10 Best Things to Do in Woodland Park, Colorado

By VI Staff on January 16, 2019

Named after the abundance of trees near the original town site, the city of Woodland Park is a wonderful place filled with breathtaking scenery, historic sites, and much more. The quaint mountain town has its share of serene sites and attractions, but also has a few surprising and exhilarating places that will thrill the entire family. You’ll be able to explore the beauty and charm of Woodland Park at places such as Manitou Park Lake, the Red Rocks Group Campground, and Rainbow Falls Historic Site. Some of the more unique adventures include taking a walk and having a photoshoot with wolves with Colorado Wolf Adventures or seeing prehistoric fossils at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center. No matter what you choose to do, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable time in Woodland Park.

1.Colorado Wolf Adventures

Colorado Wolf Adventures was started by the former vice president of the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center. It is a wonderful place for people to learn all about wolves, one of the most misunderstood predators in the world. The programs are designed for visitors of all ages, from preschoolers to senior citizens, and will teach you about these wild animals, how you can coexist with them, and why they’re important to the ecosystem. They have several offsite activities you can participate in like photoshoots with wolves and wolf walks, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The walk lasts about an hour into the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado and you’ll leave with at least 200 photos of your adventure.

Woodland Park, CO, Phone: 707-290-5282

2.Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center was established in 2004 and has over 100,000 visitors of all ages each year. The fossil museum has several exhibits dedicated to prehistoric fish, marine reptiles, mammals, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs. Some of their most amazing artifacts include a triceratops prorus skull and of Stellar’s sea cow which was a large herbivorous marine animal that is now extinct. Join one of the museum’s many interactive tours and get hands-on while learning about the casting and molding of fossils at their fossil preparation lab. Other aspects also include a large gift shop where you can leave with a number of unique gifts and souvenirs.

201 South Fairview Street, Woodland Park, CO 80863

3.Manitou Park Lake

A part of the Pike National Forest, Manitou Park Lake has been a popular tourist attraction since the 1800s. The reservoir is the centerpiece of the park and is a famed gathering spot for anglers of all skill levels as it’s constantly stocked with rainbow trout. Since the lake is nestled into a hollow, there’s very little wind, making it a calm and peaceful place to enjoy flat-water paddling. Bird watchers can enjoy paddling out with binoculars and seeing red-tail hawks, redwing blackbirds, and the occasional bald eagles. Afterwards, head out on the surrounding Centennial Trail to enjoy their epic hiking and biking trail.

4.Great Outdoors Adventures

Great Outdoors Adventures is an ATV rental service that lets you explore Woodland Park and its surroundings in one of the most adventurous ways possible. You can rent a 2-seat or 4-seat heated UTV and take yourself on a ride-along tour or enjoy a guided ride through the many trails in Pike National Forest. The ATVs come equipped with a GPS tablet loaded with the trail map to make it easy for first-timers to navigate. It's also one of the best places to rent a fat tire e-bike, which is perfect for exploring the gorgeous outdoors of Woodland Park no matter if the grounds are covered in snow or mud.

19251 E US24, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-686-6816

5.Shining Mountain Golf Course

Recognized as one of Woodland Park’s best public gathering place, the Shining Mountain Golf Course is open to the residents and visitors of the area seasonally. It is the first permanent mountain disc golf/ ball golf course in the state of Colorado. There are three different golf courses to choose from: Serenity Pines, the Whispering Pines Disc Golf Course, and the “Beast” Disc Golf Course. Other aspects of the course include the Shining Mountain Bar & Restaurant, a private event center, and a Pro Shop filled with everything you’ll need for an amazing time out on the green.

100 Shining Mountain Lane, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-687-7587

6.Red Rocks Group Campground

The Red Rocks Group Campground is a rustic group camping site situated amidst a lush ponderosa pine forest. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a serene place to get away to, no matter if you’re in the mood for day camping or staying there overnight. It’s usually open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October weather permitting. The group camping site is operated by the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company and includes amenities such as double vault restrooms and potable water for drinking. Please note that pets are allowed on to the campgrounds but must be leashed at all times.

Red Rocks Campground Road, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-636-1602

7.Rainbow Falls Historic Site

Rainbow Falls Historic Site is a small, gorgeous space near Manitou Springs. Early residents of the area include a band of the Ute Indian tribe and the Tabeguache, or Sun Mountain people. Today, visitors exploring the five-acre area will be able to see the stunning namesake Rainbow Falls as well as a number of smaller waterfalls downstream. Amenities and features of the historic site include a developed parking area, designated picnic benches and temples, and a covered kiosk filled with historical and geological interpretative information. The trails are a wonderful way to exploring the outdoors; stop by the many overlooks to see stunning panoramic views of the surroundings.

CO-67, Woodland Park, CO 80863

8.Hungry Bear Restaurant

Housing fun and friendly bear theme decor, the Hungry Bear Restaurant serves an array of American comfort foods and all-day breakfast plates. Their breakfast specialties are renowned throughout the community, especially their endless array of pancakes. All of the batters are made from scratch and they use top quality ingredients such as fresh milk and fresh large AA eggs. Popular items from their menu are the veggie breakfast sandwich, the large homemade buttermilk pancakes served with butter and warm syrup, and their fruit crepes with your choice of fruit and add-ons like whipped cream, powdered sugar, or walnuts.

111 E Midland Avenue, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-687-5912

9.Swiss Chalet Restaurant

The Swiss Chalet Restaurant is one of the best places in Woodland Park to have a fine dining experience filled with mouthwatering cuisine. They’ve been serving authentic Swiss lunch and dinner options to the community since they opened in 1962. You can choose your pick from a variety of classic and specialty dishes such as grilled salmon with blueberry horseradish sauce, a New York-style steak, Cornish game hen, or veal Zurich with spaetzle. Be sure to keep some room for their famed desserts like the Swiss chocolate crepe, 4-layer chocolate cake, or the home baked apple pie ala mode. No other restaurant can compare to this dining experience as you’ll be overlooking stunning views of America’s Mountain, the historic Pikes Peak.

19263 US-24, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-687-2001

10.Joanie's Bakery & Delicatessen

Recognized as the “Best of Teller 2018”, Joanie’s Bakery & Delicatessen is a wonderful little breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of Woodland Park. Their grilled sandwiches are out of this world and attract patrons from far and wide, especially those who are in the mood for a delicious, no-nonsense meal. All of the food served is made in-house, from scratch, and with the freshest ingredients available. Be sure to try some of their most popular sandwiches such as the Reuben, turkey melt, or the chicken pesto melt. If you’re planning a day hiking and exploring the outdoors, Joanie’s will be more than happy to pack up your meal to go.

110 East Midland Avenue, Woodland Park, CO 80863, Phone: 719-686-9091