Explore
Adventure is calling
One of our favorite parts of living on Windflower Mountain is the feeling of living in nature’s playground. There is so much to do around Windflower Mountain, all you have to do is some exploring.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 17 mi (approx. 35 min)
Anglers and writers consistently tout Eleven Mile’s large reservoir for its outstanding fishing. When not reeling in a trophy rainbow, brown, cutthroat, kokanee or pike, there are nearly five miles of scenic hiking and biking trails that await exploration.
Canoe the day away around the shores of the backcountry. Fish from the shoreline or troll from a boat while enjoying scenic vistas. Camp comfortably in designated campsites located around the shoreline, nestled among trees in the backcountry.
Ideal wind conditions make Eleven Mile a popular, but not overly crowded destination for sailing, windsurfing and winter ice boating on this wide-open reservoir. Motor boaters and kayakers also find plenty of room to play during the summer months.
Many species of birds reside in or migrate through the park, making for wonderful bird watching prospects.
Waterfowl hunting chances for a wide variety of ducks are excellent and are available each fall!
Eleven Mile Canyon Hike
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 17 mi (approx. 35 min)
Generally considered an easy route, this 17.8-mile out-and-back trail near Lake George, CO takes an average of 7 h 52 min to complete. This is a popular trail for camping, fishing, and scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through September.
Historic Cripple Creek
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 21.6 mi (approx. 35 min)
In its early years, the Cripple Creek was known for its gold, with over 500 mines churning out more than 22 million ounces of gold over two decades. Today, you’ll find treasure of a different sort: rich history, year-round events and fun family attractions.
The town of Victor
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 24.6 mi (approx. 38 min)
Victor, CO is a unique setting of 1890's mine structures and turn-of-the-century brick buildings, unique shops and restaurants, as well as hiking trails, museums, and gold mining experiences. It has clean, cool mountain air and plenty of year-round sunshine.
Victor is a treasure of historic sites, drives and activities for all ages. Year-round, you can explore the 1890's gold rush legacy from railroads to mining to milling and ranching.
Royal Gorge Bridge
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 36 mi (approx. 50 min)
Home of America’s Highest Suspension Bridge
Step by step, walk the 1,257 wooden planks suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River across the world-famous Royal Gorge Bridge.
Conquer the gorge on the Via Ferrata course, soar over the edge on the World’s Scariest Skycoaster, and fly across the Royal Gorge on Colorado’s #1 Bucket List Zip Line all found right here in Southern Colorado. The ultimate Colorado experience at America’s Bridge is packed with adventures for everyone in the family.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 39.5 mi (approx. 47 min)
The Royal Gorge Railroad combines breathtaking scenery and exceptional service with delicious food, sourced locally and prepared fresh right on board the train for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The train offers up to four departures daily. Check out our award-winning Murder Mystery Dinner Trains, First Class Lunch and Dinner Trains, offering a romantic, multi-course culinary delight, along with a selection of award-winning wines from around the world.
Florissant Fossil Beds
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 18.1 mi (approx. 25 min)
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.
The geology, fossils, and human stories of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument are part of a common geologic heritage. The layers of rock beneath this valley contain one of the richest fossil deposits in the world. They hold clues of unexpected environments and life that existed here during a time called the late Eocene.
Guffey Gorge
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 4.5 mi (approx. 6 min)
Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area, also referred to as Paradise Cove, is a popular recreation fee site located in southern Park County. Tucked within a rural, agricultural setting, Guffey Gorge is an 80 acre parcel of land located twelve miles away from Guffey, Colorado's town center. A mile hike along West Fourmile Creek takes visitors through impressive rock features, wildflower meadows, and, upon entering the gorge, a ponderosa pine forest. After a steep descent down a hill, visitors can enjoy the small swimming hole that is bordered by rock walls and is fed by a cascade. The recreation site is day-use only fee site ($6.00/day) and provides a parking area for vehicles, an informational kiosk, vault toilets, and trash service during the summer months.
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 32.1 mi (approx. 44 min)
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is a marvelous world class museum here in Woodland Park. We feature an awe-inspiring display of dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and fish of North America’s late Cretaceous period. The fossil skeletons on display are supplemented with vibrant graphics and life-restoration sculptures to help you visualize these fascinating animals in life and the environments in which they lived.
Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 31.8 mi (approx. 39 min)
The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience gives kids of all ages the opportunity to experience science-focused interactive displays, full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, hands-on exhibits with real dinosaur fossils, skinned animatronic dinosaur exhibits, guided tours, and—for added family fun, value and lasting memories—a multi-story ropes course.
The Butte Theater
Distance from Windflower Mountain: 20.1 mi (approx. 34 min)
The Butte Theater features a schedule of melodramas year round brought to life by the Thin Air Theater Company. Sponsored by the city of Cripple Creek, the Butte Theater is a historical landmark that has been in operation since 1896. You won't want to miss the opportunity to catch a show at the Butte, especially their annual Christmas productions!