Below are lists of resources on locations that can be useful for photographers and digital creators.
If you know of other resources to add to these lists, please send them to news@pdis.club.
Places to See Around Colorado Springs
11 Mile Canyon (Lake George)
Air Force Academy Visitors Center and Chapel (when it reopens)
Antlers Park, Near tracks and train yard in downtown. Views of Pikes Peak.
Barr Trail, Manitou Springs to Pikes Peak Summit
Bear Creek Park (trails, visitor center)
Broadmoor, suggestion: plan for a light lunch/drinks on the west side to get access
Carnivorous Plants with Jeremiah Harris by appt only
Cliff Dwellings in Manitou Springs, recreations and gift shop
Cog Railroad to Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs. The best views are from the left side of train when going up.
Colorado Springs Downtown (buildings, parks, architecture, urban murals, statuary)
Fox Run Park in Black Forest
Fountain Creek Regional Park and Nature Center
Gabriel Foundation – Parrot rescue, Elizebeth, CO
Garden of the Gods, Balanced rock, Visitor center, Market & Cafe
Glenn Eyrie Castle and Conference Center Photography notes
Green Mtn Falls Lake/Gazebo
Helen Hunt Falls, Visitor center
Hiking and Biking Trails near Colorado Springs – top 25
Manitou Springs, main street
May Natural History Museum Bug & Insect Museum
Miramont Castle self guided tours
Mount St Francis Center/Retreat as historical place.
The National Museum of WWII Aviation
North Cheyenne Canyon park : access to Helen Hunt Falls & trails; Starr Kempf’s Metal Sculptures; Starsmore Discovery Center
North Pole, Kids Christmas adventures
Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
Paint Mines Interpretive Park by Calhan
Pikes Peak Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Pikes Peak Road from US-24 to Summit
Pikes Peak Visitor Center (top of Pikes Peak)
Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway
Rainbow Falls, Manitou Springs off HWY 24
Red Rock Canyon, off US-24 west of 30th Street. Trails for all skill levels.
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site located by Garden of the Gods park (photo policy)
Seven Falls See website for shuttle information
Space Foundation Discovery Center
Starr Kempf’s Metal Sculptures Near Starsmore house and Ent Center on N. Nevada
Starsmore Visitors and Nature center
Ute Valley Park trails
Western Museum of Mining & Industry
Will Rogers Shrine via Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Seasonal Events
- 4th of July Celebration – Memorial Park (July)
- Air Shows
- Blossoms of Light, Denver Botanical Gardens (Dec)
- Bronc Days (Aug)
- Cripple Creek Ice Festival (Feb)
- Festival of Lights, C/S Winter parade (Dec)
- Garden Tour and Water Feature tours in spring
- GMF Winter Fest (Dec)
- Hudson Gardens lights (Dec)
- Renaissance Festival
- Rodeo
- Territory Days (May)
Area Lakes, Ponds, Streams
- Bear Creek Park
- Catamount Reservoir (2)
- Crystal Creek reservoir
- Fairish Memorial Park
- Fountain Creek Nature Center (Cattail Marsh Road of I-25 exit 132)
- Fox Run
- Memorial Lake
- Monument Park
- Quail Lake
- Rampart Reservoir
Denver
Denver Aquarium (and Restaurant)
George Town Loop narrow gauge train, at George Town & Silver Plume
Hudson Gardens , Littleton
Denver Museum of Nature & Science (& Imax)
Red Rocks, Morrison
Mount Evens, Narrow road after the visitors center.
St Mary’s Glacier (I-70 West from Denver)
Scottish Festival, Denver Polo Club
Tagawa Gardens/Nursery, Parker
Tiny Town, Morrison
Train Museum
War Memorial Rose Garden, Littleton
Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO
Surrounding Areas and Beyond
Woodland Park / Divide
Wolf and Wildlife Center, Divide
Castle Rock
Cañon City / Pueblo
The Abby Winery, Cañon City
Bishop Castle (1.5 hr via Florence or Pueblo from C/S)
Royal Gorge, Cañon City
Estes Park
Scottish festival, Estes Park (September)
Green Mountain Falls
Leadville
Leadville train ride https://www.leadville-train.com/
Mesa
Other Colorado Web Sites
The Best Photography Spots In Colorado Springs In 2026
Complete Guide to Train Rides in Colorado
Beyond the day trips
Arizona
Grand Canyon
Nebraska
Kearney, Sandhill crane migration
Wyoming
Yellowstone
Grand Tetons
Washington
Seattle
Tacoma Chihuly glass
Victoria, Vancouver, Canada
Butchart Gardens