Pikes Peak State Park offers more than just stunning vistas of the Mississippi River. Park manager Matt Tschirgi highlights several lesser-known attractions in this scenic area, inviting visitors to uncover hidden gems beyond the well-trodden paths.
Veiled beauty
A brief trek into the forest reveals Bridal Veil Falls, a picturesque waterfall cascading over limestone. In winter, the frozen water creates a veil-like appearance. Along the way to the falls, explore a bear-shaped effigy mound and the Crow’s Nest, a lookout point offering stunning views 500 feet above the Mississippi River.
Resting place
The park is home to 63 Native American burial mounds, with varied shapes like conical, linear, compound, and bear-shaped effigies. For those eager to delve deeper into the history of these mound builders, the Effigy Mounds National Monument is a short 8-mile drive north.
Sorry, Colorado
Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the area predates his Colorado namesake. In 1805, the U.S. government tasked Pike with identifying strategic military sites along the Mississippi, leading him to suggest the current location of the park. However, a fort was ultimately established across the river in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Notably, explorers Louis Joliet and Father James Marquette first documented the site in 1673.
Tiny trees
The Chinquapin Ridge Trail offers a longer hike showcasing the unique dwarf chinquapin oaks. For those wanting to explore further, the Horn Hollow Loop and Point Ann trails guide visitors through the park’s enchanting valleys and springs.
That view
Point Ann, roughly a four-mile hike from the main parking area, provides a breathtaking overlook of McGregor and the Mississippi. Observant visitors might spot peregrine falcons near the grain elevators. The trail also reveals the aftermath of a 2017 tornado that devastated 4,000 trees. Short on time? Begin your adventure at the McGregor parking lot for a quicker path to Point Ann.
Dig it
Fossil enthusiasts can explore the old quarry located just north of the Homestead parking lot. This area, with its towering 60-foot walls, is a treasure trove for those keen on geology and paleontology.
Snack shop
After a day of exploration, the Park Store offers refreshments and keepsakes. Operated by the Friends of Pikes Peak, the store reopened in 2017 and serves visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Memorial Day through mid-October.
Peak Inn to history
Step back in time at the original Peak Inn location, where visitors once enjoyed soda and ice cream in the 1920s. The wooden structure, now relocated to the Homestead parking lot, was originally moved in the 1930s but returned to the park in 2003, thanks to a donation from the Bickel family.
Make a camping reservation at Pikes Peak
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