Growing up in Missouri, you are surrounded by rolling pastures, crops that stretch for miles, and wooded areas full of wildlife. Residents of the Show-Me State don't always get a view of rocky regions and I love mountains! So, going to states like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah often blow my mind with their polar opposite geography. It doesn’t even compare to where I’m from.
The Painted Mines Interpretative Park is unlike anything I have ever seen before and that comment is from the girl who has stood on the Cliffs of Moher and rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I had seen a few other travel bloggers visit there and knew it was a place to visit, so it was added to my “list.” While visiting my best friend in Colorado Springs this fall, I realized that Painted Mines was only a “short drive.” Of course, my mind went: “why not??”
I still wasn’t prepared for how “big and pretty” this place was going to be. The short walking trail from the parking lot to the Painted Mines was simply beautiful. The land is infinitely open and free. As you keep walking along the trail, you eventually run right into the strangest spot!
My bestie and I had worn simple sundresses for the day and wondered if we’d be too dressed up. We weren’t in hiking gear, no hiking shoes, etc. We were completely wrong. We saw some folks in what appeared to be Star Wars outfits taking pictures, we saw swimsuit models, wedding dress models, and other travel bloggers as well! I felt like I was among a bunch of famous people while walking around in the park! A very fun and cool vibe.
The walls of the canyon are splattered with pinks, purples and golds. It looks like someone came out and dumped paint buckets along the walls! The shapes and curves of the Painted Mines will leave you standing there turning in circles, your eyes just taking the view in and your mind is just overwhelmed with art. My travel gal and I would have spent more of our day there, but the sun was setting on us.
If you are planning a trip to Colorado Springs, you MUST stop at the Painted Mines! My suggestion for an itinerary is below---it’s what we did that day:
Garden of the Gods
Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum
Appetizers and Drinks at Manitou Brewing CO
Painted Mines
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