When you visit North Cheyenne Canyon Park, the first thing you notice is that the city noise of Colorado Springs fades, instantly replaced by towering 1,000-foot granite walls, the dense scent of pine, and the steady rush of freshwater. The canyon is our playground, offering guided hikes, e-bike tours, and Jeep excursions. But don’t miss the park’s two incredible hubs: Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center and the Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center.
Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center
Before you head deep into the canyon shadows, stop at the park’s lower entrance, the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center. It sits in a stunning, historic Craftsman-style stone mansion built in the late 19th century by James Starsmore. Every stone was sourced from Cheyenne Canyon. Step across the threshold, and you are instantly immersed in the region’s natural history.
Starsmore features interactive geology exhibits, fascinating wildlife dioramas, and a massive bird-watching window perfect for spotting native species. Most importantly, you can chat with passionate local rangers to pick up physical trail maps and get real-time trail conditions.
The Heart of the Canyon – Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center
If you are nervous about driving the Canyon, our Garden of the Gods Foothills Jeep Tour explicitly includes historic highlights of Cheyenne Canyon alongside the granite rocks. We can deliver you 2.5 miles further into the park along the winding, cliff-hugging North Cheyenne Canyon Road to the bustling Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center. One of the most popular ways to see the sights without worrying about missing the perfect shot with your camera.
Tucked tightly against the base of a roaring 35-foot waterfall, this cozy log-cabin center delivers high-energy mountain vibes. Inside, you will find historical artifacts, interpretive displays on the canyon’s ecosystems, and a fantastic little gift shop for local adventure gear.
But the real draw lies just beyond the front porch. Helen Hunt Falls is a spectacular cascade that crashes down the granite face right in front of you. From the visitor center, a short but heart-pumping 0.3-mile trail climbs steeply via a series of stairs. Reaching the top rewards you with a panoramic view of the canyon to the east and a spectacular vantage point over the footbridge hanging above Silver Cascade Falls.
Gateway to Seven Bridges Spectacular Hikes
Higher up the canyon from Helen Hunt Falls, North Cheyenne Creek tumbles down from the snowpack high above. We curated a three-hour guided hike so you can enjoy your surroundings without worrying about straying from the trail. We begin the hike on a historic railroad bed for a mile, then the stream greets you as you ascend through granite giants and cooling water, while you hear the song of local birds enjoying the stream, too. The trail crosses the stream seven times through scrub oak and under a canopy of pines and aspens, climbing to 8500′ in elevation! Your reward for your effort? A Class Three scramble over classic Pikes Peak scree and a stunning waterfall cascade! The trail is 3-4 miles long.
Wanna try another twist? E-bike Gold Camp Road to North Cheyenne Canyon Park!
North Cheyenne Canyon and the surrounding foothills feature steep terrain perfect for our thrilling Guided E-bike Tours. The routes follow the historic train bed, starting from Bear Creek Park and ending in North Cheyenne Canyon, with spectacular views of Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain, and Cheyenne Canyon!
Check out and book HERE or call our local office at (719) 578-0935 to reserve a spot.
Immerse yourself in nature!
Sassafras/Tammila K. Wright
