Away from the Grind
Paint Mines Interpretive Park – Calhan, CO
What it is: A badlands-type area in the Colorado prairie. Gullies, spires, hoodoos, and sculpted walls carved out of brightly colored clay deposits.
Location: About a 5 minute drive from Calhan, Colorado, approx. 30 miles east of Colorado Springs. Take Hwy 24 to Calhan, turn right on Yoder Rd., and follow the signs.
Gear: Nothing special. Wear sneakers or trail shoes and bring a water bottle and a snack.
Distance: Four miles of easy trails.
Details: This place is a well-kept secret. The sites listing “places to see in the Colorado Springs area” don’t mention it. When you arrive at the parking area (there’s a big stone sign declaring the park’s entrance), you won’t see anything spectacular — just prairie in every direction. Pick a trail — doesn’t matter which one, they all intersect and take you to the same spots — and go. The park is rich in plant and animal life and is a beautiful example of native prairie.
Sooner or later you’ll walk up on the expanse of natural clay sculpture. It is nothing short of spectacular — chasms, spires, overhangs, carved walls, the works. The colorful clays — layers of snowy white, golden yellow, rose pink and purplish mauve — are what give the park its name. Native Americans used the deposits for paints and pottery, and settlers later mined the clay to make bricks.
Though they look like solid stone, the hoodoos and other formations are in fact very fragile. When wet, the clay will rub off on your fingers and leave colorful smears on your clothes. Scrambling up and over the formations is discouraged; you’re literally hastening their erosion with every step. For this reason, pets and bicycles are forbidden.
Comments
chris warfield
May 15, 2009
I need to know if there are restrooms at this site. Please let me know. It looks like a great place to visit.
Roselyn Ludwig
May 16, 2009
There are some toilets there; however they seem to be open only seasonally. Last time I was there, they were locked.
Clare Scott
Sep 7, 2009
is there a place were you can actually dig up the clay and take it home? We are looking for clay to build an adobe oven.
Roger Ludwig
Sep 7, 2009
Well, not at Paint Mines. As you know it’s a county park set aside for preservation. I suppose you could go out to Calhan and visit with some locals. I wonder if the material in that vicinity is suitable for adobe construction. You certainly want the right mix of clay, sand, etc.
Clare Scott
Sep 8, 2009
Thanks so much, of course the county park must be preserved. I will check with someone local.
paurofura
Jan 2, 2010
Thx for the article!!
Richard Hahnen
Jul 8, 2010
Thanks for the nice information. I might add that dogs, horses, and bicycles are now prohibited in the park. The park is truly a jewel that needs all our protection.
Judy
Jul 12, 2010
My elderly mother wants to visit the park, but mobility is an issue. Can we see much of anything from the car? Are the trails easy enough to push her in a wheel chair??
Roselyn Ludwig
Jul 14, 2010
I recommend you continue past the first parking area. You’ll get a pretty good view from the road about a half mile further up. If you continue on, the road curves left; there is a second parking area about half mile after the curve. The broad trail from there is definitely smooth enough for a wheel chair and leads to a great overlook about 200 yards up.
Pamela
Sep 1, 2010
Is the park open only at certain times on certain days? Is there a cost?
Roselyn Ludwig
Sep 2, 2010
No, and no. No entry fees, and as far as I know, it’s open 24-7.
Brett
Oct 15, 2010
Interesting, I use to visit my grandfather out there back in the 80s and into the early 90s. (He actually lived in Yoder just south of Calhan). I use to visit Paint Mine when it was privately owned and I had to jump a fence to gain access; I even was called out over a bull-horn by a Sheriff once to come back to the main road. =)
Interesting its open now to the public, that is great. I miss that area, it was my childhood.
Donna
Oct 28, 2010
Gonna visit there this morning. :) Can’t wait….I have been wanting to photograph it for quite sometime!
Tom Lid
Mar 21, 2011
Can I overnight there in my camper?
Roselyn Ludwig
Mar 22, 2011
No, the parking lots are quite small.
Gonzales
Apr 19, 2011
Can you go camping here, my brother and I want to go camping for the night?
Roselyn Ludwig
May 5, 2011
No, it’s day use only. Sorry!
Arnold
May 20, 2011
Are there facilities this time if year such as restrooms and picnic area?
Roselyn Ludwig
May 22, 2011
Restrooms yes, not sure about picnic tables. They didn’t have any the last time I was there, but it’s been quite a while.
Peter & Brenda
May 22, 2011
Hiked Paint Mines Interpretive Park today 5/22/11 today. Was great but I strongly suggest to do this hike in the Spring or Fall as Summer would be unbearably hot. We also came across “fresh” mountain lion tracks (big ones). Tracks lead to the garbage in the parking lot so a word of caution and be careful.
I have pics of tracks if anyone is interested.
Good hiking! PLG
Roselyn Ludwig
May 24, 2011
wow… I’d never heard of mountain lions being there, but I did some web searching and did find one other mention of their presence. Good to know!!
Mike
Jun 2, 2011
We found an article about this area in a Colorado Springs tour guide we picked up at the Colorado Welcome Center in Red Rocks. Definitely plan on going to the area next trip to the Springs area. By the way, Mapquest shows Yoder St. going out of Calhan. Definitely will go before the summer heat sets in.
Frances
Jun 4, 2011
Brett, is there a way I can pictures to you (the next time i’m out near Yoder, Calhan, and Falcon)?
Roger Ludwig
Jun 4, 2011
You can post them on Flickr and let us know the url. Who is Brett?
Tom
Jun 18, 2011
Is there a price to enter the park? Can you email me this info?
Deb
Jun 20, 2011
any details on how long (miles)the hike is thru the praire until you reach the paint mines?
Roselyn Ludwig
Jun 21, 2011
Not long, I think a half-mile or less.
Roselyn Ludwig
Jun 21, 2011
No, it is free.
Nancy D
Jun 30, 2011
Is there a good map somewhere? Also, I read that the trail is short. Is there a way to make it a loop and make it longer?
N
Roselyn Ludwig
Jun 30, 2011
I don’t know of any maps. You really don’t need one — there is only one trail, it meanders through the park from one side to the other.
Mike
Jan 5, 2012
Thanks for your great review and pictures! We went out there today and had a blast. There were patches of snow lying around, but with the temperature being 65F today it felt great.
Thanks again!
Maria
Jan 16, 2012
We took our six and four year old out there today, January 16, 2012. We loved the experience and the trail brochure was informative and a great learning opportunity for the kids. There was snow on the ground, but trails were definitely still accessible. If you go in the winter, bring jackets, there was a lot of wind! Have fun!
Liz luscek
Jan 18, 2012
My daughter from Colorado took me to this beautiful location and I must have taken a hundred pictures of the beauty I saw there… I am from New Jersey was so impressed that I have told many friends to visit these Paint Mines if they ever get to Colorado….definitely worth it…..