Windows down. Snacks packed. Trailhead loaded. Summer in Colorado means wildflowers, alpine lakes, and long days that practically beg you to stay out a little longer. And the best part? Some of the best adventures are just a short drive from Colorado Springs. Here are four worth adding to your summer lineup. Hike Cheesman Canyon | The sun is up on a bluebird, cloudless day—cue the shedding of layers and the panting of our sweet brindle boy, Archie. Good thing this 5.5-mile o

Mount Cutler, North Cheyenne Cañon Park - you’ll have to work a bit for this view. Starting at the Starsmore Nature Center makes this a 5-mile roundtrip hike, while starting at the Mount Cutler Trailhead will make it a 2-mile roundtrip. That lot fills up quickly and is much smaller though so go early if that’s your goal. You’ll get sporadic views of downtown Colorado Springs and also views of the sweeping North Cheyenne Cañon as you make your way up to the summit. Elevation

‘Tis spooky season - let’s explore St. Elmo Ghost Town, a late 19th-century mining town located in central Colorado (about 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista). St Elmo is considered a ghost town, and I’ll be referring to it as such, but technically it’s not entirely abandoned. There are a couple dozen full timers and even more summer residents in the area. Still, St. Elmo has all the gumption of a ghost town - forty well-preserved century-old cobwebby buildings lining a dirt m

Sandboarding beneath the shadow of the tallest sand dunes in the US? Camping under the Milky Way in a prehistoric lake bed? Witnessing sunrise and sunset over two of Colorado's most stunning mountain ranges (Sangre de Cristo & San Juans)? Check yes to visit Colorado's adult playground. We picked a mid-September weekend and drove 2.5 hours to another planet, Great Sand Dunes National Park. CAMP | There’s one campground inside the park, Pinon Flats , which fills up quickly duri

Twin Lakes is two hours from our home in Colorado Springs. It sits nestled in the Sawatch Range and serves as the gateway to Independence Pass. With the Collegiate Peaks and Buena Vista to the south and Leadville to the north, Twin Lakes is an ideal base for exploring central Colorado. We hit this popular recreation spot on a mild mid-July weekend. CAMP | There are plenty of super scenic camp spots around Twin Lakes, most of which operate on a first come, first served basis.