The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an alien-like wonderland in the middle of nowhere! About 40 miles Northeast of Colorado Springs, this is a perfect little escape if you want an easy adventure with some fantastic rock structures.

The park is free to visit. There are two parking lots, but they can fill up quickly on busy weekend days. There are restrooms at the parking lot. From the first lot you come across, you will walk up a hill a couple hundred feet until you see the gorgeous mines.

The rock structures here are colorful, towering, and other worldly. The area is named after Native Americans who used the sandstone and soil to make brilliant paint colors and pottery. You can capture some amazing photos here, so be sure to bring the camera! There are trails throughout the rocks, as well as some that give you an aerial view of the park. The trails in the formations can get quite muddy, so be aware. You can usually see most of the park in an hour or a little more.

The trail is flat and wide. This is a great place to bring kids. Please just preserve the structures for future generations and do not climb on the rocks. Stick to the trails. Leave no trace!

Overall if you're looking for something a bit different and alien, this is the perfect adventure for you!

This one is sort of in the middle of nowhere! About 36 miles Northeast of Colorado Springs, the Paint Mines lie on a gravel road near Calhan, Colorado. The parking lot is a decent size, but can fill up quickly. If coming during a busy time, you may have to park on the road and add a bit of milage to the hike.