“Summer Thrills at Bristlecone Lodge: Your Guide to Woodland Park Adventures”

Perched at 510 State Highway 67 in Woodland Park, Bristlecone Lodge offers cozy cabins, tiny homes and full-hookup RV sites just steps from Pike National Forest. Here, you can fish, hunt, hike and even climb local peaks without leaving the property’s pine-fringed borders.

1. Hit the Trails

• Crags Campground to Devils Playground – A 7.9 mile out-and-back route with rock towers and forest meadows. Moderate terrain rewards you with sweeping panoramic views of Pikes Peak• Lovell Gulch Loop – A 5.2 mile circuit that’s popular with hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Start off County Road 22 to explore aspen groves and mountain streams.• Red Rocks Park Loop – An easy 3.1 mile trail past dramatic sandstone outcrops and wildflower meadows. Perfect for a morning stroll before breakfast.

2. Summit Solutions

For a bucket-list adventure, board the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs. This world-famous train climbs 8.9 miles from 6,570 ft to the 14,115 ft summit of Pikes Peak in just 3.5 hours, no hiking permit needed. If you crave a challenge, hike the 13 mile Barr Trail up and ride the Cog back down.

3. Water & Wildlife

Just an hour’s drive north, Eleven Mile State Park surrounds a 3,400 acre reservoir perfect for kayaking, canoeing or trophy trout fishing. When you need a break from the water, five miles of shoreline trails wind through aspen and pine forests, keep an eye out for mule deer and bald eagles. 

4. Two-Wheel Freedom

Mountain bikers will find over 80 miles of forest roads and singletrack in Pike National Forest. Tackle the Rampart Reservoir Loop for 14 miles of lakeside riding with Pikes Peak views, or test your skills on technical segments around Lovell Gulch.

5. Seasonal Festivities

Woodland Park’s “City Above the Clouds” comes alive each Friday from June through September with the Farmers Market at Memorial Park, fresh produce, crafts and live music. Mark your calendar for the Black Forest Farmers Market on July 26 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center and don’t miss the MeadowGrass Music Festival every late May.

Pro Tips for Summer

Summers here are warm but milder than lower elevations and nights stay cool, pack layers for high-altitude afternoons and brisk evenings. Arrive early at trailheads to beat clouds of afternoon thunderstorms and always carry at least two liters of water per person.

Whether you’re chasing summits, paddling pristine waters or sampling local flavors, Bristlecone Lodge is your springboard to Colorado’s high-mountain playground. Book your stay and make this season one for the memory bank.