Paint Mines Interpretive Trail: One of Colorado’s Most Unique Hikes
The 750-acre Paint Mines Interpretive Site in El Paso County, Colorado is an otherworldly but extremely accessible hike for Front Range residents. Instead of driving west up into the mountains, the Paint Mines is easily driven to just 45 minutes from Colorado Springs and 90 minutes from Denver.
Calhan, Colorado is the closest town to the Paint Mines. Just south of Calhan, head east on Paint Mine Road. Can’t miss it!
Click here for a Google Maps link to one of the parking lots.
Unlike the gorgeous mountain and alpine lake hikes Colorado is famous for, the Paint Mines fly a little under the radar. Eastern Colorado has its own special type of beauty that is near and dear to my heart: the prairie. The topography around the Paint Mines has a prairie/badlands feel. The scenery and wildlife it supports is completely different than the mountain hikes we all love!
Paint Mines FAQ
- What hikes are at the Paint Mines? 3.4-mile Paint Mines Interpretive Trail
- Are dogs allowed? Nope. But there is lots of other wildlife to see!
- Are bikes allowed? No. Although there is some great mountain biking in Colorado Springs!
- Is rock climbing allowed? Nope. The hoodoos and spires are clay and prone to erosion. Stay on trails to preserve the unique geology.
- What is there to do at the Paint Mines? Photography, wildlife watching, exploring amazing geology, birdwatching, hiking, trail running, doing cartwheels.
- Is there a restroom? Yes.
- Is there a visitor center? No.
- Any fees? The site is free to enter, and open year round.
Trail Guide: Colorful Colorado’s Paint Mines
Mountain wildflowers are nice and all, but the cosmic colors of the Paint Mines really show off how Colorful Colorado earned its moniker. There is a 3.4-mile interpretive trail that loops throughout the park!
Paint Mines Interpretive Trail Route and Options
The full loop for the Paint Mines Interpretive Trail is a 3.4-mile loop. There are three different parking spots/trailheads along the loop.
The southwestern part of the loop is the most popular, showcasing the colorful rock formations. The more eastern and northern sections of the loop go through prairie habitat. This is the best section to view wildlife and even Pike’s Peak off in the distance.
This super family-friendly Colorado hike takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete for the full loop. However, there are some shortcut trails if you don’t want to hike the entire loop. You can cut the hike in half by taking the shortcut trail just to the north of the rock formations. Another option would be to start at the south parking lot and simply make the hike a short, one-mile out-and-back hike to the rocks.
Paint Mines Trail Difficulty and Terrain
This hike is mostly flat and easy! Great hike for kids and beginner hikers. There is only 330 feet of gain in the entire 3.4-mile loop. The terrain is mostly sand and dirt. It would be a nice one for some easy trail running thanks to its looped route–each stop back at the parking lot is a chance to grab water and snacks.
Throughout the trail, there are interpretive signs at the various sites: Geology, Prehistory, History, and Ecology. There is also an Overlook site easily accessible from the road.
Geology of the Paint Mines (Why They’re So Colorful)
The rock formations of the Paint Mines are sedimentary rocks that are made of different kinds of claystone and siltstone. The sedimentary nature of the rocks is how they obtained their look of a multicolored layer cake. Each layer is a different color made of different minerals. The purple color comes from manganese oxide, while the oranges and yellows got their color from iron oxide (think rust).
Besides the beautiful natural palette of colors that stripe the rocks at the Paint Mines, the shapes of the rocks are the other feature that makes them so unique. Since the sedimentary clay rocks are erodible, the various layers eroded at different rates over time depending on their makeup. The result is canyons and hoodoos of various shapes and colors.
Wildlife and Birding at the Paint Mines
Mammals of Eastern Colorado
The clay rock formations the Paint Mines are known for are a kind of badlands habitat, but they are housed within a vast prairie ecosystem. Prairie mammals such as coyotes, deer, pronghorn, jackrabbits, and a wide diversity of small mammals can be seen in the area.
Paint Mines Birding
Look for songbirds and raptors that inhabit prairie habitats at the Paint Mines. Rock wren, Western meadowlark, horned lark, lark sparrow, mountain bluebird, blue grosbeak and western kingbird are passerines to watch out for. Of the talon-ed variety, look for Swainson’s hawks, prairie falcons, golden eagles, and northern harriers.
Best Times for Wildlife Viewing
Early morning and late evening are the best times of the day to spot mammals and some of the birds. In the warmer months, reptiles like bull snakes and fence lizards can be spotted out sunning themselves during the day.
Archaeological and Cultural Significance
There have been many archaeological finds at the Paint Mines, pointing to human use dating back 9,000 years. Indigenous cultures used the harder rocks to form arrowheads and spear tips. These people also used the badlands here to herd bison during hunting efforts. The archaeological record points to lots of use by indigenous people during the Plains Woodlands stage, from AD 100-1450 (according to one of the signs at the interpretive site).
Tips for Hiking and Visiting the Paint Mines in Colorado
Who says you need to drive way up into the mountains for a scenic Colorado hike? The Paint Mines site is accessible year-round and is an excellent hike for families and kids.
Timing your Visit
Spring: See migrating birds and wildflowers.
Summer: There is little to no shade at the Paint Mines, so be prepared for exposure and hot prairie weather.
Fall: Fewer people visiting at this time of year, enjoy cooler temperatures.
Winter: Visit after a light snowfall for an extra-striking photography opportunity of the rock formations.
Photography
The orange, pink and plum-colored minerals layered through the spires and weathered rocks give them a true southwestern or almost outer-spacey look. The colors and shapes provide a great opportunity for photographers to have some fun.
Early morning and golden hour are good times to photograph the rocks and shadow. Overcast days are the best for really capturing the pop of color in these prairie badlands. For wildlife photographers, springtime is always lovely on the prairies.
As far as photographing the rock formations, there are multiple vantage points to consider. The Paint Mines Interpretive Trail goes through the rock formations themselves. Additionally, the overlook site on the west side of the area provides a more wide-scale photography opportunity.
What to Bring
Since this site is exposed with few trees, be prepared for sun exposure in the summer. Sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and a hat will help.
There is no visitor center or concession stand, so pack a picnic and definitely water.
This is not a rugged trail, so any running/walking shoes or boots will be just fine.
Summary
The Paint Mines Interpretive Site is a great hike close to Denver that would make a unique half-day trip to see some really cool rocks. The hike itself can be cut shorter than the full 3.4-mile loop, but missing out on meandering through the prairie is a bummer in my opinion. If you’re looking for a hike kids will love, unique and colorful geology, plus the opportunity to learn about the people who lived on Colorado’s eastern prairie for thousands of years, the Paint Mines is it!
More Awesome Colorado Hikes
Mount Sopris – Hike near Aspen
Mount Massive – Summit a Fourteener
Tuhare Lakes – Gorgeous secluded alpine lakes hike with waterfalls
Missouri Lakes/Fancy Pass – Challenging wilderness hike with lakes, waterfalls and high passes
