Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Bands of pink, orange, white and other colors run through fragile clay formations, spires and hoodoos just south of Calhan. The landscape is striking, but its human story reaches back thousands of years.

Why it matters

El Paso County describes roughly 750 acres with about four miles of trails and evidence of human life at the site going back thousands of years. The colorful clays were collected by Indigenous peoples, and the area is protected for both its geological formations and archaeological importance.

Know before you go

There is no drinking water at the park and shade is limited. Trails are dirt and gravel over uneven terrain. Pets, horses, bicycles and drones are prohibited. Visitors must stay on designated trails and may not climb, scramble on or enter the formations.