Paint Mines Interpretive Park: The Best-Kept Secret of Colorado Springs

Hey there, friends! Let’s talk about a little slice of Colorado magic that often flies under the radar: the Paint Mines! Just outside of Colorado Springs, you will be remiss if you leave this geological wonder off your Colorado Itinerary!

What are the Paint Mines?

The Paint Mines are vibrant clay formations located in the Paint Miles Interpretive Park. These rock formations are so colorful they look like they could have been hand-painted! In fact, the clay was actually gathered by Native Americans to make paint for artwork and pottery. 

If you want to get into the nerdy science, these geological formations include gulches, spires and hoodoos. The exposed layers are made of selenite clay and jasper and range in color from white to gold to red and pink.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park spans 750 acres with nearly 4 miles of hiking trails. Depending on the time of year, you may even see wildflowers and wildlife.

Where are the Paint Mines Located?

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located in the small town of Calhan, Colorado, a mere 40 minute drive from Colorado Springs and 1.5 hours from Denver. 

As you get closer, you may think you are in the wrong place since you can only see flat grasslands for miles, but keep going and you will discover this beautiful geological wonder!

Everything You Need to Know for Visiting the Paint Mines

There are so many people who visit Colorado and have never even heard of the Paint Mines! We hope to spread the word so more people can visit this place that really embodies “Colorful Colorado”.

To make this stop on your Colorado itinerary as easy as possible, we have gathered all the information you need to know for your visit to the Paint Mines! 

Where to Park

There are two parking areas I recommend with easy access. The first is at the Paint Mines Trailhead (29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808). The second is just south and east, at the Paint Mine Upper Parking Lot (32160 Paint Mine Rd E, Calhan, CO 80808).

The trailhead would be a great place to park if you would like a longer hike overall.

The upper parking lot has a beautiful overlook and is a shorter walk to the clay formations. This is where we parked, and it was a great place to start our family hike.

Bathroom Access

There is one port-a-potty at each parking area.

Hours of Operation and Admission

The park is open from dusk to dawn year-round (even on holidays). Admission is free of charge! No pets are allowed in the park.

The Best Time of Day to Visit the Paint Mines

While the Paint Mines can be enjoyed any time of day, direct sunlight can wash out the colors a bit, making them less vibrant. If possible, visit early in the day or a couple hours before sunset. 

Hiking the Paint Mines

The entire loop is a 3.4 mile route, although you can definitely see many of the beautiful formations without doing the whole route. I would plan to hike at least 1.5 miles, but the more the better! 

There are many smaller trails off the main trail that lead you right up close to the rock formations. These were the most fun parts for us to explore!

To preserve this beautiful park, it is suggested to stay on the trails and don’t climb the large formations as it can damage them. 

Some of the trails are uneven and have loose sand and gravel, so wearing hiking boots or other sturdy shoes would be ideal. In addition, keep in mind that there is little shade and you will want to bring along water bottles and sunscreen. 

How Long Does it Take to Hike the Paint Mines?

Plan around 2 hours to be able to fully take in the beauty of the Paint Mines. Even if you aren’t hiking the full loop, you will want plenty of time to explore and admire the formations!

Visiting the Paint Mines with Kids

While the trail is not too difficult (officially rated easy-moderate), it is not paved and therefore not conducive to taking a stroller. A baby carrier would be a good alternative for little ones. 

We had our kids use the port-a-potties in the parking area before the hike, which we highly recommend, as there are no restrooms beyond that point.

Ultimately, this is a great place to hike with kids in Colorado! This hike kept our kids interested much longer than any other hike we did in the Colorado Springs area.

Is Paint Mines Interpretive Park Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Our family was pleasantly surprised with how much we all loved the Paint Mines! Our kids range in ages from 6-12 and every one of them enjoyed hiking this area.

With all the interesting formations and places to hike, our time went by quickly and we didn’t have any whining to leave. (And all the parents said “Amen”!)

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park ended up being in my top 2 favorite things we did on our Colorado trip, and I know we will include it in our Colorado Springs itinerary for our next trip as well! If you visit the Paint Mines, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Happy hiking!

Share: