Visiting Southern Colorado and the Four Corners

Bring your ropes for a visit to Garden of the Gods. Northwest of Colorado Springs, climbers in the park are required to use safety equipment. Garden of the Gods’ winter hours are 5am to 9pm and with a variety of easy and moderate trails, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a temperate outdoor winter weather hike. The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center hosts 2012’s first annual event February 11th. Bighorn Sheep Day 2012 is free and geared for visitors of all ages. Enjoy presentations, spotting bighorns, walks and kids activities. Join this great family activity and get outside early in the year.

The US Air Force Academy is located north of Colorado Springs. A well known military institution, USAFA also provides Colorado Springs residents and visitors spectacular sports entertainment. Basketball and hockey are in full regular season play. Join crowds cheering on Falcon’s basketball at Clune Arena in Cadet Field House, or catch Falcons Ice Hockey at Cadet Ice Arena. If you’re a sports fan in Colorado Springs, the Air Force Academy is your place.

Travelers in the Colorado Springs area don’t miss the short trip to Manitou Springs. Located less than 10-miles west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24, Manitou Springs is a gateway to Pikes Peak and a diversity of attractions. Enjoy the spectacular scenery on a train ride up Pikes Peak on the Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The first three weekends in December are ideal for families with young kids. The 2011 Santa Claus Special takes visitors up the mountain accompanied by Santa and Mrs Claus. Make your holidays special with a family train ride on the Santa Claus Special.

Pueblo, 45-miles south of Colorado Springs, may surprise visitors as the home of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. The Arkansas River now runs through the heart of Pueblo along its historic path, maintaining its critical place in the life and history of Pueblo. Now the center of Pueblo’s downtown green space, the River and Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, are a community event and gathering place.

Durango, a showcase of southwestern Colorado, enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year. Winter is low season, a good reason to visit and enjoy Durango area attractions, sans crowds and summer heat. From the ghost towns of Parrot City and La Plata City, skiing in Telluride (also the town where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank) to landmarks like Chaco Canyon and Chimney Rock, Durango is a gateway to a diversity of adventure.

Arguably Durango’s most famous attraction, Mesa Verde National Park, is located less than 40 miles west of downtown Durango. Mesa Verde is a spectacular site of ancient cliff dwellings, miraculously well preserved and carefully managed for today’s visitors. Don’t miss a visit to Cliff Palace, the largest of Mesa Verde National Park's cliff dwellings.

Southern Colorado and the Four Corners Hotel Map