Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a free El Paso County open space near Calhan where colorful clays, hoodoos and spires protect thousands of years of human history.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan, CO
About 750 acres of prairie east of Colorado Springs hold bands of white, yellow, pink and purple clay stained by oxidized iron. Wind and water carved gullies into selenite clay and jasper, leaving hoodoos and soft spires that American Indians once used for paint pigments. Archaeological work shows people returned here for roughly 9,000 years; the park is listed as an Archaeological District on the National Register of Historic Places. Four miles of dirt and gravel trails, interpretive signs and a year-round restroom serve day hikers who stay on designated paths.
Admission is free and the park is open dawn to dusk every day of the year. Pets, horses, bicycles and drones are prohibited; climbing or entering the formations is not allowed, and removing rocks or artifacts is illegal. There is no drinking water and little shade, so bring more water than you think you need, sun protection and sturdy closed-toe shoes. The county dirt road to 29950 Paint Mines Road can be dusty or muddy — drive carefully and watch for other visitors. Call El Paso County Parks at (719) 520-7529 for conditions or commercial photography permits.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District Pillars on the Rim by MElizabethTill (CC BY-SA 4.0); Calhan Paint Mines by Kevvy baby (CC BY-SA 3.0); 2020-09-07 at the Calhan Paint Mines – 138 by mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); 2020-09-07 at the Calhan Paint Mines – 080 by mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District 02 by ERoss99 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District The Pillars by MElizabethTill (CC BY-SA 4.0); The White Rocks at Calhan Paint Mines by MElizabethTill (CC BY-SA 4.0); Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District 01 by ERoss99 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Calhan Paint Mines Archeological District 03 by ERoss99 (CC BY-SA 3.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Confirm trail rules and guided-hike schedules on the El Paso County Paint Mines page for Calhan, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Paint Mines Interpretive Park?
- Hike the trails: Follow about four miles of paths past hoodoos, spires and colorful clay walls.
- Photography: Non-commercial landscape shots are welcome from the trails; stay off formations.
- Interpretive stops: Read geology, ecology and prehistory panels along the routes.
- Guided hikes: Register for seasonal county-led walks when offered.
- Quiet prairie time: Watch birds and open-sky views away from the Front Range crowds.
What is nearby Paint Mines Interpretive Park?
- Calhan: Closest services for gas, food and supplies.
- Colorado Springs: About 45 minutes west via U.S. 24.
- Garden of the Gods: Free red-rock park in Colorado Springs.
- Florissant Fossil Beds: Petrified stumps and fossils west of the Springs.
- Pikes Peak region: Cog railway, Manitou and Cascade attractions for a longer day.
When was Paint Mines Interpretive Park established?
El Paso County protects the site as a public interpretive park; the landscape itself records human use stretching back about 9,000 years. The Archaeological District listing recognizes that long history. Modern facilities include parking, restrooms and marked trails managed by county parks staff.
When is Paint Mines Interpretive Park open?
The park is open dawn to dusk year-round and does not close for holidays. There is no gate fee. Arrive early on weekends and after rain — the dirt access road and trails can be slick. Night photography requires a county permit.
Are there any tips for visiting Paint Mines Interpretive Park?
Leave pets at home — they are not allowed. Pack water, sunscreen and a hat; shade is scarce. Stay on trails, never climb the clay formations, and pack out trash. Avoid gulches if storms threaten flash flooding. Commercial or staged photo shoots need advance permits from Parks@elpasoco.com.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located at 29950 Paint Mines Road, Calhan, CO 80808. Call (719) 520-7529 or visit the El Paso County parks page for rules and maps.