Guide to Planning a Visit to Paint Mines Colorado

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Colorado is one of the state’s most stunning and underrated natural parks. Its colorful hoodoos and eroded rock formations are reminiscent of South Dakota’s Badlands National Park and Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. Unlike these parks, Paint Mines is free for all to access and it’s located just 1.5 hours from Denver or 45 minutes from Colorado Springs. In addition to the stunning landscape, a visit to the Paint Mines provides the opportunity to learn more about the incredible geology and history of this area. Here’s our guide to planning your perfect visit to Paint Mines Colorado, whether you’re a photographer, hiker, or nature enthusiast.

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Contents

• Geology and History of the Paint Mines Colorado
• Getting to Paint Mines Interpretive Park and Parking Info
• Paint Mines Interpretive Park Trails
• Paint Mines Rules & Regulations
• Best Time to Visit Paint Mines Interpretive Park
• Is It Worth Visiting Paint Mines Colorado in Winter?
• Where to Stay for Your Paint Mines Colorado Visit

Geology and History of the Paint Mines Colorado

A visit to the Paint Mines in Colorado provides a unique opportunity to witness how nature and humans have shaped this land over thousands of years. The paint mines are named for the colorful clays that Native Americans extracted from the area and used to make paints.

The unique rock formations are made from a combination of colored clay, selenite (a form of gypsum), and sandstone. They’ve been sculpted naturally over the course of millions of years by erosion. Their distinctive colors come from the layers of oxidized iron compounds, resulting in vivid bands of pink, purple, yellow, and white. Erosion has created the hoodoos that give the area its dramatic appearance, and the landscape continues to evolve with rain and wind.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Paint Mines have been used by Indigenous peoples for over 9,000 years. Research shows that prehistoric Native American tribes used the clays for creating pottery, ceremonial paint, and tools. Arrowheads, tools, and pieces of pottery have been found throughout the site.

Pro tip: Be sure to read the Interpretive signs along the trails for insight into this history and geology of the park.

Getting to Paint Mines Interpretive Park and Parking Info

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located just outside of Calhan, Colorado, which is about 45 minutes northeast of Colorado Springs and about 1.5 hours from Denver. The address of the main parking lot is 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808 for your GPS.

The park is free, and can be accessed year-round from dawn to dusk.

Paint Mines Parking Options

Hikers: We’d suggest to park in the Main parking lot if you plan to walk to the Paint Mines.

• This is the only parking area with restrooms available (the restrooms are primitive, with no running water).
• This is a fairly small parking lot, that fills up quickly on weekends and holidays, especially during the summer months.
• If this parking lot is full, continue on to either the Overlook parking lot (see details below) or the South parking lot. The South Trailhead parking lot is about 0.9 miles (1.5 km) from the base of the paint mine formations.

Scenic Views Without the Hike: For those with mobility issues or who simply would like to enjoy the views without the hike, we’d suggest parking in the Overlook parking lot.

• Continue about 0.5 miles past the main parking lot on Paint Mine Road until you reach the Overlook parking lot.
• Take the roughly 200 yard handicap-accessible trail to the overlook for panoramic views. The views from the overlook to the paint mines face east. In the morning, you’ll be taking photos into the sun. In the afternoon, the sun will be behind you.
• It is possible to park here and walk the short distance down to the paint mines as well.

All parking areas are free and open during daylight hours only. There are no water sources available at the park, so plan accordingly.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park Trails

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park trails are rated as easy-to-moderate and are accessible to most visitors. Most visitors follow the Paint Mines Interpretive Trail, though it is easy to shorten this hike significantly.

Paint Mines Interpretive Trail Facts

• Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip (5.5 km)
• Elevation gain: 331 ft. (100 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy-Moderate
• Pets: No dogs allowed, to help protect the delicate sandstone environment

This is a wide gravel trail that takes you past the colorful sandstone formations and wide open prairies, as well as a geological, history, and prehistory interpretive sites. We’d suggest to download the Alltrails map before you go, or at a minimum, take a photo of the trail map at the main parking lot entrance.

Pro tip: If you’ve parked in the main parking lot, take a right (heading south) for the most direct way to the formations. You’ll reach these in about 0.6 miles (1 km). After touring the paint mines, you can either continue around the loop through the plains, or retrace your steps for a shorter hike.

What to See on the Paint Mines Interpretive Trail

• Colorful Hoodoos: The trail winds through the heart of the clay formations, where you’ll see multicolored, banded hoodoos.
• History and Geology: Look for the interpretive signs with information on the area’s history and geology as you progress along the trail.
• Scenic Prairie and Windmill Views: After passing the formations, the trail opens up to views of the surrounding prairie to the east. From here, you can often see Pikes Peak to the West. Enjoy the views of the large windmills dotting the plains.

Paint Mines Rules & Regulations

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a protected area, due to its geologic and historic significance. The sandstone is incredible fragile. When you visit, be sure to:

• Stay on marked trails. Be sure to respect all marked trail closed signs.
• Avoid climbing on the sandstone formations. You will see signs in some areas (such as the one in the photo below), asking you to stay off the rock formations. While other areas are not as clearly marked, it is critical that you not climb on any of the formations. Many visitors do not respect this rule. As a result, they cause damage to these stunning and fragile rock formations.
• No dogs are allowed in the park. We saw dog paw prints on a recent hike in the park.

Please respect the rules of the park to ensure that the Paint Mines are available for future generations. For a full set of the Paint Mine rules and regulations, see the El Paso County website.

Hiking Tips

There is minimal shade and no running water or food at the Paint Mines Colorado. It’s important to come prepared.

• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses are essential.
• Good Hiking Shoes: Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. The clay can be slippery when wet and dusty when dry. In winter, we’d suggest bringing microspikes and/or trekking poles.
• Camera/Smartphone: You’ll want to capture the stunning formations. A wide-angle lens is great for landscape shots.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.

Check our day hike essentials checklist for more recommendations.

Best Time to Visit Paint Mines Interpretive Park

The best time to visit Paint Mines Interpretive Park is during the spring and fall. From April to June and September to early November, you’ll typically find mild weather and be able to avoid the scorching summer sun. Since the park is located in an open prairie, it has little to no shade. If you visit in the summer or on hotter days, we’d recommend avoiding midday summer visits due to the heat.

For the best photos, morning and late afternoon visits are ideal times to capture the vibrant colors of the formations with soft lighting. If you’d like to avoid crowds, weekdays and early mornings on weekends are your best bet. Or, simply visit in winter, when you’ll rarely find any crowds.

Is it Worth Visiting Paint Mines Colorado in Winter?

Many people wonder if it’s worth visiting the Paint Mines in winter. The short answer is yes! Paint Mines Interpretive Park can be beautiful in winter, but only with the right planning. We personally enjoy hiking the Paint Mines in winter, since there are relatively few visitors, and we often have much of the park to ourselves.

Check the trail reviews to find the latest conditions before you head out, on Alltrails or similar apps. Keep in mind that snow and ice can make the clay trails slick and muddy, so wear proper footwear with good traction. Be sure to come prepared for the conditions, whether that means sufficient warm clothes, possibly snowshoes, microspikes, or trekking poles.

Pro tip: Avoid visiting right after heavy snowfall or during thawing periods when the clay gets very soft and difficult to walk on.

Where to Stay for Your Paint Mines Colorado Visit

If you want to make your visit to the Paint Mines in Colorado part of a longer trip, we’d recommend staying in Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs, for easy access to other activities. Some good options for lodging include:

Elegant downtown Colorado Springs hotel, about 45 minutes from the park.	The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel
Luxury resort-style stay in Colorado Springs, with spa, golf, fine dining, and stunning grounds	Broadmoor
Luxury resort with stunning views, spa, and golf, also around 45 minutes away. It is just outside of Garden of the Gods and close to all that Manitou Springs has to offer.	Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
Highly rated budget hostel in Colorado Springs with dormitory and private rooms.	RAD Hostel

Search other Colorado Springs lodging options using the map below:

Final Thoughts Paint Mines Colorado

Whether you’re a Colorado local or visiting the state, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park inColorado is a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys hiking, nature, history, geology, or photography. Its stunning landscape and rich history make it a perfect day trip from Denver. If you decide to stay longer in the Colorado Springs area, search for other great tours and activities on Viator.

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