Hiking the Colorado Paint Mines Responsibly

Since we are forced to be inside much of the week due to our full time jobs, we are usually seeking some outdoor time on the weekends. We don’t have much planned in the wintertime (unlike our jampacked camping & travel schedule in the summer), so we get to be a bit more spontaneous and explore some local outdoor sites in Colorado. The weather was beautiful today, so we took the opportunity to venture to a little gem down near Colorado Springs, which was recommended to us by Emerson’s Kindergarten teacher (we love her and her encouragement to raise outdoor kids!!). While this intro is starting out rosy and positive, I should mention now that I was agitated and on edge for much of this hike, due to fellow hikers ignoring the signs and disrespecting this fragile land. So, while I want to share about the details Paint Mines Interpretive Park hike, I also want to take the opportunity to share some tips on being a responsible and respectful hiker—particularly in this historic area.

Collage of pictures with text that reads how to hike paint mines in colorado responsibly

PAINT MINES INTERPRETIVE PARK – GREEN TRAIL HIKE

Miles: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 495 feet

Type: Figure 8 Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Dog-friendly: No

Bathrooms at trailhead: Yes

Cost: Free

map of Paint Mines Interpretive Park Green Trail Hike

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is named for the colorful clays that were collected by Indigenous American people to make paint, stone tools, pottery, and bricks. The paint mines have evidence of human life as far back as 9,000 years ago! This area is a geological and cultural wonder and should be treated as such. I felt as though I was walking through an outdoor museum. There are unique rock formations such as badlands, breaks, gullies, and hoodoos (funky clay spires). They were formed by weathered and eroded granite from Pikes Peak, which can be seen from the distance.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Pink rock of the Paint Mines

While the paint mines are the main attraction of this hike, they are only a very small portion of the 4 miles. The hike starts out in the open plains and winds around what feels like a sandy creek bottom until you reach the first rock feature, about 1 mile from the trailhead. These initial rock formations are bright white and looked beautiful against the deep blue Colorado Sky. This is where my stress level started to rise as many kids and adults were venturing into the rock formations and even climbing on top of the rocks. From the very beginning of the hike, there are signs warning of the fragility of the sandstone and clear instructions NOT to climb or hike on the rocks and to stay on the trails. I’ll be honest, I was a little passive aggressive at times and talking loudly to my kids about how “we are not allowed to climb on the rocks as we want this land to be preserved so others can enjoy it for years to come.” I hope my message was getting across to those around us.

Sign reads Please Help Protect Paint Mines
Boy hiking in Paint Mines trail
Girl running in front of white sandstone in Paint Mines Colorado
Boy in front of white rock at Paint Mines
Girl running in front of white rocks at Paint Mines
Eating snack at Paint Mines

After having a snack with the white rocks behind us, we continued on to rejoin the Green Trail and headed towards the main attraction of the brightly colored paint mines. While the walls were beautiful, it was difficult to relax and enjoy the scenery with so many people breaking the rules and disrespecting the area. The signs were clear, yet many people continued to climb on the rocks in order to get their Instagram worthy photo. Because of this, we didn’t spend as much time in this area as I would have liked. I just had to get away from it or I was worried my anxiety would get the best of me and I would end up lashing out on a stranger. Despite my recount of the day, it really is a beautiful place!

Kids walking into the Paint Mines
Caution sign says no climbing
One lone tree at Paint Mines
Son on mom's back in front of Paint Mines
Boy sitting at Paint Mines hikes

We headed up a steep portion of the Green Trail away from the paint mines and towards the windmills to the east. I felt like I could finally exhale away from all of the people and enjoy the sunny day. We encountered very few people on this portion of the hike as it seems that most people either park close to the mines and don’t do the hike itself, or make it a shorter out and back as opposed to doing the full loop. I was glad we did the full loop, since it was such a nice day and we wanted to make the most of our excursion, given the 1.5 hour drive from South Denver.

Wind turbines seen on Paint Mines Hike

Once you get to the top of the plateau that overlooks the wind turbines (at around mile 2), take a left. The trail then descends in a winding manner, which was a nice break since I had Walker in my Kinderpack for much of the uphill sections. The kids (and Bryce) had fun running on the trail and pretending to have aerodynamic windmill arms that lift them up like an airplane. This section continues on for 1.2 miles until you cross the original trail to complete the “figure 8.” At this point, you are on the final stretch towards the trailhead.

running near windmills at Paint Mines
Daughter on dad's shoulders at Paint Mines hike
View of white sandstone at Paint Mines

PAINT MINES INTERPRETIVE PARK OVERVIEW

Pros

  • Unique rock formations
  • Views of Pikes Peak from a distance
  • Nice alternative to the mountain ranges and allows for off season outdoor opportunity
  • Learning opportunities about the history, culture, and geology of the land

cons

  • Heavily trafficked
  • Much of the hike is in wide open plains without much variety
  • Limited shade
  • Possible exposure to wind gusts
  • You may experience people disrespecting the area, which can cause your blood to boil!

WORTH IT?

Yes. I was glad to see it, as Paint Mines Interpretive Park was on my local Colorado bucket list. It was a beautiful day and it was nice exercise (once I was able to chill out after being frustrated with fellow hikers).

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

No. After experiencing this hike, I think that this area should restrict access and should not as have as many visitors. Given this, I’m hesitant to even share our experience here, but I am hoping that after reading this post you’ll go with the intention of giving the rock formations space and admiring the beauty from the trail.  

RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED IF YOU ARE VISITING PAINT MINES INTERPRETIVE PARK

rules at Paint Mines
  • Stay on designated trails at all times
  • Absolutely no climbing or scrambling on Paint Mine formations
  • No exploring into the Paint Mine caves
  • No dogs, horses, or bicycles are allowed in the park
  • All plants, rocks, minerals, and artifacts must remain in the park
  • Obey all signs throughout the park
  • Wear a mask
  • Socially distance
  • Leave No Trace

Driving Directions to Paint Mines Interpretive Park from Colorado Springs. Take Highway 24 east for 31 miles. Turn right on Yoder St/N Calhan Hwy for 0.7 miles. Turn left on Paint Mines Road, which is a dirt road but well maintained. After 1.4 miles, the main parking lot will be on your left and has a large Paint Mine sign at the entrance. The park has a few different access points. We chose to park at the main trailhead as we wanted to hike to the rock formations, but if you are not interested in the full hike, you can actually park right above or right beyond the rock formations themselves. In this case, continue on past the main parking lot. I will also mention that the main parking lot is currently undergoing construction (in January 2021), but parking was available along the road.

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If you visit Paint Mines Interpretive Park, let me know in the comments below! I hope you have a better experience with people following the rules and treating this area with the respect it deserves. If you want a set of trail rules to teach your kids before you hit this (or any) trail, see The First 5 Things to Teach Your Kids About Hiking. Remember, it’s our very important job to raise the next generation of responsible, respectful, educated hikers!

Looking for more Colorado hikes? Check out this page for the latest Colorado posts!

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raisinghikers_Kristin

45 Comments
  1. Hattie Rensberry

    Thank you for sharing the concerns you have about people respecting such a fragile feature! I’m getting my engagement photos taken at the Paint Mines next month, and I was looking for a clear article with similar concerns to mine as to how best preserve and protect this area as a newbie. This helped a lot!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      I’m so glad you found it helpful! It will be such a perfect place to take engagement photos. There are plenty of places that you can get deep into the rocks without climbing on top of them. The pictures will be beautiful!

      Reply
  2. Cindy Moore

    I’ve been to the Colorado Springs area and Denver too and I’ve not heard of this place. It looks so interesting. Too bad people don’t seem to respect nature there though.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Yes, it really is a unique spot, but not very well known. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Maya

    Wow! such beautiful pictures.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sandi Barrett

    Colorado Springs is a beautiful area in Colorado. I haven’t been to the paint mines, but I’m sure the scenery is spectacular.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      It really was! And the drive there was beautiful from Denver as you are looking at Pike’s Peak for much of the drive.

      Reply
  5. Ashley Pacheco

    Ugh, I know the feeling! Let’s keep it nice for everyone! Pretty hike, though.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Yes!! I wish everyone thought that way! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth

    I’ve been here! It really is worth the visit and it’s so pretty and unique! My kids loved exploring and it was a great little walk.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Oh cool! Yes, it’s a perfect loop for little legs!

      Reply
  7. Jill DeMasi

    Your pictures are amazing! I would love to visit and explore those rock formations.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Cecile

    Look like a cool place the boys would like. We live in Canada and we are quite far away. I love your pictures and loved your true thoughts.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      We love hiking in Canada!!! Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Thanks, me too! But all we can do is educate. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Suzan

    What a beautiful area for a hike!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      It was! And a beautiful day, which helps. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  10. Cindy

    This looks like a great hike. It’s too bad people are so disrespectful of such significant areas.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      It is a shame but hopefully education helps!

      Reply
  11. Marianne

    Looks like a great place to visit… even just once. Not sure why people have such a hard time following rules! That would make my blood boil too!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      I know! It’s not that hard!! If my kids can do it, so can the adults. Haha.

      Reply
  12. Tiffany

    I too get angry when people don’t respect the signs in the park. Nature can be fragile and deserves our protection

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Absolutely! Thanks for doing your part!

      Reply
  13. Chelsea

    We are Scouts in this house, so we’re all about Leave No Trace. Such a disappointment when others disrespect Mother Nature. But your photos with the kids are breathtaking! Such cool colors!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      That’s awesome. I would love if my kids got involved in the Scouts! Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  14. lisa manderino

    I haven’t heard of this area before but it looks very similar to an area we went in Utah.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      It’s a small concentrated area of these colored formations outside of Colorado Springs. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Barbara

    Such lovely, beautiful formations! Great hiking choices!

    Reply
  16. Keirsten

    The photos look so beautiful and the kids looked like they really enjoyed it. Thank you for expressing & sharing the proper behaviour & etiquette to sites like these!

    Reply
  17. Tiffany

    Very interesting! Loved seeing your adventures – might leave this one one for others to help keep it preserved! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      I didn’t mean to scare anyone off, haha. There is definitely a way to enjoy them without climbing. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  18. Debbie

    The salt mines are such an incredible place that should be preserved. I would have been irritated at people being disrespectful too.

    Reply
  19. Alexis Farmer

    It’s unfortunate that they let too many visitors in at once. But these rock formations are awesome!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      They really are beautiful! Yeah, it’s a shame that they have to restrict it to keep them from being damaged but I think that is the best option. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  20. Sabrina DeWalt

    I feel your pain. It is so frustrating to see people who don’t think the rules apply to them. We have been on trails that have signs posted that dogs are not allowed and been overrun with dogs on super long leads. When we were at the petroglyphs in Petrified Forest, there were people actually climbing down the rocks (signs clearly stated to stay on the path) and touching the precious petroglyphs. I have been known to throw out a comment here and there as well. I think some of it right now is due to the shutdowns. There are more people out in nature because they can’t do what they normally do.

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Yes, I think you are right. I am all for people getting out in nature! Just follow the signs as they are there for a reason. And set a good example for the little eyes watching you (who had a hard time understanding why they weren’t allowed to climb when adults were!). 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  21. Holly

    Beautiful hike, and I agree with you about staying on the trail.. these formations are beautiful and should be preserved especially since they are so fragile!

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Thanks for reading!

      Reply
      • Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com

        Yes, here in the US Southwest, the land is so much more fragile than one would think. The soil and microbiome is easily destroyed by even a footstep!
        Thank you for spreading this awareness – a very important part of “Leave No Trace.”

        Reply
        • raisinghikers_Kristin

          Yes, absolutely! I could just see it crumbling and it was breaking my heart. Thank you for reading!

          Reply
  22. Sydney Delong-Eat Simply Sweet

    Looks like a nice trail, and thank you for sharing your true thoughts on it! I will observe through these photos lol

    Reply
    • raisinghikers_Kristin

      Haha! I don’t mean to scare people away. It really is beautiful. Maybe one day you can see it for yourself. 🙂

      Reply

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