related souvenirs.

9. “Rough It” at Royal Gorge Cabins and Glamping Tents

Across the street sits Royal Gorge Cabins, a convenient and pretty spot to spend the night in Cañon City. Choose a one- or two-bedroom cabin, or “rough it” in a glamping tent. I got a chance to tour the snazzy glamping tents, which feature electric lights, a cooler, and a deck with a grill, table and chairs.

My daughter and I bedded down in a gorgeous, modern two-bedroom cabin. It was home to two baths, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, a patio with table and chairs, equipped galley kitchen, and cozy living room. We argued about who should get the upstairs bedroom with the crazy beautiful views. In the end, I won.

Our cabin was situated just above the canyon, which caused the wind to whip furiously through my upstairs windows all night. I tried shutting them, but then I got too hot. So, in the middle of the night, I made my way to the cool, air-conditioned downstairs room to sleep next to my daughter. (That’s what I get for insisting I get the room with the view!)

I totally recommend these unique accommodations, but be sure to request a cabin other than Corner Pocket. I asked my fellow travelers and no one else experienced the whipping wind and banging windows, which was due to this cabin’s proximity to the canyon.

Bring in your own food to cook or grill meals, or head across the street for delicious food served all day at 8 Mile Bar & Grill. The same friendly couple owns and runs River Canyon River Expeditions, Royal Gorge Cabins, and 8 Mile Bar & Grill. Want to learn more about this unique resort? Read reviews of Royal Gorge Cabins on TripAdvisor.

Plan Your Cañon City and Colorado Springs Family Vacation

I recommend spending at least a week exploring Cañon City and Colorado Springs with kids in the Pikes Peak Region. My daughter and I covered all of this in four whirlwind days. Give yourself time to relax and really soak up all the beauty of Colorado.

Explore More of Colorado with Kids

Think Colorado ski resorts are for winter only? Think again! Discover all sorts of activities and attractions in Vail in summer and Keystone in summer. Kids especially love the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner.

If flying into Colorado, then you will likely land in the state capital. Take a look at 16 fun things to do in Denver with kids.

Save these Cañon City and Colorado Springs Tips

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Which of these adventures in Cañon City and Colorado Springs for families would you like most? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Colorado Tourism and Visit Colorado Springs hosted our mother-daughter vacation. Our accommodations, activities, and most meals were provided. I did not receive any other compensation related to this story. All opinions are mine, as always.

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