Fall in Colorado Springs Is My Favorite Time of Year
I’ve lived in Colorado Springs for over twenty years now, and I’ve seen a lot of seasons come and go. But if you asked me to pick one — the one time of year where this place really shows off — it’s fall. No contest.
The heat backs off, the sky gets that deep Colorado blue that photographers go crazy for, and the aspens start turning. When those golden yellows start popping against the dark green pines and the red rock formations, it’s something you have to see in person. Pictures don’t do it justice. I’ve tried.
What makes fall foliage here different from back east is the contrast. Gold aspens against dark evergreens, red dirt, granite peaks, and blue sky — it’s not a blanket of color like Vermont, it’s pockets of gold scattered across the mountainsides. I spend a lot of time on the west side of town and in the mountains, so I’ve gotten pretty dialed in on where to go and when.
When Do the Colors Peak?
Here’s what most people get wrong — there’s no single “peak week.” The timing depends on elevation, and we’ve got a lot of it. The city sits at 6,000 feet, but the mountains to our west go past 10,000. That spread means you get a rolling show that lasts about a month if you know where to look.
Here’s the general timeline:
- Late September (9,000+ feet): This is when the high-country aspens go first. Places like Mueller State Park, Rampart Range Road, and the Highway 67 corridor between Divide and Cripple Creek start lighting up. I’m talking walls of gold on both sides of the road. Late September up high is prime time — don’t miss it.
- Early October (7,000–9,000 feet): The color works its way down. Ute Pass, Woodland Park, and the canyons on the west side of town start popping. Gold Camp Road and North Cheyenne Canyon get their turn.
- Mid-October (6,000–7,000 feet): The color finally reaches town. Neighborhoods on the west side, the Broadmoor area, and parks with mature deciduous trees show reds and oranges. It’s more subtle than the mountain aspens, but it’s still beautiful.
Keep in mind — the timing shifts by a week or two depending on the year. A dry summer can push things earlier. An early frost can cut the show short. A wet summer with a gradual cool-down? That’s the magic formula for a long, vibrant season. The Colorado Parks & Wildlife website usually posts fall color updates starting in mid-September, so check there for current conditions.
Best Drives for Fall Color
If you want to see the best fall foliage near Colorado Springs without lacing up hiking boots, you’re in luck. Some of the best color is right along the road. These are my go-to drives, ranked by how reliably they deliver.
Highway 67 — Divide to Cripple Creek (My #1 Pick)
This is it. This is the one. If you only do one fall drive, make it this one.
Take Highway 24 west through Woodland Park to Divide, then south on Highway 67 toward Cripple Creek. That stretch of 67 is about 25 miles, and in late September it’s absolutely unreal. I drive this road regularly, and even I catch my breath when the aspens are peaking. Entire mountainsides turn solid gold, and the road winds right through it.
The aspens sit mostly between 9,000 and 10,000 feet, so they’re some of the first to turn. Late September is the sweet spot. Drive down to Cripple Creek, grab lunch on Bennett Avenue, and drive back — the light hits differently on the return trip, so you get two shows for the price of one.
I’ve written about Cripple Creek as a day trip before — it’s great any time of year, but in fall it’s on another level.
Rampart Range Road
I camp up here regularly, and the aspens turn before the ones in town because you’re at 8,000 to 9,000 feet. The road is rough in spots — a truck or SUV with decent clearance helps — but you’ll pass through aspen groves that are stunning in late September. There are pulloffs where you can stop, set up a camp chair, and just sit in the color.
Note: Rampart Range Road is seasonal and typically closes for winter in November. Check conditions before heading up.
Gold Camp Road
Gold Camp Road starts near the Broadmoor and heads into the mountains toward Victor. The lower section is paved and easy; the upper section gets rougher with some tunnel closures. In early October, the aspens and scrub oak put on a great show at 7,000 to 8,000 feet. Best part — you can be on this road fifteen minutes from downtown. It’s a quick color fix on a weekday afternoon.
Ute Pass — Highway 24 West
Most locals drive Ute Pass all the time without thinking about it, but in early October, slow down. The canyon walls have patches of aspen and scrub oak that turn gold and orange — not the most dramatic drive on this list, but the most convenient. You’re probably driving it anyway on your way to the other spots.
Phantom Canyon Road
Phantom Canyon Road runs from Victor down to Florence along an old railroad grade through a narrow canyon. In fall, cottonwoods and aspens along the creek bottom light up gold against dark canyon walls. It’s a dirt road and takes a couple hours, but combine it with Highway 67 for a full-day loop — drive up 67 to Cripple Creek, continue to Victor, take Phantom Canyon to Florence, and loop back on 115. Most tourists have no idea this route exists.
Best Hikes for Fall Color
Driving through the color is great, but walking through it? That’s where it really hits you. The sound of aspen leaves rustling, the smell of the forest in early fall, the crunch underfoot — it’s an experience. Here are the hikes I’d pick.
Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park near Divide is probably my favorite spot for fall hiking. The park sits at around 9,500 feet and has over 50 miles of trails through meadows, forests, and aspen groves. In late September, this place is electric with color.
The Elk Meadow Trail and the Outlook Ridge Trail are both great for aspens. You’ll get expansive views of gold-covered hillsides with Pikes Peak in the background. It doesn’t get much more Colorado than that. The park requires a Colorado Parks & Wildlife day pass, which is well worth the ten bucks.
Mueller is about an hour from Colorado Springs, and it’s right off Highway 67 — so you can combine it with the Cripple Creek drive for a full fall day. That’s exactly what I do.
North Cheyenne Canyon
North Cheyenne Canyon is right in town on the southwest side — one of those spots where you forget you’re in a city. In early to mid-October, cottonwoods, scrub oak, and aspens turn the whole canyon gold and rust. The Columbine Trail and the Seven Bridges Trail are both great picks — Seven Bridges has you crossing footbridges over the creek surrounded by fall color. Popular for good reason.
Waldo Canyon Area
The original trail burned in 2012, but the surrounding area has recovered and the trail network still has aspens that turn gold in early October. Check VisitCOS for current trail status. The broader west-side trail network — Section 16, Red Rock Canyon, the Intemann Trail — all have scattered fall color where scrub oak turns orange and red. More subtle than the aspen shows up high, but you can hit it on a lunch break.
Catamount Trail (Green Mountain Falls / Chipita Park)
If you head up Ute Pass to the little towns of Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park, you’ll find trails with nice aspen groves at around 7,800 feet. These are quieter spots that most tourists never find. The aspens here turn in early October, and you’ll likely have the trail mostly to yourself on a weekday.
Fall Events Worth Catching
Fall in Colorado Springs isn’t just about the leaves. There’s a whole lineup of events that make this the best season to be here.
Apple Day Festival — Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City hosts Apple Day every October, and it’s one of those community events that just feels good. Local vendors, apple cider, pie, crafts, live music — the whole stretch of West Colorado Avenue turns into a fall festival. It’s free, it’s family-friendly, and it’s a great excuse to walk the OCC shops and galleries afterward.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races — Manitou Springs
Peak Manitou Springs weirdness, in the best possible way. Every October, teams build coffins on wheels, dress up in costumes, and race them down Manitou Avenue. It’s based on a real local legend, and Manitou turned it into one of the most unique fall events in Colorado. Thousands show up. It’s a blast.
Oktoberfest Events
Several breweries and venues around town host Oktoberfest celebrations through September and October. The ones at Shining Mountain Golf Club and various downtown spots are usually solid. Check local event listings as September approaches — new ones pop up every year.
Harvest Festivals
Smaller harvest festivals pop up throughout September and October — pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and harvest markets in Woodland Park, Manitou, and ranches south of town. Great for kids and grandkids.
Tips for Fall Color Chasing
After twenty-plus years of doing this, here’s what I’ve learned:
Go midweek if you can. Weekends on Highway 67 in late September get busy enough that pulling over for photos is tricky. Tuesday through Thursday, you’ll have the road mostly to yourself.
Morning light is best. Golden hour makes golden aspens look like they’re actually glowing. East-facing slopes lit by early sun are something else entirely.
Bring layers. At 9,500 feet in late September, mornings can be in the 30s even when it’s 65 in town. Fleece, light jacket, sunglasses — the combination of bright aspens and Colorado sun is intense.
Check conditions before you go. A big early storm can strip leaves overnight. Follow Colorado Parks & Wildlife and local hiking groups on social media for real-time color reports. My scenic drives guide has road condition tips too.
Don’t wait for “peak.” Any day during the three to four week window is beautiful. Some trees green, some gold, some past peak — the variety is part of what makes it interesting.
Combine drives with hikes and food. My perfect fall day: Highway 67 in the morning, a trail at Mueller State Park, lunch in Cripple Creek, and driving back through afternoon light. Costs almost nothing beyond gas and a park pass.
Fall Is Why I Live Here
I chose Colorado Springs over every city I’ve lived in, and fall is a big part of why. If you’re visiting in fall, you picked the right time. If you live here and haven’t explored these spots, clear a Saturday and go. And if you’re thinking about moving here — just wait until you see your first September on Highway 67. That usually seals the deal.
About the Author: Dominic Ferrara has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. After working for Delta Airlines and visiting just about every major city in the United States, he chose Colorado Springs for its scenery, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. He lives on the west side near Ute Valley Park, where he e-bikes, camps, and explores the mountains regularly. His recommendations come from two decades of eating, hiking, and living here — not from a weekend visit.
