Exploring Paint Mines Interpretive Park: A Complete Guide to Hiking & Photography

The first time I visited Paint Mines Interpretive Park, I almost didn’t believe I was still in Colorado.

About an hour east of Colorado Springs, the mountains fade into open plains, and suddenly you’re walking through rainbow-colored hoodoos.

It was a place that quietly blew my mind and nice to have if I want to explore something a little different. No long drive into the Rockies or park entrance fee required, just these really cool rock formations that were carved by time and weather.

I created this guide that covers everything you need to know for your visit: the best time to go, how to get there, what trails to hike, and a few tips for photographing the formations.

Trust me you’ll have some fun with this one. Alright let’s dive in! 

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Exploring Paint Mines Interpretive Park: A COMPLETE Guide to Hiking & Photography

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick cheat sheet for your visit to Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Pretty much, the highlights I’d tell any friend who’s heading there for the first time and are short on time.

Below the mini guide, I go into more information for each of these photo spots and hikes!

Top 3 photo spots

1️⃣ The Main Hoodoo Valley:

This is the main section and the most popular. There are streaks of pink, orange, and white clay twisting through narrow gullies. The colors pop the most right after sunrise or following a rainstorm when the clay is still damp.

2️⃣ The Overlook Trail:

A short walk with a panoramic view of the entire park and the open plains beyond. It’s the best spot for sunset photos.

3️⃣ Hidden Side Gullies:

If you take your time exploring the loop trail, you’ll find tucked-away corners with incredible texture and depth — perfect for intimate detail shots or human-scale photos.

Favorite Hiking Trail: If You Only Have Time For ONE HIKE…

If you only have time for one, hike the Overlook via Interpretive Trail (2.1 mi).

Recommended Time & Season

I personally love visiting in Spring or Fall, when temperatures are cooler and the light hits softer on the formations.

Summer can be beautiful but hot — and the mosquitos are pretty brutal. Winter visits are peaceful and quiet, though trails can be icy after a snow.

If you’re already planning a Colorado Springs adventure itinerary, it pairs perfectly with nearby spots like Garden of the Gods or other favorites from my Day Trips from Colorado Springs post.

Fast Facts About The Park

• Location: About 45 miles east of Colorado Springs, just outside the small town of Calhan, Colorado. It’s an easy drive. It takes about an hour-ish to get there.
  
• Admission: Free!
  
• Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk. They close at night and require a permit if you’re trying to do some astrophotography.
  
• Parking: Two main lots: the lower trailhead (closest to the formations) and the upper overlook. Both are gravel with limited shade.
  
• Dogs: Unfortunately no dogs allowed here (to help protect the fragile clay and wildlife).
  
• Park Rules: Stay on marked trails, don’t climb or touch the formations.
  
• Bathrooms: Restrooms are available near the parking area, but there’s no water, so bring plenty with you.
  
• Wildlife: You’ll probably see prairie dogs, hawks, and the occasional fox roaming the plains.

What Makes This Park So Special?

If you’ve spent most of your Colorado adventures surrounded by evergreens and mountain peaks, Paint Mines Interpretive Park is different. 

These colorful clay formations were carved and layered over millions of years. The iron oxides and oxidized minerals tint the badlands into wild shades of pink, yellow, orange, and white. 

Beyond the beauty, the park carries deep historical and cultural roots. Archaeological evidence shows people lived and gathered clay here over 9,000 years ago, long before the area became a protected site. Indigenous communities once used these natural pigments for pottery and ceremonial use.

It’s one of those rare places that feels both fragile and alive.

Plan Your Visit (The Right Way)

Okay, now let’s actually plan your visit. When I first went to Paint Mines Interpretive Park, I had no idea how big the area was or that there were multiple access points.

So trust me when I say a little prep goes a long way out here. Between the open plains, limited shade, and winding trails, you’ll want to know exactly where you’re headed before you step out of the car.

Directions & How To Get There

There’s no public transportation that reaches the park, so your best option is to rent a car if you’re visiting from out of state.

Parking Trailheads (There Are Two!)

Paint Mines Interpretive Park sits just outside the small town of Calhan.

You’ll start seeing signs for the park about a mile before you hit the turnoff for Paint Mine Road.

There are two main parking areas:

1. Lower Lot (Main Trailhead): Closest access to the hoodoos and main formations. Perfect if you’re short on time or planning to photograph sunrise.
   
2. Upper Lot (Overlook Trailhead): A bit higher up with a wide-open view of the entire valley. It’s great for sunset or if you prefer to start with a birds-eye view.

Best Time to Visit The Park

I’ve been to Paint Mines Interpretive Park in every season, and honestly, Spring and Fall win every time. The temperatures are mild, the colors pop after a little rain, and you won’t melt under the Colorado sun.

Summer can get brutally hot and the mosquitos are relentless. Winter brings peace and solitude but also icy trails and strong winds. 

If you’re going for photography, plan for sunrise or golden hour when the formations glow and the light feels soft. I’ve included more photography tips in the next section!

What To Pack & How To Prepare

Bring plenty of water, even on cooler days. There’s zero shade out there, and no water fountains anywhere. 

Sunscreen, a wide-brim sun hat, and sunglasses are your best friends. I also recommend light layers—it can feel warm one minute and windy the next on the plains.

For shoes, go with sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners you don’t mind getting dirty. The clay can get slick after rain.

Best Hiking Trails & Guided Tours

My Favorite Paint Mines Hiking Trails (w/ Map!)

I’ll be honest, the main trails I would stick to are the ones inside the actual paint mines with maybe the exception of the Overlook Trail. Anything east of that is just open plains and can get a little boring and hot real quick.

My best suggestion is to just park at one of the trailheads, walk down, and wander around. That’s kind of the beauty of this place.

1. Overlook via Interpretive Trail (2.1 mi) *The Best Option*
2. Overlook Trail (short ~0.2 mi trail)
3. Paint Mines Interpretive Trail (3.4 mi loop, ~331 ft gain)

Guided Hikes

While you can just go there and wander around for free, El Paso County occasionally offers guided interpretive hikes.

They’re usually led by park staff and touch on the area’s Indigenous history, wildlife, and unique clay formations. If that’s something you’re interested in, keep an eye on the official El Paso County Parks events page for upcoming guided tours.

Other Nearby Unique Tours

If you’re planning your visit to the Paint Mines and want to add a touch of something extra memorable, I highly recommend booking a sunrise hot-air-balloon ride in the nearby Colorado Springs area.

The views you’ll get are INCREDIBLE!! Think panoramic vistas of plains meeting the Rockies, the soft morning light, and maybe even the morning mist lingering over the canyon rims.

Many hot air balloon tours run from June through September, launching at around sunrise when the air is calm and the sky is clear. This is important for me since I’m a little afraid of heights and don’t like turbulence. Haha!

Here are a few friendly tips to get you ready for the tour:

• Arrive well before sunrise so you don’t miss the inflation and lift-off routines. The crew often invites you to help out, which makes for fun photos.
• Dress in layers: it can feel chilly in the basket early morning, even in summer.
• Bring your camera (or phone) with fully charged battery, the light changes fast and every direction offers something unique.

Best Time for Photography & Photo Spots

You don’t need to be a pro photographer to have fun photographing the Paint Mines but knowing when to go and where to stand can make all the difference. The light, color, and even the mud tell a different story depending on the season.

As a travel photographer for over 5 years, here are my best photo tips!

📸 Highlights & Photo Spots

My favorite area for photography is the main hoodoo valley. The towering clay formations with streaks of pink, orange, and cream look unreal in soft light. 

I also love the Overlook Trail for big, sweeping landscape shots and the contrast of the badlands against the plains. If you wander a bit, you’ll find narrow side gullies that glow in the right light.

📸 Find The Best Light

The colors at Paint Mines change drastically with the light. Sunrise brings a soft, golden warmth across the hoodoos, while sunset paints everything with peach and coral tones. 

Midday light tends to wash out the color, so I usually try not to come during that time, unless you want to come early to find your spots to shoot.

📸 The Best Color Hues & Season To Photograph

Right after a light rain, the formations are at their most vibrant.

In Spring and Fall, the air is clear and the contrast between blue sky and earth tones is magic. Coming during the Winter is great for unique shots too since the white snow against the colored clay looks really beautiful!

📸 Best Ways To Photograph The Paint Mines

Photograph The Stars & Milky Way

If you’re into astrophotography, this is one of the best dark-sky spots near Colorado Springs. The open plains make incredible Milky Way shots over the hoodoos. 

Just make sure you’re prepared: it gets cold in winter and mosquitos are fierce in summer. Bring warm layers, bug spray, a good headlamp, and a downloaded park map on All Trails so you can find your way back safely.

Mindful Travel: Leave No Trace

Every time I visit the Paint Mines, I’m reminded how fragile and sacred this landscape really is. The colors and texture is what makes this place so special. 

Please practice Leave No Trace. 

Stay on marked trails, try not to cause more erosion of the clay, and pack out everything you bring in, don’t leave any trash.

Traveling mindfully means slowing down, noticing more, and leaving places better than we found them. If you want to learn more about what mindful travel means on my travel blog, you can learn more about that here.

Frequently Asked Questions

✔️ Is Camping Allowed There?

Unfortunately no, camping isn’t allowed inside the park. It’s a protected archaeological site.

 The park opens at dawn and closes at dusk, so plan your visit around those hours. If you want to stay nearby, your best bet is booking a spot in eastern Colorado Springs.

✔️Are There Restrooms Or Water?

Yes, there are restrooms near the parking area, but no running water, so make sure to bring your own. There’s also no food, other than the restaurants in Calhan. It’s pretty remote so pack what you need before heading out.

✔️ Do I Need A Permit To Take Photos?

If you’re taking photos for personal use, you’re good to go. 

But if you’re doing commercial or paid sessions (like portraits or brand shoots) and astrophotography, you’ll need a permit from El Paso County Parks. They’re pretty strict about it here to protect the land.

You can find the form and fee details on their website.

✔️ Is It Accessible or Difficult To Hike?

Overall, the trails are easy with just a few short inclines. 

I’d say, most people can comfortably explore the main loop and overlook sections. 

However, the trail surface is uneven clay, and it can get slick after rain, so it’s not ideal for wheelchairs or strollers. Just make sure to bring good walking shoes and you should be fine.

✔️ How Much Time Do I Need To Visit?

Give yourself 1-2 hours to enjoy it without rushing. That’s enough time to hike the main loop, take photos, and linger at the overlook for sunset.

If you’re pairing it with another adventure, it makes a perfect half-day trip from Colorado Springs, especially when combined with nearby spots like Garden of the Gods or Balanced Rock.

Final Thoughts – Where Are You Going Next?

So there you go! An easy guide and everything you need to know before visiting Paint Mines Interpretive Park. All in all, it’s a pretty easy park to explore and nothing you should be too worried about. 

I will say, every time I visit the park, I am reminded how pretty this park is. The way the light shifts across the clay. It can be really pretty to bring your camera & have fun photographing .

As mentioned earlier, If you’re visiting from Colorado Springs, it’s an easy half-day adventure just east of town.

If you’re planning more local adventures in Colorado Springs though, here is a great guide on Fun things to do in Colorado Springs for adults. I’m sure you’ll find something else that’s fun in there for your trip!