I went early to avoid the crowds and glad I did. It’s a very interesting area with lots to explore. When coming from the parking lot, you don’t see the coloring on the rock/clay formations but keep walking! The pinks and yellows are gorgeous. There are other hikes around the area with a definite marked trail system. Given I was still adjusting to the elevation in Colorado, I didn’t make it the entire loop. It’s free exploring and definitely worth the visit.

Lovely place with an unbelievable formation and colorations of layers of earth. One of the best places I’ve been to in terms of geographic formations. Few suggestions - 1. Park in the second parking lot, it’s closer 2. Carry food & water, nothing around 3. Caps and sunscreen are must Plan to walk about 5 miles for setting all the formations. And do take time to appreciate this wonder of Mother Earth.

I loved the Paint mines!!!! They are so pretty!!! The trails are easy to read and are an easy hike! I had such a good time walking around and experiencing the joy of nature! The colors were so unique which I thought was so cool! I can't say I'm mad about my experience at all! If you're ever in the area and want a really cool place to visit, I'd highly recommend this location.

Beautiful, unique and very clean geological formation park, with strict rules. This shows at least that the park is really caring. The Paint Mines have a free car park, clean rest rooms and park rangers you can bombard with questions. The ways are very good for hiking. Would definitely recommend coming here. It’s just 30min from Colorado Springs by car.

This place rocks! Went on the 3.8 mile loop. Trail conditions were great and there was a lot of interesting native plans and views. Something about looking at the painted rocks settled into this vast grass plain was relaxing. The interpretive guide Chris was teaching us all kind of cool history about the area and gave us a bunch of information about local wildlife we had seen. Was an awesome time.

The landscape at this park is unlike anything I've seen before, with its vibrant and surreal rock formations. The vibrant colors and unique geology make it a photographer's dream come true📸🤳🏽 The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of lengths and difficulties, making it accessible for hikers of all levels. The interpretive signs along the way provide fascinating insights into the geological history of the park, adding an educational aspect to the experience. I was particularly impressed with the efforts to preserve and protect the fragile formations here. It's clear that the community values this natural treasure and is committed to its conservation. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, hiker, or simply someone looking for a serene and picturesque escape, Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a must-visit. It's a place that will leave you in awe of the Earth's artistry. I highly recommend a visit to this unique and beautiful park. It's a hidden gem that deserves to be explored and appreciated💖😍

This place is a nugget of Colorado. It's free to come here and walk the trail/see the formations, but no dogs, bikes, or horses are allowed on the trail. I'm pretty sure that's to protect the formations, because otherwise these trails are literally perfect for all three of those things 😆 Anyway, the formations are great - if you have kids or low mobility people with you, I'd suggest heading straight for the mines (make your first right from this parking lot). If you do so, the formations are maybe 1/2 mile away, if that. Take your time and enjoy it because there is really only one spot on this trail where all of these formations are. The rest of the trail is pretty much just a view of hills and wind turbines (which I enjoy, but not to say that's for everyone). There are "interpreters" that walk around, if you have any questions about the formations and they're really nice people. They will tell you to stop climbing or walking on the formations though -- don't be that person. Please be respectful and follow the rules. There is a bathroom at the trailhead and there is also a way to donate listed on a sign, if you'd like to do so.

I had a great experience. This was my first time and even though there were no signs that told you where to go, I was able to find the trail and find everything I wanted to see. Please stop here if you get a chance. There was an interpreter there who had all the knowledge on the park needed to answer any questions. It felt like I had stepped into a prehistoric landscape from another world. I thought the Flintstone family was going to pull up amnesty to me and ask me about the buffs game. It really feels amazing and I recommend this to anyone who gets a chance to check it out.

10/11/22. The rock does not look like any of the pictures posted. It’s not worth it to drive 45 minutes to see mostly white clay. But if it’s something that you must come, here is what I can shared. If you want to see just the rocks, then go to 4 and 5 on the map. For a good walks, then do 1 and 2 but nothing to see. After I did 4 and 5, I did not bother to do the rest. Have fun.

I ended up visiting before a storm hit and to be honest the overcast weather was perfect. The pigments in the rock formations were even brighter because the sunlight couldn’t bleach out any of the colors. There wasn’t much of a crowd and as the rain started it was a humbling experience to be surrounded by the echoes of thunder rolling in. Of course my phone could do the experience no justice.

Short 30 min drive from Colorado Springs. There is several trails to explore within this park. I can’t remember but I think there’s a set of washrooms at the beginning of the park. Plenty of parking. No dogs, no bicycles, no motor bikes, just walking. A ton of wildflowers in the summer time, it’s really windy in this area. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! The mines are beautiful, you can get close up and personal. Not too many people but very quiet and relaxing park. There is benches along the way to sit and watch the view. No water fountains, bring water! Normal walking shoes are okay, no need for hiking shoes They offer guided walks, make sure you go online and research the times

Beautiful place! If you have more limited mobility, I recommend parking at the West Overlook parking lot. I was pleasantly surprised to find a newly added trail that connects the overlook to the badlands, making it much easier to access the hoodoos. (See edited map attached.) However, the only pit restroom is located at the main parking lot. We enjoyed exploring the area all to ourselves around 230pm on a Friday in December at about 38°F. Come prepared with water and layers as the mines are in high prairie territory where there's not much around, and it can get pretty windy. We went on an overcast day, but I could see sunscreen being a necessity as well. Great free place to see with great history, not far from the Colorado Springs area!! 👍

Nice rock formations here, easy hike from the parking lot. It’s 2.5 miles round trip hike to the formations and you can actually walk around them. Great place with the family and it’s not too crowded. Only thing is the road to there from Elizabeth is not fully constructed. Otherwise it’s a good half day trip.

I got there at 6 am, had the whole place to myself to do some photography. I saw 2 people on my way out and a rabbit, that did not care that I was walking by him. The colors are amazing and I recommend golden hour for photography so the whites don't overwhelm the color. Take water with you. It was cool early morning and I was fine, I was walking around for 2 hours, I can see how you could easily get heat stroke doing that in the middle of the day with no water. Love the hoodoo and this little park gives big National Parks in Utah a run for their money. Highly recommended.

This place is unexpectedly fantastic! The 'formations' area is absolutely stunning and worth a visit. There are additional paths around the nearby plains, mostly filled with copious sunflowers. Not so much interesting geology out there. There is NO SHADE. Hats, sunscreen, water... I brought a spf50 umbrella and was grateful for it.

Came for some wide open spaces and didn't tell the kids what to expect. My ten year old said "It's just an open field" until 10 minutes in. Then it changes and you get to see the coolest free place ever. So worth the drive down bumpy roads and the complaining lol. Golden hour was magnificent and I still can't believe we were able to see this place!

I went on a Tuesday and it was very nice, most likely it will be windy (note the wind turbines in the pictures) come prepared with jacket, hat, gloves (if temperatures in 40-50’s or below) I had a great time walking around. Bring water, chapstick, sunglasses & a picnic. No dogs allowed per the signs

Probably one of the coolest areas I’ve ever seen. It’s in the high desert plains just east of Colorado Springs. Very interesting rock formations and varieties of colors which you don’t see every day. This area is very exposed and has little shade or anything to protect you from the sun and various other elements, so I would advise wearing proper clothing depending on the season and bringing water no matter what time. Hikes/trails were easy and everyone can access this area. Last section of road to get here is gravel.

Visited back in early June on a weekend trip. Drove down from Boulder, set up camp a few miles away and then went here late afternoon. Lots of sunlight still but sun was lower on the horizon making it a great time of day for pictures. Parked at the lower lot as the upper one was pretty full. Plus we wanted to stretch our legs a bit. Walked up and around and finally came to the main area with rock formations. Spent quite a bit of time exploring all the books and crannies and then made our way to the overlook. Clouds were spectacular that afternoon. Headed back down to the car after the overlook. Great little area. Never knew it existed before this. We always travel west into the mountains so surprised by this gem out east in the flats.

From the lookout areas, it looks cool. But that's nothing compared to going down into the mines. You are walking through a maze of rock formations and colors. The shape of these formations seems to change as your viewing angle changes. I spent a whole morning in just a portion of the park. I liked starting early when it was cool, quite and fewer people. I'm planning to go back to explore the rest on future trips.

It was the first time I had been there. I really enjoyed every moment. The hiking was fun and the sites were incredible. I would definitely recommend seeing it at least once. It's worth the drive and I am amazed it's free to get in.

Lovely geological formation tucked into the prairie! I didn’t have time to explore the entire park, but I definitely wanted to! It was a great place to stretch my legs a little while passing through eastern Colorado. Plenty of nicely kept trail. The north entrance is the best place to start. There is no visitors center, but there is a map at the north entrance and information placards along the trail. There was a staff person walking around answering questions and providing additional information about the geology and history of the formation. There were restrooms at the north entrance and a port-a-potty at the southwest entrance.

Wear tennis shoes, pack sunscreen and take plenty of water. There's very little shade here. The path is packed dirt and loose sand in some areas. I'd recommend going early in the morning so the sun isn't as intense. There's one bench on the path from the parking area heading towards the formations (full sun). That's the only spot we saw to rest. There are a couple outhouses at the first parking area. There is also a picnic table here. *No dogs, horses or bicycles here. Also no climbing on the rocks.*

What a strange and beautiful place. This is coming from someone who grew up in Florida and spent the last 10+ years of her life in Alaska, so, I have never seen landscape like this. Lots of wild flowers blooming everywhere and a very nice walk. We only did about half of it due to having a young child with us and rain coming in. I will definitely be back to explore the rest!

It was rainy when we visited so there were few other visitors. Had a nice hike along the trails. If it's rainy when you visit, wear shoes with good treads or you'll slip and slide all over.

Very beautiful sight to visit for a blast from your past. Jump millions of years into our past and look at all the cool things that happened in the dirt!

Oh boy does Mother Nature have a unique treat for you. Yes, go, now! She planted so many pretty flowers for you to see, along with one of a kind, 55 million year-old ancient formations to awe over. The ancestors smile upon you. (No dogs, horses or bikes allowed here...)

I'll have to honest, I had been to the badlands in South Dakota a year ago so when I saw these pictures I probably built it up a little more in my mind. Wasn't what I expected and I was a bit disappointed. The hike was great and good exercise and I appreciate the geology of the terrain but I guess it's all a matter of perspective. The badlands are just so massive and astounding. This is small and spread out. Don't be like me and go to this expecting SD badlands or you will be disappointed.

Very unique park in Colorado! Well-kept, beautiful views of both the formations and of the plains, and you can walk 3-4 miles around the trails or you can do a brief walk from different parking lots to see the bulk of what you need to see. We went on a cool/cloudy day and we are SO glad we did — there is zero shade, so it probably would’ve been unbearable in the heat. It’s a two hour drive from Denver, so not sure we would go down again, but it was totally worth seeing once!