Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center facts for kids
Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center is a large park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It's a fantastic spot for outdoor fun! You can find trails here for hiking, horseback riding, running, and even cycling. The park also has a special nature center and the main offices for El Paso County Parks.
Inside the park, you'll discover lots of sports areas. There are tennis courts, soccer fields, and basketball courts. You can also find an archery range. A big part of the park is set aside just for dogs to play freely. Many areas, like restrooms and picnic spots, are easy to use for people in wheelchairs.
At the park's east side, a short trail called the Bear Creek Trail connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway. This is a longer trail system. On the west side, another trail links up to the higher-elevation Bear Creek Cañon Park.
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Park History: A Look Back
For many years, from the late 1800s until the early 1980s, the land where Bear Creek Park now sits was used differently. It was once a place where people lived and grew their own food in gardens.
Back in 1873, a main trail to the Pikes Peak Signal Station started near Manitou Springs. This trail, about 17 miles long, went right through the Bear Creek Cañon area. It also passed by places like Seven Lakes and Jones Park.
Exploring Bear Creek Park's Areas
The Nature Center: Learn About Nature!
The nature center is on the park's west side, off 26th Street. It's a cool place to learn about nature. You can watch videos, join special programs, and attend events.
You can walk the trails around the nature center by yourself or with a guide. Signs along the trails teach you about the park's animals and plants. Please remember, horses, pets, and bikes are not allowed on these specific nature center trails. The nature center is open from Wednesday to Saturday all year.
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The Nature Center building.
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Another view of the Nature Center.
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Inside the Nature Center.
Bear Creek Terrace: Fun and Games!
Bear Creek Terrace is the busiest part of the park. It has many things to do! You'll find a picnic area with five covered spots (pavilions). There are also three play fields for games, a volleyball area, and horseshoe pits.
If you like archery, there's a range here. Plus, you can play tennis on one of the eight tennis courts. These courts are located at 2201 Argus Boulevard.
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A play field with a playground in the background.
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Tennis courts at Bear Creek Terrace.
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A playground and picnic area for families.
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Picnic area with trails nearby.
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A "Vita course" for exercise.
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The archery range where you can practice.
Bear Creek East: Relax by the Creek!
Bear Creek East is another lovely part of the park. It also has a picnic area, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a volleyball court. The beautiful Bear Creek flows right through this section.
The main offices for the El Paso County Parks Department are located in Bear Creek East. This area is found east of 21st Street.
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A picnic pavilion in Bear Creek East.
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A picnic area and playground in Bear Creek East.
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Trails in Bear Creek East.
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More trails to explore.
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The El Paso Parks Headquarters building.
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A community garden in the park.
Bear Creek Dog Park: A Place for Pups!
The Bear Creek Dog Park is a huge, 24-acre area just for dogs! It has a 3⁄4 mile loop trail where owners and their pets can walk. There are also pools in the creek where dogs can splash and play.
A small holding pen is near the restrooms. There's also a special fenced area just for smaller dogs. About half of the dog park is fenced off from the rest of the park. This helps keep dogs safe and prevents problems with other park visitors. The dog park is located at 21st Street and Rio Grande. A group of volunteers, called Friends of Bear Creek Dog Park, helps support this area.
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The entrance to the Bear Creek Dog Park.
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Dogs enjoying the park.
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Trails within the dog park.
Things to Do at Bear Creek Park
Park Trails: Explore on Foot or Hoof!
The nature trails are perfect for hiking. Please remember, pets are not allowed on these specific trails. However, on the regional trails, you can hike, walk your dog on a leash, or even ride a horse!
The park is full of beautiful plants and trees. You'll see tall ponderosa pines and cottonwood trees. There are also scrub oak bushes, grassy prairies, and open meadows. A mountain creek flows through the park, adding to its beauty. All trails are open from sunrise to sunset every day.
A short, 0.4-mile trail, called the Bear Creek Trail, connects the park's east side to the Pikes Peak Greenway. You can get onto the trails from the nature center, the picnic areas, or the parking lot at 21st Street.
Horseback Riding: Ride the Trails!
If you love horses, you can start your horseback riding adventure at the Penrose Equestrian Center. It's located on Rido Grande, off 8th Street. The trails are wide and made of gravel, which makes them good for riding even in winter.
You can ride your horse through the park, crossing creeks and going over hills. The trail goes all the way to 21st Street. You can even ride into "section 16," which has steeper hills for a challenge. Remember, these trails are shared with cyclists and hikers, so be mindful of others.
Birdwatching: Spot Feathered Friends!
Bear Creek Park is a great place for birdwatching! You might see colorful birds like the lesser goldfinch or the tiny broad-tailed hummingbird. Look for the spotted towhee and the smart Woodhouse's scrub jay. You might even spot a common raven.
In May, during migration, you could see vireos, flycatchers, and western tanagers. Also keep an eye out for yellow, Virginia's, and orange-crowned warblers. In the fall, it's a good time to spot towhees, jays, juncos, Say's phoebes, red crossbills, and pine siskins. During winter, you might see Ducks, raptors, bald eagles, wild turkeys, and rough-legged hawks. Many other types of birds have been seen here too!
Wildlife: Meet the Animals!
The park is home to many wild animals. Keep an eye out for coyotes, mule deer, and even elk that sometimes roam through the park.
Park Events
Bear Creek Park hosts fun events throughout the year:
- July - Summer Roundup Trail Run 12K (a long trail run)
- August - Colorado Springs 5K Run (a shorter run)
Other events include the BRC Down and Dirty Trail Series, the Sand Creek Mountain Bike Series, and the Fall Series.
