Waterfalls, lakes, creeks, hideaways: Where to beat the heat in and around Colorado Springs

While the summer heat lays thick in the city, refreshing waters await around Colorado Springs and across the foothills.

Some destinations for your consideration:

North Cheyenne Cañon Park

You can opt to stay low, by the Starsmore Nature Center, and enjoy the creek that runs parallel to Lower Columbine Trail. Or you can go higher to Helen Hunt Falls, conveniently accessible by car.

Or go higher to the top parking lot, where you can reach the creek-touring Seven Bridges Trail. Farther on is St. Mary’s Falls. Visitors earn the cool spray of the cascade; at least you’ll have some shade for the roughly 6-mile out-and-back venture.

South Suburban ReservoirNear the base of North Cheyenne Cañon is Stratton Open Space. Starting from the parking lot and trailhead off Ridgeway Avenue, one can hike or ride a bike to this body of water that reflects the craggy majesty of Cheyenne Mountain. It’s popular among splashing dogs.

Seven Falls

Locals often leave it for the tourists, who pay a fee to see it. The Broadmoor calls it “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado,” and the claim has merits — seven, to be exact. The silvery cascades rush down the canyon walls one after the other beside a staircase.

Catamount FallsThis is a small but mighty waterfall that tumbles over rocks beside Catamount Trail in Green Mountain Falls. It’s a rejuvenating break early along the trail, which continues to a splendid meadow called Garden of Eden.

South Catamount Reservoir

The Catamount Trail leads to the reservoir, which is more commonly reached via the Pikes Peak Highway. The mountain looms over the water, surrounded by the woods where more trails roam. Many stay put with a fishing pole in hand. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a picnic spot with a better view.

Rampart Reservoir

East of Woodland Park, high off Rampart Range Road, this is a go-to for boaters and anglers. If not by car, the Rainbow Gulch Trail is a great way to get to the reservoir. It’s an idyllic retreat through a stream-fed valley, before the trail circles the shores.

Manitou Lake

It’s not the place Dr. William Bell envisioned in the 1870s — a world-class destination of hotels, casinos and horse stables. But maybe Manitou Lake is better as it is, largely left alone. The serene nook is tucked amid the pines north of Woodland Park. Views of Pikes Peak and the rocky face of Devil’s Head along the loop trail.

Colorado Springs lakes

In the city, we need not go far to enjoy water. Close to downtown, there’s Prospect Lake, where swimming is allowed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and where stand-up paddleboarding looks to be the most popular activity many days. To the south, there’s Quail Lake, another option for non-motorized boating.

Sinton Pond

The description found in our Happy Trails series, spotlighting the region’s outdoors: “a surprising, wild oasis a stone’s throw from Interstate 25.” Melvin Sinton’s old homestead is now a city preserve hiding off the Pikes Peak Greenway. Along the short loop trail, people might rest under the shade with a book.

Palmer Lake

The dream of Colorado Springs founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer prevails: the hamlet to the north is a refreshing getaway for city dwellers.

You can hang by the lake in the heart of town, or venture a bit farther to the scenic reservoirs glistening by a steep trail.

Manitou Creek Path

In Manitou Springs, the mineral waters are the traditional way to cool down; they spout from wells around town. The Creek Path also does the trick. From Memorial Park, the path runs east, following Fountain Creek under the trees to the duck pond at Schryver Park and continues on sidewalk to splendid waterways in Fields Park.

Fountain Creek Regional Trail

At last visit, we caught the trail from the northwest side of Fountain Creek Regional Park, at the trailhead at the end of Duckwood Road. The creekside trail weaves beneath tall cottonwoods and past quaint ponds en route to the Fountain Creek Nature Center.