Top things to do near Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Cheyenne Mountain Resort sits on 217 acres at the foot of the Pikes Peak Range and offers on-site recreation (pools, a private 35-acre lake, golf, tennis/pickleball, and a full-service spa) plus easy access to regional sights such as Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Top things to do nearby include lake paddle sports and beach time on property, playing the nearby Country Club of Colorado golf course, visiting Garden of the Gods, riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or driving to the summit, and spending a half-day at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
In this guide
- Enjoy the resort’s lake, beach and aquatics center
- Play golf, tennis and pickleball on-site or nearby
- Visit Garden of the Gods and nearby rock formations
- Half-day trips: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Pikes Peak experiences
- Relax at Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat and the fitness center
- Dine on-site: Mountain View Restaurant, Gates Grille, Elevations and The General Store
- Plan excursions and transportation from the resort
Enjoy the resort’s lake, beach and aquatics center
Cheyenne Mountain Resort includes a private 35-acre lake with a white-sand beach where guests can kayak, paddleboard, or play beach volleyball. Swimming in the lake is not permitted; water activities and beach access run seasonally.
The Aquatics Center and pool complex provide multiple options for all ages: an indoor pool open year-round, a seasonal Olympic-size outdoor pool, a seasonal adults-only (21+) private pool and hot tub, a kiddie pool and splash pad, and water slides at the Aquatics Center.
- Resort Pool (heated) open year-round with typical hours listed by the resort
- Seasonal 50-meter Olympic outdoor pool and waterslides (summer season)
- Kids’ splash pad and kiddie pool for younger guests
| Feature | Seasonality / Notes |
|---|---|
| Private 35-acre lake | Seasonal activities (no lake swimming permitted) |
| Heated Resort Pool (main lodge) | Open year-round |
| Aquatics Center (pools, slides, splash pad) | Seasonal operations for some features; check resort schedules |
Play golf, tennis and pickleball on-site or nearby
Golfers can use resort golf amenities and have direct access to the Pete Dye–designed Country Club of Colorado course adjacent to the property; the course is commonly described as a short walk from the resort.
Courts at the resort include multiple tennis courts and dedicated pickleball courts, so you can fit in a match without leaving the grounds.
- Country Club of Colorado golf course (Pete Dye design) — close to the resort
- Sixteen tennis courts and eight pickleball courts reported on hotel listings
- Golf lessons, cart access and rental clubs are available (confirm with pro shop)
| Activity | Where to do it |
|---|---|
| Golf | Country Club of Colorado (adjacent / short walk) |
| Tennis | Resort tennis courts |
| Pickleball | Resort pickleball courts |
Visit Garden of the Gods and nearby rock formations
Garden of the Gods is a free public park known for its red sandstone formations and is commonly visited from the resort as a short drive. Plan at least 1.5–2 hours for a basic visit or longer if you plan to hike several trails.
To avoid the heaviest summer crowds, many guides recommend arriving before 9 AM or later in the afternoon; trail choices range from short paved viewpoints to longer hikes.
- Allow 1.5–3+ hours depending on activities (viewing, hiking, photos)
- Park is free to enter; seasonal crowding is greatest midday in summer
- Combine with a stop in Manitou Springs for shops and the cog railway access
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Arrive early or late | Fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in summer |
| Wear layered clothing | Mountain weather can change quickly |
| Bring water and sun protection | Some trails have little shade |
Half-day trips: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Pikes Peak experiences
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is frequently paired with a resort stay; it sits higher on the mountain above the resort and is typically a short drive. The zoo’s hilltop setting and animal encounters are popular with families.
For summit views, visitors can drive to Pikes Peak, ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs, or plan guided excursions. Each option has different time commitments — the cog railway is a multi-hour round trip — so plan accordingly.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — family-focused visit, typically a few hours
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway — multi-hour round trip to the summit
- Driving to Pikes Peak summit or combining Manitou Springs visits with Garden of the Gods
| Attraction | Typical visit time |
|---|---|
| Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | A few hours (half-day) |
| Pikes Peak Cog Railway | Several hours round-trip |
| Pikes Peak summit drive | Plan several hours including stops |
Relax at Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat and the fitness center
Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat is the resort’s full-service spa offering massages, facials, body treatments and nail services; guests under 16 are not permitted in the spa. Spa hours are published by the resort and may vary, so confirm when booking.
The complimentary fitness center is a multi-tiered, 9,000-square-foot facility with weight equipment, cardio machines and studio classes (spin and yoga classes typically carry an additional fee).
- Spa services: therapeutic massages, facials, body treatments, mani/pedi, and teen packages
- Fitness center: free access included with the resort fee; studio classes usually cost extra
- Spa age policy: guests must be at least 16 to use the spa
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Alluvia Spa & Wellness Retreat | Full-service spa; check hours and age policy |
| Fitness center | 9,000 sq ft; complimentary access (classes may cost extra) |
| Spa treatments for teens | Teen Spa Packages available |
Dine on-site: Mountain View Restaurant, Gates Grille, Elevations and The General Store
Cheyenne Mountain Resort provides several on-site dining options. Mountain View Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet with Rocky Mountain flavors (hours and buffet pricing are published by the resort).
Gates Grille overlooks the golf course and serves seasonal American dishes (check current open days/hours); Elevations Lounge offers cocktails and Colorado-inspired small plates; The General Store supplies coffee, smoothies and grab-and-go items from the lobby.
- Mountain View Restaurant: breakfast buffet (hours Mon–Fri 7:00–10:30 AM; Sat–Sun 7:00–11:00 AM)
- Gates Grille: lunch & dinner with seasonal hours (check days open)
- Elevations Lounge: cocktails and light meals; open most days into the evening
- The General Store: daily 6:30 AM–5:00 PM for coffee, ice cream and snacks
| Venue | Typical hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Mountain View Restaurant | Breakfast hours published by the resort |
| Gates Grille | Lunch & dinner; schedule varies midweek/weekend |
| Elevations Lounge | Cocktails and light fare; evenings |
Plan excursions and transportation from the resort
The resort functions as a self-contained destination with many on-site options, but a car is helpful if you want to visit regional attractions like the Royal Gorge, US Air Force Academy, or downtown Colorado Springs. The resort lists an airport distance to Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and may offer shuttle or transfer options.
A public bus stop on Hwy 115 near the resort provides a transit link to city attractions for travelers who prefer not to drive. Confirm current shuttle, parking and valet policies directly with the resort.
- Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is the nearest commercial airport; the resort references ground transfer options
- Public transit stop on Hwy 115 provides a connection into the city
- Car recommended for flexible day trips and sightseeing
| Transport option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resort shuttle / airport transfer | Resort lists transfer services; confirm availability |
| Public bus (Hwy 115) | Stop located near resort for city connections |
| Driving | Most convenient for regional day trips |
