Paint Mines Interpretive Park

The adventure guide to Colorado's paint mines interpretive park, just outside of Colorado Springs. #coloradosprings #openspace #paintmines #interpretivepark

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is Colorado’s BEST KEPT SECRET. Logan and I had the perfect weekend in Colorado Springs, driving around and exploring the unique area. Just under an hour drive east if Colorado Springs will take you to Colorado’s most unique open space. The Paint Mines are given their name for their beautiful, bright colorful clays. The clay was once collected by American Indians to make paint in various colors.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Colorado

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is Colorado's BEST KEPT SECRET. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark

Where do the paint mine colors come from?

The bright rainbow colored bands at the paint mines get their colors from oxidized iron compounds. The park contains evidence of human life dating as far back as 9,000 years ago! The parks geological formations are called spires and hoodoos, formed through various erosive actions. Creating gullies and layers of colored clay you see along the hike.

Discover Colorado's hidden gem, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

Where are the Paint Mines located?


29950 Paint Mines Road
Calhan, CO 80808

The park features beautiful wildflowers, colorful formations and is good for all skill levels. Paint Mines Trail is a 3.4-mile interpretive loop trail, that will take you through rainbow-colored spires and hoodoos. The best time to use the trail is from March until October. We visited in January; and enjoyed our visit very much.

Discover Colorado's hidden gem, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark

How to get to the Painted Mines Park

Located in Calhan, Colorado the park is a little off the grid so to speak. You will want to plan for a day trip to visit the park. The Calhan Inn is the only hotel in the immediate area so I would recommend staying in Colorado Springs so you have more restaurant and activity selections to choose from. You will need your own vehicle to visit the park. There is no public transportation that will get you there. My recommendation is to pick up a rental car at Denver Airport for the weekend, so you can explore the area to the fullest.

Discover Colorado's hidden gem, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.
Discover Colorado's hidden gem, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark

Know Before You Go

  • There is a restroom located at the main entrance of the park which is open year-round.
  • The park is free to enter, and open dawn to dusk; a permit is available for those that want to take photographs at night.
  • Paint Mines Informational Brochure and Map (PDF)
  • Take nothing, and leave nothing behind.
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.
Discover Colorado's hidden gem, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Rainbow colored formations just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark

The Paint Mines make a gorgeous location for all types of photography. Photographers may use the park for non-commercial portrait and landscape photography. Please follow all park rules including:

  • Stay on designated trails at all times.
  • Climbing and/or scrambling on Paint Mine formations is prohibited.
  • Bikes, Pets, and horses are prohibited.
  • Entering the Paint Mine formations is prohibited.
  • All plants, wildlife, rocks, minerals, and historic artifacts within park boundaries are protected by law.
  • Do not remove, destroy, or disturb any of these features.
  • Practice the Leave No Trace Principles
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

Please stay on the trails at all times!

The people I captured in these next few pictures are breaking the above rules; by entering the paint mine formations and climbing/scrambling them.

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

INCORRECT

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

INCORRECT

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

CORRECT

You will still get beautiful pictures of the formations by following the leave no trace principles and park rules. Logan & I walked the trail through the formations, and then up to the top of the trailhead for a different perspective. There are so many ways you can get creative, and capture that perfect shot without damaging the formations.

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

CORRECT

There are trails like the one in the picture above and below that will take you throughout the rock formations. It can be very narrow at times, but with plenty of room to step to the side for fellow hikers. Witness a geological wonder within The Paint Mines Interpretive Park. When you visit, protect the park & please be considerate of the fragile formations. DO NOT stray from the trail.

Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

Activities In The Area

For more activities in the Colorado Springs area, check out the options below. With so much to do in the area, I recommend stretching out your weekend with more days if you can. It will be worth it!

Colorado's best best kept secret is also an open space park. Waiting to be explored, this hidden gem is a local secret. You'll find rainbow colored hoo doos and spires  just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden · Take in Some of Joshua Tree's Sights · Take a Hike  · Go Rock Climbing · Stretch Your Legs and Meditate.

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Colorado's best best kept secret is also an open space park. Waiting to be explored, this hidden gem is a local secret. You'll find rainbow colored hoo doos and spires  just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
The adventure guide to Colorado's paint mines interpretive park, just outside of Colorado Springs. #coloradosprings #openspace #paintmines #interpretivepark
Colorado's best best kept secret is also an open space park. Waiting to be explored, this hidden gem is a local secret. You'll find rainbow colored hoo doos and spires  just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
The adventure guide to Colorado's paint mines interpretive park, just outside of Colorado Springs. #coloradosprings #openspace #paintmines #interpretivepark
Colorado's best best kept secret is also an open space park. Waiting to be explored, this hidden gem is a local secret. You'll find rainbow colored hoo doos and spires  just outside of Colorado Springs. #rainbow #paintmines #coloradoparks #hiddengem #paintminespark
The adventure guide to Colorado's paint mines interpretive park, just outside of Colorado Springs. #coloradosprings #openspace #paintmines #interpretivepark
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
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45 comments

    1. Did you know about them when you lived there? They aren’t very well-publicized from what I’ve seen. I pinned a picture of them on my bucket list board 8+ years ago so I was glad I actually made it there.

  1. This place looks SO COOL and your photos are beautiful! I’ve never heard of the Paint Mines before – will definitely keep it in mind when I make my way out to Colorado. thanks for sharing this amazing article.

  2. This is the most incredible place. I was searching for things to do in the Colorado Springs area for the spring of 2021. Came across this post. Wow is this place beautiful. I kept saying to my husband that this place looks like a different planet. So glad we made it a point to visit.

    1. That makes me so happy to hear that!! I’m glad that you were able to visit! What did you think? Do you have any tips or suggestions for me to aadd based on your experience?

  3. Thanks for the post. I lived in Durango, Colorado for years and love to read about the geologic wonders of Colorado. I so appreciate you reminder that beautiful photos and experiences can happen when we “leave not trace.” So important.

    1. I’m glad I did Colorado proudly! Colorado is such a fun state to explore outside so it is reallyyyy important people practice nature etiquette to keep it pristine for years to come 💜

  4. i love that you highlighted the Do’s and Do Not’s- it’s such a pet peeve when people don’t follow instructions that are there for a very clear reason 😒

    1. I agree. ESPECIALLY when it comes to our natural resources. Do you speak up when you see something like that? I never know if I should or just mind my own business lol

  5. What a cool spot! I’ve never heard of the Paint Mines before. My husband occasionally works in Colorado Springs so I’ll look forward to checking these out during his next work trip!

  6. What a beautiful park! I’ve never heard of this, so I so appreciate you turning me onto this place that I must visit! And I really appreciate all the tips (like where the restrooms are located!)

  7. Now this is a very unique landscape! I hadn’t heard of it before, but I would definitely love to go and get some photos – shame about the people climbing where they shouldn’t be!

  8. Looks so nice! I’ve been to Denver, Aspen and Grand Junction, but would love to see this area of Colorado! 🙂

  9. Thanks for including correct and incorrect ways to enjoy the paint mines! I lived near the Springs and got to see these in person, they are definitely worth he day trip out to enjoy their natural beauty.

  10. I had no idea that this place existed! Thank you for spotlighting bad behaviour. It’s so important that people act accordingly to protect our nature!

  11. ::sigh:: Why can’t people follow directions? It looks like it’s just as stunning from the trails. Great photos!

  12. I’m absolutely blown away by those rock formations! What a truly unique and incredible place.

  13. This place looks SO COOL and your photos are beautiful! I’ve never heard of the Paint Mines before – will definitely keep it in mind when I make my way out to Colorado.

  14. Colorado is such a beautiful state. I spent a couple days in Colorado Springs last year and never knew about the Paint Mines! I’m definitely gonna have to go back to check these out–I love the colors!

  15. Oh wow! This place looks stunning! It’s also great you have the correct and incorrect way to snag photos. It is always good to keep that in mind. I wish I knew about this when I went to Colorado Springs!

  16. I cannot believe I didn’t know this exists – it looks beautiful! And it’s free! Thanks for writing this – adding it to the cross-country road trip itinerary (for when travel is safe again).

  17. I love that you call out bad behavior on these geological wonders! We really need more people pointing out etiquette on visiting such places – some things are bigger than the ‘gram. 🙄

  18. I have never heard of this place until now, but wow does it look incredible! When travelling is back to normal and safe, I definitely think that I need to plan a trip here! I can’t wait to explore it and take loads of photos!

  19. Okay, this is too cool. I visited Colorado Springs a lot of years ago for a writing retreat, but I had no idea this existed. We’ll have to catch it next time we’re in the area. Thanks for the info and the great pictures.

  20. Okay I had NO idea this existed! I’m traveling more of the US once we’re back to normalcy and adding it to the list <3

  21. What an incredible place! Ahhh I can think of so many photographs to take! I love that your images display the scale of the area so well! I do hope in the near future to explore the states a bit more 🙂

  22. I love places where natures gets this creative. Good to know. I am adding the mines to my Colorado travel list.

  23. I had never heard of the Paint Mines before reading this. Your photos are beautiful and definitely inspire me to visit someday. Thanks for introducing a new, natural sight to see.

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