For a truly unique destination, look no further than the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Colorado. Walking amongst it’s colorful clays and Mars-like topography, you’ll feel transported to another planet.
The Paint Mines are off the beaten path, but the perfect place for a day trip from Colorado Springs or Denver. This hidden gem is often overshadowed by locations in more populous or highly trafficked parts of the state, but the natural wonders of the Paint Mines are sure to impress.
Leave it to the Paint Mines to remind you of exactly why Colorado is nicknamed “Colorful Colorado.”
IN THIS POST YOU WILL FIND…
- WHAT ARE THE PAINT MINES?
- GETTING TO THE PAINT MINES
- PARK OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES
- HIKING THE PAINT MINES
- DO NOT DO THIS AT THE PAINT MINES!
- WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO THE PAINT MINES
WHAT ARE THE PAINT MINES?
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is the home of fantastic geological formations called hoodoos and spires. The name of the Park comes from the colorful clays found in the rock formations that were once used by Native Americans to make paint. Here, you’ll see brightly colored bands in the clayish rocks, caused by oxidized iron compounds.
The bright red, orange, and yellow layers of clay make this beautiful place a photographer’s dream and an Instagram-worthy landscape.
Beyond just being impressive to the eyes, the Park’s archaeological significance of the artifacts should not be overlooked. Once the home of American Indians, researchers at the Paint Mines Park have found evidence of human life here as far back as 9,000 years ago.
Interpretive signage along the Park trails provides facts and tidbits of information about the historic artifacts and geology of the site.
For more information and the brochure for the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, CLICK HERE.
GETTING TO THE PAINT MINES
Whether you’re starting in Colorado Springs or Denver, the Paint Mines are just a drive away. While the Park is located in a very rural part of Colorado, the short drive from these major cities makes the Paint Mines Interpretive Park an easy (and worthwhile!) day trip destination.
The address for the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is 29950 Paint Mines Road in the Town of Calhan, Colorado.
If you’re not familiar with Calhan, it is a very small town to the Northeast of Colorado Springs and Southeast of Denver. Calhan is located in eastern El Paso County, the same county as Colorado Springs. It is located in the eastern side of the county where it is very rural. Calhan is so small that it’s reported population for the 2010 U.S. Census was just 780.
FROM COLORADO SPRINGS
The Paint Mines Park is located Northeast of Colorado Springs. Getting to Paint Mines Interpretive Park from Colorado Springs is just an easy drive of less than one hour.
Step-by-Step Directions Starting from Colorado Springs:
(You can find Google Maps with detailed turn-by-turn directions by clicking HERE.)
- Take US-24 E / E Platte Avenue heading east from Colorado Springs.
- Stay on US-24 E for about 28 miles.
- Turn right onto Yoder Street.
- Continue onto N Calhan Highway.
- Turn left onto Paint Mine Road.
- The main parking lot for Paint Mines Interpretive Park will be on the left.
FROM DENVER
From Denver, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located to the Southeast. Depending on your exact starting location, you can get to the Paint Mines from Denver in less than 2 hours.
Step-by-Step Directions Starting from the south side of Denver:
(You can find Google Maps with detailed turn-by-turn directions by clicking HERE.)
- Take I-25 S towards Colorado Springs for about 47 miles.
- Take exit 163 for County Line Rd toward Palmer Lake.
- Turn left onto S County Line Road / Palmer Divide Road and continue on for about 5 miles.
- Turn right onto CO-83 S and continue on for about 4 miles.
- Turn left onto Hodgen Road and continue for about 10 miles.
- Turn right onto Eastonville Road and continue for about 2 miles.
- Turn left onto Murphy Road and continue for about 5 miles.
- Turn right onto Peyton Highway and continue for about 1 mile.
- Turn left to stay on Peyton Highway.
- Turn left onto US-24 E and continue on for about 10 miles.
- Turn right onto Yoder Street.
- Continue onto N Calhan Highway.
- Turn left onto Paint Mine Rd.
- The parking areas and main entrance for Paint Mines Interpretive Park will be on the left.
ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVED
Despite the signs telling you you’ve arrived at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, you will probably still question whether you are in the right place.
From the parking lot, the land around the Park looks flat and prairie-like. The Park is in the Eastern Plains, so it looks like nothing but flat land all around you. It’s only once you start following the hiking trails from the parking lot that you will start to see the ground open up and the amazing rock formations pop out.
COLORADO ROAD TRIP
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a great bonus destination for almost any Colorado road trip. Check out my blog COLORADO’S NATIONAL PARKS: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER VACATION ROAD TRIP for the guide to seeing all 4 of Colorado’s National Parks. The Paint Mines would be a great addition to the loop on the return drive towards Denver!
PARK OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES
Paint Mines Interpretive Park is managed by El Paso County and is one of the County’s most unique open spaces. Because is it County operated, you will not find the amenities you might associate with a National Park or a State Park.
Visitors to the Park are welcomed from dawn to dusk year-round. You will find some impressive night photography from the Paint Mines, but the best way to see the Paint Mines is during the day when you can see all of the beautiful colors of the clay.
We visited the Paint Mines last year (in 2020) and, just because of the rest of the day’s schedule, we did not get there until mid-late afternoon. The sun was high and very bright. I would recommend trying to get to the Park sometime closer to dawn or dusk in order to avoid the harsh mid-day sun for photo purposes.
The Park’s facilities are minimal. There is a restroom at the main entrance parking lot. It is a basic Colorado trail-style bathroom – essentially a toilet seat atop a sewage tank. It’s rustic to put it nicely.
Along the hiking trail, closer to the main entrance parking lot, there are picnic tables available. Like the rest of the Park facilities, it’s a very “no frills” picnic area.
That is the extent of the facilities for the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. There is no ranger station, store or gift shop, so make sure you arrive with any food and necessities.
HIKING THE PAINT MINES
At the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, you will find 4 miles of trails to explore the Park and it’s geological wonders.
The main hiking trail is the Paint Mines Trail. This trail will take you around the majority of the park so you can enjoy all of the best views. It is an easy hike on a 3.5 mile loop trail. With very little elevation gain, the hike is family-friendly and good for hikers of all skill levels.
The park features interpretive signs along the trails to give you a better understanding of the importance of the history and geology of the Park and its rock formations.
Because of its diverse ecological system, the wildlife in the park is also diverse. Keep a lookout for wildlife ranging from coyote, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope to rabbits, falcons and songbirds.
DO NOT DO THIS AT THE PAINT MINES!
Take one look at the geological wonder that is the Paint Mines and you will want to do your part to protect this fragile environment.
For this reason there are quite a few restrictions at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Dogs and horses are prohibited. No bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed either, so you will have to explore this park purely on foot. Camping is not allowed and, like all other trails, pack out what you pack in.
Finally, DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROCK FORMATIONS! This is critical to the preservation of the Park.
It may be tempting to climb on the rock formations. You want to get the shot to show off the Paint Mines on Instagram. I’ll be the first to tell you, though, that the people posting pictures of themselves on top of hoodoo rock formations really just look like selfish jerks. Just don’t do it. Be like a local and show you care more for the Earth than just doing it for “the ‘Gram”.
By following these simple rules we can all help preserve the Paint Mines for future generations. After all, don’t you want your children and your children’s children to someday admire these same rock structures?!
WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO THE PAINT MINES
The Paint Mines are located in a very remote area in Colorado. The closest town, Calhan, offers very few options for food or other amenities.
Make sure you pack any and all necessities for the day as you won’t be able to purchase anything once you’re at the Park.
The top necessities for a trip to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park are:
SUNSCREEN
There is no sun protection at the Park, so you will be directly in the sun for the entire time you are at the Park. The Colorado sun is strong, so make sure you put on that sunscreen. My favorite mineral based sunscreen is Blue Lizard.
WATER
Bring plenty of water, taking into consideration the heat, sun and hiking that may be involved. There are no water fountains available. Our favorite lightweight water bottles are from Nomader and Embrava.
FOOD
Pack a lunch and whatever other snacks or fuel you may need for the day. Again, nothing is available for purchase at the Park, so you need to plan accordingly. My favorite easy-to-transport snack for packing a big protein punch are CLIF Bars. My favorite is the peanut butter flavor and (BONUS!) it won’t melt in the heat.
SUN GEAR
Since you will be totally unprotected from the sun at the Paint Mines, other sun gear like a UPF shirt and a hat is highly recommended. We especially love the below sun hat for our daughter because the brim holds its shape and it keeps so much sun off her face and neck.
HIKING SHOES
The trails around Paint Mines Interpretive Park are dirt trails. While hiking shoes are not required for the Park, they would certainly make your feet more comfortable and give you a more solid footing for walking up the slight inclines. Plus, the Park is located in the Eastern Plains and has a desert feel, complete with cacti. Hiking shoes will protect your toes from prickly sticks and thorns. Our favorite hiking shoes are listed below. We’ve each put some miles on these shoes and have no complaints!
Now that you know all you need to know about the Paint Mines, add this great place as a destination on your ultimate Colorado road trip. Check out my blog COLORADO’S NATIONAL PARKS: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER VACATION ROAD TRIP for all the details on seeing all FOUR (!!) of Colorado’s National Parks.
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