Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Planning a visit to Cheyenne Mountain State Park? Below you will find park and trail details, the sporting events held here, and upcoming events. Visit Cheyenne Mountain State Park →

Venue Overview

Cheyenne Mountain State Park is a 2,701-acre Colorado Parks and Wildlife park at the eastern base of Cheyenne Mountain, just south of Colorado Springs. Its trail system climbs from prairie grassland into scrub oak and ponderosa pine, giving runners, hikers, mountain bikers and riders a true plains to peaks experience. The Limekiln Trailhead is the main hub for trail users and race starts. The park hosts trail races from short winter courses to 50K ultras, plus camping, archery and naturalist programs.

About Cheyenne Mountain State Park

• Managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
• 2,701 acres along the eastern flank of Cheyenne Mountain.
• 21 trails totaling more than 28 miles, rated easy to moderate with a few difficult routes.
• About 29 miles open to hiking, 25.5 miles to biking and 12 miles to horseback riding.
• Dixon Trail climbs toward the top of Cheyenne Mountain on a 17-plus mile round trip from Limekiln.
• Visitor center with interpretive displays and a gift shop.
• Campground with full-hookup sites, walk-in tent sites, camper cabins and a group site.
• Archery complex with a static target range and a 28-station field and 3D range.

History

The park was formerly the JL Ranch. It was acquired in June 2000 through a partnership of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado State Parks, Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Lottery, El Paso County and local private organizations, and it opened to the public in October 2006.

Trails and Running at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Runners can combine interconnected loops into courses of almost any length. Easy routes such as Zook Loop, Blackmer Loop, Coyote Run and Boulder Run roll through open grassland, while Talon, Sundance and Soaring Kestrel add moderate climbing into the trees. Dragon’s Backbone and the Dixon Trail are the park’s difficult options. Trail signs carry GPS coordinates to help staff locate people in an emergency.

Events Held Here

• Trail running: Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series Race II, with a short course of 3.86 miles and a long course of 8.10 miles using the Zook, Blackmer, Talon and Sundance trails.
• Trail running: Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race, with 50K, 25K, 7 mile and 4 mile distances, benefiting Achilles Pikes Peak.
• Trail running: Valkyrie Trail Race, a women-focused race in spring with distances from 4 miles to 50K.
• Archery: free beginner archery programs in summer.

Upcoming events at this venue are listed below.

Lessons, Coaching & Programs

Park naturalists lead interpretive programs and guided walks, with evening programs and nature hikes most common in spring and summer and offered periodically in fall and winter. Free beginner archery programs run in summer. The Terrain Hopper program provides motorized all-terrain chairs so visitors with mobility disabilities can explore designated trail loops.

Food, Drink & Amenities

• Restrooms, water, picnic tables and a playground at the Limekiln Trailhead.
• Horse trailer parking at the east end of the Limekiln lot.
• Camper services building with showers, laundry, vending machines and a playground, open spring through fall.
• No on-site restaurant; pack your own food and water.

Private Events & Groups

Groups can book the 16-pad group tent site, which has a covered picnic area, grills and a fire pit. Race and sporting event organizers should contact the park office early to coordinate courses, parking and any required permits.

Membership or Access

Every vehicle entering the park must display a valid Colorado State Parks pass, either a daily pass or an annual pass. Leashed dogs are allowed only on about 2 miles of designated trails (Acorn Alley, Bobcat Way, Raccoon Ridge and part of Soaring Kestrel) and are not permitted on other trails, in the backcountry or from the Limekiln Trailhead.

Contact & Links

Visit the official Cheyenne Mountain State Park page on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

Questions About Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Who manages Cheyenne Mountain State Park?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages the park, which covers 2,701 acres at the eastern base of Cheyenne Mountain south of Colorado Springs.

How many miles of trail does the park have?

The park has 21 trails totaling more than 28 miles, with routes open to hiking, mountain biking and, on designated trails, horseback riding.

Where do races at Cheyenne Mountain State Park start?

Most races gather at the Limekiln Trailhead, which has parking, restrooms and access to the main trail network.

What trail races are held at Cheyenne Mountain State Park?

The park hosts Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series Race II, the Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race with distances up to 50K, and the women-focused Valkyrie Trail Race.

Do I need a pass to enter the park?

Yes. Every vehicle must display a valid Colorado State Parks pass.

Are dogs allowed on the trails?

Leashed dogs are allowed only on about 2 miles of designated trails: Acorn Alley, Bobcat Way, Raccoon Ridge and part of Soaring Kestrel.

How do I list my event?

Listing is free on Colorado Under Par at coloradounderpar.com/submit-event/, and it takes less than five minutes.

Planning Your Event Here

• Group size: easy grassland loops spread out large fields, while the narrow Talon trails suit smaller waves.
• Gathering spot: the Limekiln Trailhead works for packet pickup, start and finish.
• Parking flow: every vehicle needs a state parks pass, so remind participants to carpool and arrive early.
• Course design: combine Zook, Blackmer, Talon and Sundance for longer routes.
• Winter conditions: expect snow, ice and mud on shaded trails, and set cutoffs so runners can switch to a shorter course.

Contact the venue for current pricing and availability.

Hosting an Event at Cheyenne Mountain State Park? List It on Colorado Under Par

Organizing a trail race, winter running series, group hike, mountain bike ride or archery clinic at Cheyenne Mountain State Park? List your event for free on Colorado Under Par. It takes less than five minutes at coloradounderpar.com/submit-event/.