The Cave of the Winds

The Cave of the Winds is an absolute must-see for any visitor to Colorado Springs. As most of our attractions are, the caves are accessible year-round. In fact, the caves stay the same temperature (54 degrees) no matter what season. The activities the Cave of the Winds offers are for any age, and everyone is guaranteed to have a lot of fun during their visit.

The visitor center and gift shop perches upon a cliff face that overlooks Williams Canyon. Hiking is available in the canyon and highly recommended. You must sign a waiver to go into the canyon, and it is quite a hike. If you look down from the gift shop you will see a switchback in the old road, and there is a trail at that switchback which leads to waterfalls.

The Cave of the Winds has quite a bit of history, which the tour guides will be happy to share with you.  The guided tours through the caves are packed with information, and the tour guides are always fun. The caves themselves have interesting and beautiful formations, which the guides explain and answer questions. There are usually options of different types of tours to take, depending on how much adventure you really want to partake.

The visitor center and gift shop at Cave of the Winds has amazing overlook decks that show unforgettable views of Williams Canyon and the Front Range. Even if you don’t want to go on the tours or other activities that are offered, the view alone is worth a visit to Cave of the Winds. There are activities for the kids, such as gemstone panning and play land. Now I haven’t seen their Wind Walker Challenge course, but will update after I go try it. Looks like the Wind Walker is not for the faint of heart – as you go over an obstacle course suspended in the air. Yikes!

I want share that, as a teenager, I had the joy of working at Cave of the Winds. I was a tour guide (I still remember my speech), gift shop employee and mascot. Back in the 90’s their mascot was a big purple dinosaur, and it was fun dressing up for the kids. I learned all of the cave terminology, experienced places in the caves not open to the public, and watch mountain goats climb on the cliff faces surrounding the caves. One of the best jobs I ever had as a teenager!

How to get there: From I-25 take Exit 141 (Cimmaron) and head west. After about 6 miles, you are going to see the sign for Cave of the Winds on your right.