COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Spring brings wildflowers and splashes of color to the meadows and mountainsides in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Of course, blooming flowers depend on the work of pollinators and we will be celebrating them in June in a series of special programs for visitors during National Pollinator Week, June 17-23.
Each day of that week, we will be spotlighting a different species that helps to pollinate the plants of CMSP. From honey tastings to butterfly egg hunting, we will have a wide variety of fun activities for you to enjoy. We hope you will celebrate the pollinators with us.
The pollinator programs are part of a packed month of programs as the camping and hiking seasons ramp up at the park.
June Programs 2019
Sunday, June 2
Program: Ask a Naturalist
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Camper Services Outdoor Education Office
Details: Visit Naturalist Lindsey at the Camper Services Outdoor Education Office with all of your nature questions. See what fun activity she has planned for you. All ages are welcome.
Tuesday, June 4
Program: Spring Migration Bird Walk
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Meet the park’s birding expert at the Visitor Center for a moderately-easy hike. Learn what bird species are making their way to Colorado for the warm season. Bringing a pair of binoculars is recommended.
Wednesday, June 5
Program: Junior Ranger Fire Safety
Time: 11 a.m.-noon
Location: Camper Services Activity Room
Details: Do you love outdoor activities and think you have what it takes to be a Junior Park Ranger? Come join the Naturalist for a lesson in fire safety for the next time you want to enjoy a campfire. The Junior Ranger Handbook will be provided at the class thanks to the Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This program is recommended for ages 7-14.
Friday, June 7
Program: Roving Naturalist
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Campground
Details: Keep your eye out for Naturalist Lindsey in the campground. Learn about the weekend events and look for the special object she will be carrying
Saturday, June 8
Program: Fireside Talk
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Site 19
Details: Join Naturalist Lindsey by the campfire at Site 19. She will discuss the sounds you may hear while camping in the Colorado State Parks. This program will last 45 minutes and is recommended for all ages.
Sunday, June 9
Program: Ask a Naturalist
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Camper Services Outdoor Education Office
Details: Visit Naturalist Lindsey at the Camper Services Outdoor Education Office with all of your nature questions. See what fun activity she has planned for you. All ages are welcome.
Tuesday, June 11
Program: Spring Migration Bird Walk
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Meet the park’s birding expert at the Visitor Center for a moderately-easy hike. Learn what bird species are making their way to Colorado for the warm season. Bringing a pair of binoculars is recommended.
Wednesday, June 12
Program: Wildflower Walk
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Wildflower Wednesdays are back. Meet the park’s wildflower expert at the Visitor Center for a moderately easy hike. Learn about the wildflowers that grow in the park seasonally.
Friday, June 14
Program: Roving Naturalist
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Campground
Details: Keep your eye out for Naturalist Lindsey in the campground. Learn about the weekend events and look for the special object she will be carrying.
Program: Fireside Talk
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Site 19
Details: Join us by the campfire of site 19, for an engaging discussion on black bear behavior and why they like “Fast Food.” This program will last about 30 min and cover important safety information when camping in bear country.
Saturday, June 15
Program: Beginner’s Archery Class for Dads & Kids
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
Location: Archery Range
Details: Bring Dad to Class. In honor of Father’s Day, we are encouraging new archery shooters to bring dad along. Whether he’s already a pro or a newbie like the kids, it will be a good time for everyone. All equipment is provided. Ages 8 and up. Space is limited, so call the Visitor Center at 719-576-2016 to save your spot.
Program: Slithering Snakes
Time: 1-1:30 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center Meeting Room
Details: Come to the Visitor Center to learn about the park’s resident snakes. You will have a chance to meet our snake ambassador, Sully. This program is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Program: (Almost) Full Moon Hike
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Limekiln Trailhead
Details: Join our naturalist for a moderately-easy hike for June’s almost full moon. The hike will start at the Limekiln Trailhead. Red cellophane will be provided for those who bring flashlights. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Close-toed shoes are recommended.
Sunday, June 16
Program: Ask a Naturalist
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Camper Services Outdoor Education Office
Details: Visit Naturalist Lindsey at the Camper Services Outdoor Education Office with all of your nature questions. See what fun activity she has planned for you. All ages are welcome.
Monday, June 17
Program: Butterfly Bonanza
Time: 11-11:45 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: We are kicking off National Pollinator Week with butterflies. Join our naturalist at the Visitor Center to learn about the butterflies that can be found in the park. This program will be 45 minutes long. It is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Tuesday, June 18
Program: Spring Migration Bird Walk
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Meet the park’s birding expert at the Visitor Center for a moderately easy hike. Learn what bird species are making their way to Colorado for the warm season. Bringing a pair of binoculars is recommended.
Program: Flying Jewels
Time: 11-11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Hummingbirds may be tiny, but the feats they overcome to survive every season is mighty. Join the Naturalist for a 30 min program discussing these amazing birds and the traits that make them mighty pollinators.
Wednesday, June 19
Program: Magical Moths
Time: 11-11:45 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Join our naturalist to learn about the only species of moth that pollinates the yucca plant. You will have a chance to make your own yucca moth caterpillar to take home with you. This program is recommended for ages 5-12.
Thursday, June 20
Program: Busy Bees
Time: 11-11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Bees are a well-known pollinator, but their intricate society may not be as well-known. Join the naturalist to dive into the secret life of the bee world. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Friday, June 21
Program: Beetles are Pollinators?
Time: 11-11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: That’s right, beetles are pollinators too. Join the naturalist is discuss the different types of beetles that help pollinate the plants at the park. This program is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Program: Roving Naturalist
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Campground
Details: Keep your eye out for Naturalist Lindsey in the campground. Learn about the weekend events and look for the special object she will be carrying.
Saturday, June 22
Program: Honey Tasting
Time: 11 a.m.-noon
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Not all honey tastes the same. Join our naturalist at the Visitor Center to taste different types of honey and learn why they are so different from each other. This program is great for all ages.
Program: Feathered Pollinators
Time: 2-2:45 p.m.
Location: Limekiln Trailhead
Details: Meet our naturalist at the Limekiln Trailhead for an easy half-mile walk. Program is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Sunday, June 23
Program: Ask a Naturalist
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Camper Services Outdoor Education Office
Details: End National Pollinator Week with a buzz. During the hours for Ask a Naturalist, there will be a bee craft available for your enjoyment. Feel free to stop by to ask the Naturalist, Lindsey, your nature questions. This opportunity is fun for all those that are kids at heart.
Program: Life of a Honey Bee Keeper
Time: 1-1:30 p.m.
Location: Camper Services Activity Room
Details: Experience the life of a real honey bee keeper. Hear the story of how Vic Boley became a beekeeper and created his own small business, Boley’s Bee Haven, which was sparked by his interest in gardening and bees. A beehive will be on site to get the full effect of these amazing creatures and all they do for our food supplies.
Wednesday, June 26
Program: Wildflower Walk
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Details: Wildflower Wednesdays are back. Meet the park’s wildflower expert at the Visitor Center for a moderately easy hike. Learn about the wildflowers that grow in the park.
Program: Junior Ranger Birding Binoculars
Time: 11 a.m.-noon
Location: Camper Services Activity Room
Details: Do you love outdoor activities and think you have what it takes to be a Junior Park Ranger? Come join the Naturalist for a lesson in binoculars. This hour long program will have a demonstration and a game to learn the art of birding.
Friday, June 28
Program: Roving Naturalist
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Campground
Details: Keep your eye out for Naturalist Lindsey in the campground. Learn about the weekend events and look for the special object she will be carrying.
Saturday, June 29
Program: Beginner’s Archery Class for Women
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
Location: Archery Range
Details: Learn to shoot like a pro. One on one instruction will help students learn how to shoot or polish up on skills you already have. All equipment is provided. This session is intended for women only, ages 14 and up. Space is limited, so call the Visitor Center at 719-576-2016 to save your spot.
Program: Archery Practice Session
Time: 10:30 a.m.-noon
Location: Archery Range
Details: Phase 2. For those that have completed one of our beginner archery classes, you are welcome to come out and practice those skills you learned. One on one instruction will help students polish up on the basic skills they learned in the beginner session. All equipment is provided. Ages 8 and up. Space is limited, so call the Visitor Center at 719-576-2016 to save your spot.
Program: Trotting Turkeys
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Location: Limekiln Trailhead
Details: Cheyenne Mountain State Park is home to a healthy population of wild turkeys. Join the Naturalist for a 1.5 mile hike to learn all about turkeys. We make have a chance to see the birds in action. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Ongoing Programs
Programs: CMSP Trail Challenge and 100 Mile Trail Challenge
Time: Ongoing. Began Jan. 1 – Ends Dec. 31
Location: Trail System
Details: Join the 800+ participants who have already accepted our challenge. The goal of the Trail Challenge is to complete all 18 of the existing trails for a total of 21.87 miles. Not enough of a challenge for you? The 100 Mile Trail Challenge goal is to log 100 miles of trail within the park. This challenge is a go-at-your-own-pace kind of challenge. A quick sign up is necessary and sign-up sheets will be available at the visitor center during business hours. All miles must be logged and checked off by staff. Completion of the Trail Challenge will earn a special patch and the 100 Mile completers will earn a CMSP Challenge Coin.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Program: Yoga in the Park Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center Meeting Room
Details: Join certified instructor Sudhanshu Semwal for Sankalp Yoga every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Beginners are welcome. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Call 719-576-2016 to confirm classes or sign up for the weekly email reminder.
Donations are appreciated and a valid parks pass is required on all vehicles entering the park.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park is located at 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, south of Colorado Springs, off Colorado Highway 115. From the city, take Nevada Avenue south, which becomes Colorado Highway 115 to JL Ranch Heights Road, opposite the Main Gate 1 entrance to Fort Carson.
Programs are free unless otherwise noted, but vehicles entering the park must have a valid State Parks Pass – $8 daily or $80 annual. For more information, call 719-576-2016 or visit http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/CheyenneMountain/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for events and information.
— Colorado Parks & Wildlife
For more news from Colorado, click here.