Paint Mines

Calhan
Drivetime
1hr 45min
FROM DENVER
DIFFICULTY
Easy
200ft Gain
LENGTH
3 Miles
Out & Back
TAKE ME TO THE TRAILHEAD
NEW YORK WEATHER
WHAT YOU'LL SEE
Rock Formations
Rock Formations
THINGS TO DO

Experience the Other-Worldly Paint Mines!

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an alien-like wonderland in the middle of nowhere! About 40 miles Northeast of Colorado Springs, this is a perfect little escape if you want an easy adventure with some fantastic rock structures.

The park is free to visit. There are two parking lots, but they can fill up quickly on busy weekend days. There are restrooms at the parking lot. From the first lot you come across, you will walk up a hill a couple hundred feet until you see the gorgeous mines.

The rock structures here are colorful, towering, and other worldly. The area is named after Native Americans who used the sandstone and soil to make brilliant paint colors and pottery. You can capture some amazing photos here, so be sure to bring the camera! There are trails throughout the rocks, as well as some that give you an aerial view of the park. The trails in the formations can get quite muddy, so be aware. You can usually see most of the park in an hour or a little more.

The trail is flat and wide. This is a great place to bring kids. Please just preserve the structures for future generations and do not climb on the rocks. Stick to the trails. Leave no trace!

Overall if you're looking for something a bit different and alien, this is the perfect adventure for you!

THINGS TO DO

Bring the Whole Family!

With it's wide, flat trails and huge other-worldly rock formations, bring the whole family to this one. Just remember to preserve the rocks for future generations, and don;t let your little ones climb all over them and use them as a playground!

Photography

The rock formations make for a perfect backdrop for all sorts of photo-shoots! You'll often see professional portraits being taken here!

Yoga/Meditate

There are lots of flat spaces to spread out and enjoy the serene beauty of this place!

Leave No Trace Bigfoot Sign
It is of the upmost importance that you always remember to take care of our precious outdoor spaces, and preserve them for future generations. Be as invisible as bigfoot and practice Leave No Trace Principles. For more info on how to be an environmentally conscious adventurer, click HERE!
GETTING THERE

This one is sort of in the middle of nowhere! About 36 miles Northeast of Colorado Springs, the Paint Mines lie on a gravel road near Calhan, Colorado. The parking lot is a decent size, but can fill up quickly. If coming during a busy time, you may have to park on the road and add a bit of milage to the hike.

Mountain landscape

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