Fall in Colorado Springs - Best Spots for Autumn Photography

Top Fall Foliage Photography and 'Leaf Peeping' Locations Around Colorado Springs

Fall in Colorado Springs transforms into a spectacular canvas of fall foliage each autumn. While some leaves are already beginning to drop, I'm excited to share my favorite local photography spots for capturing the vibrant fall foliage in the Pikes Peak region.

During the autumn months, I typically spend a lot of time in the mountains of Colorado. However, Colorado Springs has some nice areas to catch fall colors. These spots are perfect not only for landscape photography but also for anyone wanting to enjoy fall colors or capture doing autumn family portraits.

Fall Colors in North Cheyenne Cañon Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/4 sec, f/14, ISO 320 at 30mm

North Cheyenne Cañon Park in Colorado Springs

One of my favorite areas in Colorado Springs for fall colors and first on the list is North Cheyenne Cañon Park, 2120 S Cheyenne Canon Rd. This park hosts a web of hiking trails, North Cheyenne Creek, historic mining roads, including tunnels and bridges, and many areas of fall colors.

Located just west of the Broadmoor Resort, the park's main entrance offers convenient parking. Just beyond the visitor center, you'll find one of the park's photogenic highlights: a historic bridge overlooking North Cheyenne Creek with some great opportunities to catch the autumn foliage. This is a great spot for portrait and family photos as well.

As you wander a bit further up the trail, there are groves of scrub oak under the fir trees.

Autumn Foliage in North Cheyenne Cañon Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/13 sec, f/22, ISO 250 at 24mm

Continuing up the trail, there are multiple access points to the creek that present you with fall colors photo opportunities. I love long exposure photography and will usually stop at any spot with fall water :)

Fall Colors - North Cheyenne Cañon Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/20 sec, f/16, ISO 250 at 40mm

This is a canyon of course, so lighting can be difficult. I find mornings and afternoons to have the best light. Just don't wait until sunset, because the canyon loses a lot of light after the sun crests over the mountains.

This photo of the fall foliage was captured just after sunrise in the middle of the canyon.

Fall Foliage and North Cheyenne Creek in North Cheyenne Cañon Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/10 sec, f/18, ISO 400 at 16mm

Helen Hunt Falls is a few miles up the canyon. There is a small parking area, and the waterfall is near the old visitor center building, 3440 N Cheyenne Canon Rd. The leaves in this area turn to fall colors a little earlier than they do in lower elevations of the canyon, so an early fall visit up here is a good idea.

Fall Colors at Helen Hunt Falls - Sony A7RM3 - 1/2 sec, f/22, ISO 50 at 48mm

Rock Ledge Ranch near Garden of the Gods

Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Rd. A historic living history museum, is located adjacent to Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Rock Ledge Ranch offers numerous spots for capturing fall colors and multiple nice subjects for landscape and nature photos, and also a popular spot for family and portrait photography.

One highlight is a small pond bordered by large trees. During my visit last fall, I discovered this perfect reflection scene while exploring the grounds. Though other photographers were present, patience yielded the shot I wanted. The mirror-like water created stunning reflections, and by positioning my camera low to the water's surface while carefully composing to eliminate distractions at the edges, I captured this serene autumn and fall colors scene.

Fall Colors at Rock Ledge Ranch - Sony A7RV - 1/13 sec, f/16, ISO 100 at 44mm

Fall Foliage Reflection at Rock Ledge Ranch - Sony A7RV - 1/3 sec, f/16, ISO 100 at 65mm

Just a bit north of the pond is this white barn. I found that there are lots of distractions around the barn. So, it was best to photograph through the autumn trees on a nearby trail.

Fall Foliage at Rock Ledge Ranch Barn - Sony A7RM3 - 0.6 sec, f/18, ISO 200 at 133mm

Continuing on the trail you can find this reconstructed cabin. Near the cabin there is a livestock corral, an outhouse and a dirt oven (not sure if that is the correct terminology).

Colorado Springs Fall Colors at Rock Ledge Ranch - Sony A7RM3 - Multiple photos focus-stacked

Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs

While you are at the ranch, you might as well wander into Garden of the Gods Park, 1805 N 30th St. There are multiple walking trails that connect to the park so you can wonder into the park to find more fall colors.

Fall Foliage in Garden of the Gods Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/10 sec, f/16, ISO 250 at 59mm

There are not a lot of deciduous trees in the park, but you can find some fall foliage around the park so you can capture some nice photos. This scene below was captured from the parking lot at the main entrance to the park.

Fall Colors at Garden of the Gods Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 200 at 96mm

Manitou Springs

Just north of Garden of the Gods Park is the small town of Manitou Springs. There are no large forests here, but you can still find some nice parks with fall colors perfect for fall colors photoshoots.

This is a late afternoon view of Fountain Creek.

Fall Colors at Fountain Creek in Manitou Springs - Sony A7RM3 - 3.2 sec, f/18, ISO 50 at 89mm

Bear Creek Nature Park - Colorado Springs

This park has many grass fields, a community garden, a dog park, and walking trails through forested areas. There is also a small creek, that if you time it right, could yield some interesting fall colors views. Address: 245 Bear Creek Road

Fall Foliage in Colorado Springs at Bear Creek Regional Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 200 at 96mm

Fall Colors at Bear Creek Regional Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/30 sec, f/11, ISO 250 at 16mm

Make sure to catch to trail winding through the trees and along the creek on the east side of the park.

Autumn Foliage on a walking trail in Bear Creek Regional Park - Sony A7RM3 - 1/15 sec, f/20, ISO 200 at 16mm

America the Beautiful Park

Fall colors at America the Beautiful Park in Downtown Colorado Springs. This is a small park, but it has a nice view of Pikes Peak from the park. Address: 126 Cimino Dr.

Fall Colors at America the Beautiful Park - Sony A7RM3 - 0.5 sec, f/16, ISO 100 at 73mm

Broadmoor and Lake Avenue - Colorado Springs

There are multiple areas around the Broadmoor Resort, 1 Lake Avenue. One that I really like is on Lake Avenue, there is a long line of trees with nice fall colors that lead right to the main Broadmoor hotel.

Fall Foliage at The Broadmoor - Sony A7RM3 - 1/160 sec, f/16, ISO 400 at 63mm

Upper Gold Camp Road - AKA, the long back road to Victor & Cripple Creek

This road is mostly an old gravel mining road. The road can be rough at times, there are hills and many turns. It can take a few hours to drive it, and that is without stopping for fall colors photos. There are a few nice scenic spots, so be ready to pull over when you see a good shot of the autumn scenery.

Fall Colors on Upper Gold Camp Road - Sony A7RM3 - 1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200 at 61mm

I hope you've enjoyed this tour of Colorado Springs' best fall color destinations. While I've shared my favorite fall foliage leaf peeping spots, our city offers many more locations to experience autumn's splendor, including:

• Quail Lake

• Monument Valley Park

• Cottonwood Creek Recreation Area

• Memorial Park

• Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Pro tip: Peak fall colors typically occur between mid to late October in Colorado Springs, with higher elevations changing first. Remember to check local weather forecasts and park websites before visiting, as conditions can vary year to year.

Have a favorite fall spot I didn't mention? Share your experiences in the comments below! Happy leaf peeping!

Fine more of my Colorado Springs photos in my galley here:

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