Best Time to Visit Colorado Springs: Month by Month
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September is the best month for most people. Warm days, cool nights, and the summer storms have moved on. If you want fall color, aim for late September into early October. Summer works fine if you go early in the day and skip weekends at the busy spots. January and February are the cheapest months by a wide margin.
I’ve lived on the west side of Colorado Springs for more than twenty years, and fall is still my favorite season to be outside.
| If you want… | Come in… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best weather | September | Warm days, cool nights, low humidity, and the afternoon storms have tapered off. |
| Fewest crowds | Late April to May, or late September into October | Shoulder seasons. Attractions are open, the summer rush is gone. |
| Lowest prices | January and February | Coldest stretch of the year, so hotel rates drop the most. |
| Best hiking | June through September | Trails are clear and high country is open. Start early to beat afternoon storms. |
| Fall color | Late September | Aspens turn for roughly two weeks. Higher elevations go first. |
| Festivals and events | June through August | Peak season for outdoor concerts, rodeo, and downtown events. |
| Ski day trips | December through March | Resorts a couple hours west are running full tilt. |
| Wildflowers | May and June | Spring bloom before the real summer heat sets in. |
Quick note before the details: some links below go through Booking.com, GetYourGuide, and Amazon. If you book or buy through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Colorado Springs weather by month
| Month | Avg low to high | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18–42°F | Low | Cheapest hotel rates of the year. |
| February | 20–45°F | Low | Still the cheapest stretch. |
| March | 26–52°F | Low to moderate | Spring snow is still a real possibility. |
| April | 33–60°F | Moderate | Nice window, but pack for snow too. |
| May | 43–69°F | Moderate to high | USAFA graduation late in the month tightens rooms. |
| June | 51–79°F | High | School’s out and Garden of the Gods weekends get busy. |
| July | 57–85°F | Highest | Peak hotel rates, plus Fourth of July crowds. |
| August | 56–82°F | High | Hot afternoons, storms are routine. |
| September | 47–75°F | Moderate, dropping | The best all-around month. |
| October | 36–63°F | Low to moderate | Aspens peak early in the month, then fade. |
| November | 25–51°F | Low | Cold settles in for good. |
| December | 18–42°F | Low, except holiday week | Skiers start heading up to the resorts. |
These are long-term averages via Uncover Colorado, not a forecast for any single year. April alone averages close to 5 inches of snow, but it melts fast once the sun is back out.
Summer: hot afternoons, bigger crowds, go early
VisitCOS, the city’s tourism site, puts July’s average high around 83 degrees, with quick afternoon thunderstorms that build up almost daily. Pikes Peak, the Incline, and Garden of the Gods all get hot and crowded by midday, and the storms roll in fast once they start.
I don’t go to Garden of the Gods on a summer weekend when the weather is perfect. Too many people, and you end up crawling around the loop in traffic. Go in the evening or first thing in the morning, and go on a weekday if your schedule allows it.
The park has a paved e-bike path separate from the main road, and I ride it even on a busy day. You’re off to the side of the cars, so it stays enjoyable with fewer of them around.
About an hour southwest in Cañon City, the Royal Gorge Route train runs along the Arkansas River, often right next to rafters working the rapids below.
July and the first week of August carry the highest hotel rates of the year, and the Fourth of July pushes prices up even more around town. If you want late-summer crowds without quite hitting full peak, our August guide breaks down what that month actually looks like.
Fall: my favorite, and the month most people should pick
Early September still feels like summer in a lot of ways. I camped at Hecla Junction on the Arkansas River, between Buena Vista and Salida, over Labor Day weekend 2026. It ran about 85 degrees with a breeze, and the river had already dropped low and rocky, not really a rafting week anymore.
The National Weather Service office in Pueblo logged Colorado Springs’ September 2026 review at an average of 67.8 degrees, about five degrees above normal, with just over an inch of rain, slightly below normal. Warm and dry is the typical pattern for the month.
Mueller State Park, just below Pikes Peak, is my camping pick close to town, and fall is a good time for it. It’s an awesome park with great camping, but it’s always busy, so catch it during the week if your schedule lets you.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that Mueller stays active year round, including winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing once the snow piles up.
Leaf season usually runs mid-September into early October. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s fall leaf advisory suggests driving the mountain passes Tuesday through Thursday if you want the color without weekend traffic jams.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo runs its Boo at the Zoo event in October. I went a couple of years back on an evening visit, Halloween decorations up, and it’s a good one for families. Check cmzoo.org for current dates before you plan around it.
For the deeper breakdown on this stretch, see our September guide and our fall foliage guide.
Winter: cheapest trip of the year, if you dress for it
Winter is the cheapest time to visit, hands down, outside of the holiday week itself. The Cog Railway runs all winter, believe it or not, and cograilway.com confirms year-round operation, so a trip up Pikes Peak isn’t off the table just because there’s snow on the ground.
Walking the grounds at the Broadmoor doesn’t require a room there. There’s a big lake in the middle of the property, and back when it froze solid enough, people used to skate on it.
If you’re driving into the mountains, Colorado’s traction law kicks in on mountain corridors once storms hit, so check conditions before you go and carry the right tires or chains. Our ski resorts guide covers the day-trip options a couple hours west.
For icy trails around town, a pair of microspikes makes a real difference. Worth tossing in the car before any winter hike.
Spring: a gamble worth taking in late April
Snow is still very real in March and April. A warm 60-degree afternoon can turn into six inches on the ground by the next morning, so plan loosely. Late April into May is a nicer window once the biggest storms start to taper off, but pack for both kinds of days.
If you’re coming for the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation in late May, book your room well ahead. The ceremony fills hotels across the city and rates climb right along with demand.
Layers matter most in spring. A light hiking jacket you can shed by midday covers most spring afternoons here. Our April guide has the full month breakdown.
Where to stay and what to book
Pick the season first, then book the base. Shoulder season fills quieter hotels at better rates. Summer and graduation weekends need the extra lead time.
Search Colorado Springs hotels
Book near Garden of the Gods, west side
Book a Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs tour
Bottom line
There is no single wrong month to visit Colorado Springs, but September does the most things well: good weather, thinning crowds, and fall just getting started. If you want the aspens, aim for the back half of September into early October and drive midweek. If you are watching your budget, January and February are hard to beat.
More Springs guides
- Garden of the Gods Complete Guide
- Pikes Peak Complete Guide
- E-Biking Colorado Springs
- Buena Vista and Salida Day Trip
- Free Things to Do in Colorado Springs
Author: Dominic