Colorado Springs Without the Crowds: A Local's Guide to Seeing the Sights

Everyone has seen the photos: the surreal red rock fins of Garden of the Gods, the majestic summit of Pikes Peak, the cascading waters of Seven Falls. And for good reason—they’re spectacular. But what the photos don’t show are the traffic-clogged entrances, the crowded viewpoints with people jockeying for a selfie, and the sold-out tickets.

You don’t have to settle for that experience.

Seeing the best of Colorado Springs isn’t about avoiding the iconic spots; it’s about visiting them smarter. It’s about knowing which entrance to use, what time to go, and which nearby alternative gives you all the views with none of the hassle. This is your guide to experiencing the magic of this city without the madness of the crowds.

Garden of the Gods: The Backdoor Strategy
Pikes Peak: Ditch the Crowds for a Better View
The Manitou Incline: How to Score a Spot (and What to Do if You Can’t)
Seven Falls: Finding Peace at The Broadmoor’s Oasis
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: A Pro’s Timing Guide
Your Crowd-Free Colorado Springs Basecamp
Frequently Asked Questions

Garden of the Gods: The Backdoor Strategy

Let’s start with the crown jewel. Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark, and its main entrance off 30th Street often feels like the entrance to a theme park on a holiday weekend. The main parking lots fill up by 9 AM, especially in the summer, forcing you into a slow, frustrating loop hunting for a spot.

Here’s how to do it right.

Use the Backdoor Entrances

Instead of the main entrance, plug “Garden of the Gods Trading Post” into your GPS (324 Beckers Ln, Manitou Springs, CO 80829). This brings you in from the south via Beckers Lane. It’s a less-traveled route that drops you right near the Balancing Rock and provides easier access to parking lots further from the main cluster.

Another fantastic option is the entrance via Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site off of 30th Street. You can often find parking here and walk into the less-congested northern part of the park.

Master Your Timing

The absolute best time to visit Garden of the Gods is at sunrise. The park technically opens at 5 AM, and watching the first light hit Pikes Peak and illuminate the red rocks is a core Colorado Springs experience. You’ll share the park with a few photographers and trail runners instead of hundreds of tourists.

Can’t do sunrise? The hour before sunset is the next best thing. The “golden hour” light is stunning, and the crowds begin to thin out significantly as people head to dinner. Weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday) are always going to be calmer than weekends.

Ditch the Main Loop

The Central Garden Trail (the paved 1.5-mile loop) is where 90% of visitors congregate. It’s beautiful, but it’s a bottleneck. For a more peaceful experience with equally stunning views, try these trails:

Siamese Twins Trail: A short, easy 1-mile loop with a massive payoff. The trail leads to a rock formation with a window that perfectly frames Pikes Peak. It’s arguably the best photo op in the entire park, and far fewer people make the effort to see it.
Chambers/Bretag/Palmer Trail: This is a more moderate 3-mile loop that circles the entire park. It offers incredible perspectives of the rock formations from a distance, with the mountains as a backdrop, and you’ll encounter a fraction of the people.
Ridge Trail: A short, moderate half-mile loop with some slight scrambling that gives you an elevated view over the Central Garden, away from the crowds on the pavement below.

Pikes Peak: Ditch the Crowds for a Better View

Reaching the 14,115-foot summit of “America’s Mountain” is a bucket-list item. The two most popular ways up are the Pikes Peak Highway and the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Both can be incredibly crowded.

The Pikes Peak Highway Strategy

If you choose to drive, timing is everything. The gate opens at 7:30 AM in the summer. Be there at 7:30 AM. The traffic gets progressively worse throughout the day.

Crucial Pro-Tip: Before you even get in the car, check the official Pikes Peak website for current conditions and road status. From late September to May, snow can close the summit to vehicles at any time.

During peak season, the summit parking lot often fills up, and you’ll be required to park at a lower lot (around Mile 16) and take a complimentary shuttle to the top. Arriving early is your best bet to avoid this. The drive itself has tons of pull-offs and viewpoints; use them on your way down, not up, to keep the flow of traffic moving.

The Cog Railway Alternative

The Cog Railway is a fantastic, historic experience, but tickets sell out weeks or even months in advance. If you want to ride it, book as far ahead as possible. If it’s sold out, don’t despair.

The Best View (Without the Summit)

Want an amazing Pikes Peak experience with zero crowds? Drive up the Pikes Peak Highway only to the Crystal Creek Reservoir, located at Mile 6. It’s a stunning alpine lake with incredible views of the mountain’s north face. There are picnic areas, fishing spots, and a gift shop. You pay a much lower entry fee ($5 per person vs. $15 for the full highway) and get 90% of the beauty with 10% of the hassle.

The Manitou Incline: How to Score a Spot (and What to Do if You Can’t)

The legendary Manitou Incline is a mile-long staircase made of former railway ties that gains 2,000 feet of elevation. It’s a serious physical challenge, and its popularity now requires a free online reservation system to manage the crowds.

The Reservation Game

Reservations become available on a rolling basis, about 4-8 weeks out. The prime morning slots (6 AM - 9 AM) get snatched up almost instantly. Plan ahead and book the moment your desired date becomes available. If you miss out, check the reservation site obsessively the day before your desired hike. People cancel, and spots do open up, but you have to be lucky.

The Better Alternative: Section 16

If you can’t get an Incline reservation or are looking for a fantastic workout with similar views and far fewer people, head to the Section 16 Trailhead / Palmer Loop (located on Gold Camp Road). This 5.7-mile loop is a local’s favorite. The initial climb is steep and will get your heart pumping, but once you reach the ridge, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon, and the entire city. It’s the perfect mix of challenge and reward.

After a strenuous hike like Section 16 or the Incline, there’s nothing better than coming home to relax and recover. For larger active groups, our Stunning Mountain Views, Hot Tub, Game Room home at 26 Westmark Ave is ideal. The private hot tub is a lifesaver for sore muscles, and the game room provides hours of entertainment, all while being a short drive from the west side’s best trailheads.

Seven Falls: Finding Peace at The Broadmoor’s Oasis

Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls in a magnificent box canyon. It’s privately owned by The Broadmoor hotel, which means it’s impeccably maintained but also comes with a price tag and a mandatory shuttle system from the hotel.

How to Visit Without the Herd

The key to Seven Falls is to be on the first shuttle of the day. Check their website for hours, as they change seasonally. By arriving before the masses, you can experience the canyon’s grandeur in relative peace.

Most visitors take a photo at the bottom and leave. The real magic lies in climbing the 224 steps alongside the falls and hiking the short trails at the top. The trail to Inspiration Point is less than a mile and offers a breathtaking overlook of the Great Plains. You’ll leave the majority of the crowd behind as soon as you start climbing.

The Free, Local Alternative: Helen Hunt Falls

For a beautiful waterfall experience without the cost or logistics, head to Helen Hunt Falls in North Cheyenne Cañon Park (3440 N Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906). The park itself is a city-owned gem, and the drive up the canyon is spectacular. You can see the main falls from the parking lot, and a short, moderate hike up the Silver Cascade Trail takes you to an even more impressive cascade. It’s free, stunning, and thoroughly local.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: A Pro’s Timing Guide

America’s only mountain zoo is a must-see, especially for families. But its unique layout on the side of a mountain and its world-famous giraffe herd mean it gets packed.

The Giraffe Strategy

The highlight for many is hand-feeding the giraffes. This also means the line for lettuce can be incredibly long. To beat it, you have two options:

Arrive at Opening: Buy your tickets online in advance (they are timed-entry). Arrive 15 minutes before your slot, and once inside, make a beeline for the African Rift Valley exhibit. You’ll get to the giraffes before the majority of the crowd even makes it through the entrance.
Go Late: The last two hours of the day are significantly less crowded. Families with young kids have often left, and you can enjoy the exhibits at a more leisurely pace. The animals are often more active in the late afternoon as well.

Don’t skip the Mountaineer Sky Ride. This chairlift offers phenomenal views of the zoo and the city below. The line is longest midday, so ride it first thing in the morning or just before it closes for the best experience.

Your Crowd-Free Colorado Springs Basecamp

Where you stay in Colorado Springs can make or break your crowd-avoidance strategy. Staying on the west side of town, near Old Colorado City or Manitou Springs, puts you minutes away from the entrances to Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Red Rock Canyon. This means you can get to the trailheads before the traffic builds up from the eastern suburbs.

Having a full kitchen in a Colorado Springs vacation rental is a secret weapon. You can prep a quick breakfast and coffee and be out the door while everyone else is waiting in line at a restaurant. It allows you to own the morning, which is the key to beating the crowds at every major attraction.

For families who want non-stop entertainment without ever leaving the house, the Epic Family Home: Mini-Golf, Sauna, Hot Tub, Games at 19 Clover Cir E is a destination in itself. With a private nine-hole mini-golf course, a dry sauna, and a game room, it’s the perfect retreat after a day of strategically exploring the sights. It’s a place where you can create your own fun, far from any queue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least crowded time to visit Colorado Springs?

The shoulder seasons—late April through May and September through October (after Labor Day)—offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer tourists. For any season, visiting mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday) will always be less crowded than on the weekend.

Do I need a reservation for Garden of the Gods?

No, Garden of the Gods is a free city park and does not require reservations. However, other popular attractions like the Manitou Incline (required), the Pikes Peak Cog Railway (highly recommended), and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (required) do need advance booking.

Is it better to drive or take the Cog Railway up Pikes Peak?

This depends on your preference. Driving the Pikes Peak Highway offers more flexibility to stop at various scenic overlooks, lakes, and visitor centers along the way. The Cog Railway offers a historic, guided experience without the stress of mountain driving. If avoiding crowds is your top priority, driving yourself early in the morning gives you the most control over your schedule.

Where is the best area to stay in Colorado Springs to avoid traffic?

Staying on the west side of I-25, particularly in or near Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, or the Broadmoor area, is your best bet. This location provides direct and quick access to most of the major outdoor attractions, allowing you to get there ahead of the traffic coming from the more populated eastern parts of the city.

Planning a trip to Colorado Springs is exciting, and with a little bit of local knowledge, you can make it truly unforgettable. By choosing the right time, the right trail, and the right entrance, you can spend less time in a line and more time soaking in the incredible scenery.

Ready to plan your smart, crowd-free adventure? Find the perfect home base for your trip and get the best rates by booking your Colorado Springs vacation rental directly with Springline Stays.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — a must-visit near our Colorado Springs properties.